Doing battle with a smallmouth bass on a fly rod is one of the most exciting events in the outdoor world. And it’s not easy. First you have to lure the bass into striking, and then you have to have almost perfect timing to set the hook and drive the barb home. Throughout the battle you must keep constant pressure as the fish leaps 4, 5 or 6 times. To land even a 14-inch smallmouth on a fly rod is … [Read more...]

On a tidal river like the Potomac, sometimes a good tide isn’t everything. It’s the only thing. Capt. Steve Chaconas notes that the tides are right - right now. “Grass is thick and there's plenty of bait,” Steve said. “Take advantage of early morning lower tides and cover water. Water is still in the low 80s, but cooling and there will be sunny skies all week with temperatures falling into the … [Read more...]

Dave Gladwell of Goode and Glen Busch of Lynchburg had a smallmouth trip lined up with Guide Matt Miles on two occasions this summer, and both times the trips were postponed due to high water. This Wednesday, the pair of veteran fly fisherman finally connected with both Miles and a cooperative Mother Nature and the wait was well worthwhile. Glen scored with the big fish, a 20-inch smallmouth. … [Read more...]

Walleyes are generally considered a cold water species. Many anglers fish for the toothy predators in January and February. But it seems as though the walleyes in Lake Orange like warm water just fine. Despite a lake temperature in the mid-80’s, Lake Orange anglers are catching lots of walleyes, nice fish up to 7 pounds. Darryl Kennedy of Angler’s Landing at Lake Orange says the walleyes have … [Read more...]

A local angler, Tim Walts of Crozet, could care less if the smallmouth are taking Zoom Flukes on the James. That’s because Tim is looking for something a little bigger, like 6 or 8 times bigger than a citation smallmouth. Tim is after catfish, big flathead catfish, and this past week he caught such a specimen. Says Tim: “I was lucky enough to land this 43” monster last weekend on the James … [Read more...]

Through the years, the Chickahominy River has earned the reputation as a great spot for lots of bass. It’s the river many tournament anglers fish to increase the number of bass in their bags at weigh-in time. The Chick is not known as a “big bass” river. Well, don’t tell that to Shawn Shaefer from Pennsylvania. On a recent visit at Campers Paradise in Lanexa, Shawn fished just down river from camp … [Read more...]

Here it is, almost August, and trout fishing is holding up despite the recent heat wave. Virginia has been blessed with regular rainfalls and cooling-off periods throughout the summer. Harry Murray of Murray’s Fly Shop reported that the stocked and delayed harvest streams on the western side of the Blue Ridge are in decent shape, with normal levels and temperatures running around 68. The brookie … [Read more...]

The bass are pouting with the arrival of hot water and the crappie have moved to deep brush in up to 30 feet of water, but the striper fishing now at Buggs Island Lake is on fire. Bobby Whitlow at Bobcat’s in Clarkesville said that recent striper action has been the best of the year, but anglers are having to go deep for their catches. The stripers are being caught at depths of 40 to 50 feet in 80 … [Read more...]

Freshwater fishing is up and down throughout Virginia with one exception – catfish. The whiskered bottom feeders are hitting cut bait, chicken livers and home concoctions across the sate. One hotspot has been, and continues to be, Lake Orange, Darryl Kennedy at Angler’s Landing Marina at Lake Orange reports that the catfish action has been excellent all week following the Fourth of July. … [Read more...]

Mossy Creek Fly Fishing Guides have been putting some James River muskies in the boat. Bob Cramer, pictured above, caught and released a handsome fish. Below are some suggestions from MC Guides. With the recent hot weather let’s all be responsible with these big fish. We recommend everyone getting a stream thermometer and keep it in their boats all summer. Please respect all Virginia’s musky … [Read more...]