Smith River Virginia Fishing Report: 12/20/24
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Fly and Gear ordering and delivery: We can get flies to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Please see the bottom of this column for ordering options.
We have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes that make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
Type of Stream
Tailwater/Freestone Stream
Species
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
Brook Trout
(Wild and Stocked)
Size
Medium width – 15 mile long tailwater
Location
South Central Virginia
Nearest Towns
Martinsville
Season
Year-round
Access:
Good
Non-Resident License
State of Virgina
Weather
National Weather Service Link
USGS Real-time Stream Flow:Near Near Philpott, Virginia
Seasons:
The fishing season is year-round and trout can be taken year-round.
Spring:
Springtime brings about the best hatches and dry fly fishing for the year.
Summer:
Fly fishing Smith River during the
summertime is an excellent time to fish the tailwater because the water stays cold on the hottest days.
Fall:
The brown trout spawn in the fall and this provides the best opportunity for catching a large trout.
Winter:
Fly fishing opportunities continue
throughout the winter months. Some days can be too cold but for the most part, it is year-round fishing.
Recommended Tackle & Gear
Fly Line:
5 or 6 weight
Leaders:
Dry fly: 9 & 12 ft., 5 or 6X, Nymphing:
71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2X
Tippets:
Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X,
Streamer 0-2X
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly Superb Five or Ultimate Six
Fly Reels:
For 5/6 fly line
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.
Fly and Gear ordering and delivery:
Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
Copyright 2013 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The Smith River Virginia
The Smith River is recognized as one of Virginia’s best tailwaters but little is known about its fine headwater fishing for native brook trout. Of course this is two completely different types of fly fishing and anyone fishing the Smith River would have to choose one or the other for the day. We will focus on the tailwater which is the main attraction of the Smith.
The water comes out from under Philpott Dam at a cold temperature year-round. When you fish this tailwater it is imperative that you check on the discharge schedule and that you are always well aware of the water level. The water can rise two or three feet very fast. There are warning horns but you also need to know the schedule in order to know where and when to fish.
There is a three mile long “Trophy Trout Water” section downstream from the mouth of Town Creek. The state requires single, barbless hooks in this section. Although the river has both brown and rainbow trout, most of the trout are browns.
Smith River has some freestone stream influence,” It gets colder during the Winter below the confluences of its tributaries. The bottom discharge water from the dam stays at a relatively constant temperature and is why your will see it covered with dense fog on cold days. The closer you fish to the dam during the winter, the better off you are.
The biggest problem we have noticed with most anglers that fish the Smith River, is the tendency to fish too large of flies. This is both dry flies and nymphs and larvae imitations. Most of the aquatic insects in the river are very small. In fact, most of the food consist of midges which are very small. The only thing of much size are the baitfish, sculpin and leeches. The river also has plenty of crustaceans mostly in the form of crayfish. Large brown trout will eat small crayfish.
Another problem we have noticed it the tendency to fish the pools. Pools hold a lot of trout but they are more difficult to fish than the runs and riffles. The trout get a much better look at your flies in the slower moving water as well as your leader and fly line in some cases. With the exception of when the water is cold, your much better off fishing the faster moving water. Trout won’t hold in the fast water when it is below around 45 degrees.
Another tendency is to over fish dry flies. About ninety percent of the time, your much better off fishing subsurface flies.
Smith River Virginia Fly Fishing Guide
Where and when to fish the Smith River is strictly determined by the tailwater releases. The Smith River is basically a wide stream with little variation in its bottom. There are long pools, then a section of riffles leading to the next long pool.
In most areas of the river you will barely notice the water moving even when it is flowing at a good rate. That is because of its smooth surface. The surface of the water is deceptive and tough to fish with a dry fly until you get used to fishing this type of water.
Most of the trout, especially the brown trout, will hold around any structure they can find. Rock slabs, edges of the riffles, any bank structure, any tree limb or even a stick in the water, gravel bars and anywhere the depth of the water changes abruptly.
The pools hold plenty of trout but all in all, are more difficult to fish. They usually hold the larger trout. It is easier to catch the smaller trout in the riffles but not the large ones. During the summer it is important to fish the shaded areas under overhanging tree limbs. The brown trout will stay out of the bright sunlit water.
The Trophy Section is the most heavily fished section. The trout see a lot of flies and spook very easily in this section. In fact, it is easy to spook the trout in any of the pools. If you don’t wade very carefully and slowly, you will spook all the trout in a pool without having a chance to catch one.
Drag free drifts in the smooth section are tough to get sometimes. The water has current seams that are difficult to see. At times you will need to make a downstream presentation even using dry flies. In fact we recommend this method if you can find a rising trout. In the clear low water, even your leader will put a trout down. The downstream approach will let the trout see the fly first. Done correctly, your leader will not pass over the fish. Keep each cast to the inside of the trout and work in towards the fish until you get the right drift.
Nymph fishing is generally the best way to fish. Most anglers use a strike indicator. The almost level bottom of the river allows the indicator to work great. When the caddis are hatching you may want to use a down and across presentation of pupa imitations.
Smith River Virginia Hatches and Trout Flies
Our information on aquatic insects is based on our stream samples of larvae and nymphs, not guess work. We base fly suggestions on imitating the most plentiful and most available insects and other foods at the particular time you are fishing. Unlike the generic fly shop trout flies, we have specific imitations of all the insects in the Smith River and in all stages of life that are applicable to fishing. If you want to fish better, more realistic trout flies, have a much higher degree of success, give us a call. We not only will help you with selections, you will learn why, after trying Perfect Flies, 92% of the thousands of our customers will use nothing else. 1-800-594-4726.
The freestone section of the river has a large diverse population of aquatic insects but not very many of any one species. The brook trout can be fooled with several different attractor or generic flies. Matching the hatch isn’t that important most of the time. From here on we will concentrate on the tailwater section of the river.
As with many other tailwaters, the midge is king on the Smith River. It is not as popular as one might expect, we believe, simply because the locals haven’t really caught on the fishing midge imitations. Fishing tiny flies on light line for big brown and rainbow trout takes some time to get used to. However, once any angler sees just how effective midge fishing can be, they can become addicted to it in a very short time. It is tough fishing flies you can’t see to trout you can’t see but all in all it is the most effective way to catch trout consistently on this river. You should have a good selection of midge larvae, pupae and adults anytime you fish this river.
Hendricksons hatch from about the middle of March through the middle of April. It is not huge but it can bring on some decent dry fly fishing. There are hatches of various species of Blue-winged Olives, none of which are very consistent. You will find them from January through February but only here and there.
The cloudy, overcast days are best but even then, you may not find a hatch occurring. The little BWOs hatch again in the late fall from about the first of October through December but again, it is not consistent or dependable. If you find them hatching by all means fish it.
The Sulphur hatch is the big event of the year. The hatch is usually very good and trout can be taken on dry flies. It is actually a Eastern Pale Evening Dun hatch for the most part. Both the true Sulphurs and the PEDs exist in the stream. It usually starts about the first of May and last through the month of June. The slightly larger PEDs start first and the smaller Sulphurs follow.
Terrestrials can be important during the summer. From around the first of June through September, you will find imitations of beetles, ants and grasshoppers work great. Another plentiful insect is the moth larva, or inch worm most anglers call them. They work well during the summer when the little worms are falling off the tree limbs. Another overlooked insect is the Crane Fly. They are very plentiful in April and May but are present throughout most of the warm months. Our “Perfect Fly” Crane Fly Larva and Adult imitations work great on the Smith River.
Don’t forget the streamers. Next to the midge imitations, they may well be the most important fly to use on this river. Imitations of sculpin, small crawfish, minnows, and baitfish work great, especially for the large trout during high stream flows (from the banks, please don’t wade) and anytime the water is off color. They work great very early and late in the day when the light levels are low.
If you haven’t already done so, please give our “Perfect Flies” a try. You will find they are by far the most effective trout flies you can purchase.
Smith River Virginia Fly Fishing Report:
01/18/20 Sorry for the missed reports.
The discharges and levels are a little high
but should be coming down soon. Midges,
Black flies and winter stoneflies are
hatching among a few others.
02/16/2020 The discharges and stream
levels are currently high but with less rain
in the forecast, should drop back down
soon.
03/04/2020 The discharges have been
high most of the time and are now, but
trout are being caught in good numbers
when the stream levels are okay.
03/19/2020 The river is turning out some
decent quantities of fish for our
customers. Discharges and stream levels
are still varying greatly, so be sure to
check them.
04/15/20 Discharges are high now but we
were getting good reports prior to the
high levels. It should be good again when
the discharges subside.
04/26/20 Discharges and stream levels
remain high most all the time. We didn’t
get any reports this past week.
05/10/20 The discharges are still running
higher than normal due to the heavy rain but
that should cease very soon. It can be
fished. Nymphs and midges are working
best.
06/09/20 Stream levels have been low most
of the time and we have been getting some
very good catch reports from customers.
06/21/20 We are getting good reports.
Discharges and stream levels have been
low.
07/03/20 Discharges and stream levels
have been high most of the time. Trout
can be caught in good numbers when it is
suitable to wade.
07/13/20 The river is turning out some
good trout. Discharge and stream levels
have been relatively low.
07/27/20 we are getting some good
reports from customers. Discharges and
stream levels are being mostly favorable.
08/12/20 The river has been in good
shape most all the time lately with good
discharge and stream levels. We are still
getting some very good catch reports
from customers.
08/30/20 We have been getting good
reports. The discharges are up high now,
but should cease soon. Trout are being
caught in fall sections by our customers.
10/07/20 The river is in good shape with
good levels most ot the time. We are
getting some good reports for the past
three days.
10/19/20 The dam is putting out some
very dingy to muddy water and the levels
are very low. Fish when this conditions
changes, hopefully soon.
11/07/20 The stream is high and dingy
with lots of water being released. Watch
the levels and fish when it settles down.
11/20/20 Discharges and resulting stream
level are very high at the present time.
Fish when the levels subside.
12/21/20 Discharges and stream levels
are very high. Fish when it drops.
01/03/21 The discharges and stream
levels are still high enough to make wading
unsafe in most areas. It should come down
very soon.
01/17/21 Discharges and stream levels
are back up again. We were getting good
reports from customers when they levels
were down. Fish as soon as it falls some.
Midges and winter stoneflies are hatching.
Our sculpin and leech streamers work.
02/01/21 Discharges and stream levels
are up again, too high to wade safely.
We get some good reports when the
levels are okay.
02/20/21 Discharges and levels are still
high due to lots of recent rain but should
fall down fast. Get ready for spring
hatches starting near first of March.
03/07/21 Stream levels are still too high
for safe wading should be down very
soon. It can be fished from larger drift
boats. Good hatches.
03/20/21 The discharges and stream
levels are high, too high to wade or fish
but should fall out very soon.
04/24/21 The river is a little above normal levels at this time. Trout are being caught in good numbers when the levels are okay. There are some good hatches taking place and we are getting some good reports from customers. Call or send us an email for a recommended fly and gear list.
05/03/21 Recent lack of rain finally settled the stream levels down enough for some wading but it probably won’t last long. We did receive two good reports from customers. Good hatches are taking place.
05/10/21 The river is in good shape and we are getting good reports as long as the stream levels are okay. There are hatches of BWOs, Midges, creams and reds, cinnamon caddis, little Black Caddis, Hendrickson/Red Quills on lower river, and other insects.
05/18/21 The river is still in okay shape. The discharges have been mostly low. There are good hatches taking place.
05/26/21 The river is running just a little above normal levels but has been low the past few day. We received several good reports this past week. Call of write us for an up to date fly list.
06/03/21 The stream is in good shape flowing just above a normal level and clear. We continue to get good reports when the stream levels are okay.
06/12/21 The stream levels is just a little above normal level and in okay shape. We received some good and some not so good reports the past ten days. There are some good hatches and some are catching good numbers of fish. Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations.
06/24/21 Stream levels are down in good shape and the water clear. We received a good report from a customer fishing yesterday.
07/08/21 The stream is flowing near a normal level and in good shape. We received several good reports from customers this past week. Fish the upper sections of the river below the dam.
07/16/21 Steam levels are fine. Recent rain has helped the stream. The weather is going to be much cooler this coming week and it should be a very good time to fish the stream.
07/23/21 The stream is in okay shape. We didn’t receive any reports this past week but it should have been fine.
07/31/21 We are getting mixed reports from customers. Some are catching good numbers and others not. Fish the upper sections of the river where the water is cooler for the best results.
08/07/21 The upper section is still turning out some good numbers of trout fro our customers. Blood Midges, Tricos, cinnamon caddis, little sister caddis and other insects are hatching.
08/16/21 We received two good reports from customers fishing the river this past week. We recommend fishing the upper and middle sections of the river.
08/23/21 The river has been turning out some very good catches for our customers when the discharges and stream levels are okay. There has been a lot of rain lately and high water levels.
09/08/21 The river is down to a normal level and in good shape. We received a good report from a customer fishing yesterday. Midges, creams and blood or reds, are working very good.
09/16/21 The discharges and stream flows are good right now. There are good hatches that vary depending on the section of the stream being fished.
09/25/21 Stream levels are at a normal level and the river in good shape. We received two good reports from customers fishing yesterday.
10/03/21 The river stream is flowing just a little above normal level this morning. We received two good reports from customer fishing this past week. Good blood midges and BWO hatches are taking place.
10/15/21 The river is just a little above normal level, clear and in good shape. We received two good reports from yesterday.
10/25/21 Stream levels are just a little below normal levels and in good shape. We are getting reports of some nice trout caught on our sculpin streamers, articulated and non-articulated. There are good Mahogany dun, BWO and midge hatches as well.
11/02/21 The stream is flowing at a low level. We are getting some good reports from customers. Good hatches are taking place.
11/11/21 The stream is flowing just a little above normal level. We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week.
11/20/21 The discharges and stream levels are below normal but that should be okay for wading anglers as well as drift boats. Our articulated sculpin and leech streamer patters are catching some good ones.
11/28/21 The discharges and stream levels are low but okay for both wading and drift boat anglers. We received some good reports from customers fishing the past three days.
12/07/21 Stream levels are a little low but okay as it makes wading easier and safer. We are good lots of good reports from customers. Our articulated sculpin and leech streamers are catching some nice ones.
12/15/21 The discharges and stream levels are low but we are still getting good reports from customers – three this past week. Fish the midge larva and pupa rigged in tandem.
12/23/21 The stream is still low but that makes for good wading in many places. Small boats can still fish the river as well. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
12/31/21 The discharges and stream levels are still low this early morning. There is a lot of rain that fell and more on the way though the week end so the levels will likely come up soon. We received three good reports this past week.
01/08/22 We received one good report from a customer this past week. The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. Good midge and some BWO hatches are taking place. Black flies are also hatching. Our aquatic worms and articulated sculpin streamer are also working good.
01/16/22 We received one more good report from a customer fishing yesterday. Discharges have been mostly high lately but it should settle down and be good for a few days.
01/24/22 Discharges and stream levels are near normal and the river in good shape. We received one good report this past week from a customer. Winter stoneflies are hatching as well as blood midges.
02/01/22 Discharges and stream levels are very low but you still can drift the river or wade at that level. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
02/09/22 The discharges and stream levels are a little above normal but okay. We received one good report this past week.
02/17/22 The discharges and levels are a little above normal. Wading will be tough in some places, okay in others. Drift boats should do well. We received two good reports from customers fishing the past week.
02/25/22 The discharges and levels are very high due to recent heavy rain. Give it 2 or 3 days to change. We were getting good reports prior to the high discharges.
03/05/22 Stream levels are down to a little above normal levels and the water mostly clear. You should be able to catch some good ones this coming week. New hatches of Blue Quills, Little Black Caddis and Little Browns stoneflies should start soon in addition to the BWOs and midges.
03/13/22 We received two good reports from the past week. The lower river will cool down due to the bad cold front but be back normal in a couple of days. Little change will occur near the dam. Discharges are a little high right now.
03/21/22 Conditions are back in good shape. There are some good hatches in the middle and lower sections starting up. Blue Quills, Little Black caddis and Little Brown stoneflies in addition to the midges and BWOs.
03/29/22 Stream levels are a little high but okay. We are getting good reports from all sections of the river. Good hatches are taking place.
04/06/22 The stream levels are up due to recent rain. It may take a day or two to get back to normal. We have been getting excellent reports from customers.
04/14/22 The stream is a little below normal level at this time and in good shape. Good hatches are taking place and we are getting some good reports. Write or call us for a recommended fly list.
04/24/22 The river is in good shape in all respects. We are getting very good reports. Lots of insects are hatching even Hendricksons/red quills on the middle and lower sections.
04/30/22 The river is still flowing at a normal level in good shape. The tailwater right below the dam is cold and midges still work good. Downstream it is warmer with lots of insects hatching. Great reports are coming in.
05/08/22 Discharges are quite low this morning, so you could wade the stream easily. We have been getting more good reports. Good hatches are taking place. Little Yellow stoneflies are starting on the lower sections.
05/20/22 Discharges and stream levels are normal and the river in good shape. We received some good reports from customers fishing recently. Good hatches continue.
05/28/22 The discharges are up due to recent rain but things should settle down very soon. We have been getting some very good reports prior to high water. Very good hatches are taking place especially in the middle and lower sections of the river.
06/04/22 We received one good report from a customer fishing yesterday. The discharges and stream levels are a good bit above normal but it can be waded safely in some places and fine for larger drift boats.
06/12/22 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We received five good reports this past week from customers. There are good hatches taking place including a good Sulphur hatch.
06/19/22 The stream is still near a normal level and clear. We are getting some very good reports from customers. Lots of insects are hatching. Good wading conditions exist most places.
06/26/22 The stream is flowing just a little above a normal level and in good shape. We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week.
11/27/22 We are starting to do stream reports again. Stream levels are currently okay but you need to check them daily. We are getting very good reports when the levels are okay. Good hatches are taking place.
12/14/22 The stream is flowing near a normal levels in good shape. It is still turning out good numbers and sizes of trot. Cream and red or blood midges along with little blue -winged olives are hatching. Our sculpin streamers are working good.
12/25/22 The stream is flowing below a normal level and clear. Trout are being caught by our customers on cream and light green midges rigged in tandem as well as little BWOs and sculpin streamers.
12/29/22 Stream levels are still a good bit above normal, but trout are being caught in good numbers. Good winter stoneflys hatches are taking place.
01/28/29 The stream is flowing just a little above normal levels in good shape. There are lots of fish being caught especially below the. There are good hatches taking place including lots of little Winter stoneflies.
02/18/23 Stream levels are high due to discharges from recent rain but it should settle down soon. Our blood (red) and cream midges are working good along with the articulated sculpin streamers.
03/04/23 The stream levels are still a little high due to heavy rain in the area but should should cease back down to normal. We have been getting very good reports until the levels went up. There are good hatches taking place.
03/11/23 The stream is flowing well above normal but should settle down soon. We were getting great reports prior to the recent higher water levels. Good hatches are taking place.
03/22/23 Stream levels are above normal some but okay. Good hatches are taking place. We received two good reports this past week.
04/02/23 Our Red or Blood Midges rigged in tandem with the larva on the bottom are working good. We received three good reports from customers the past week.
04/10/23 The stream is flowing just a little below normal and clear. We are getting good reports from customers. Good midge hatching taking place.
04/10/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level in good shape. We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches are taking place.
04/27/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level with clear water. We received one good report from a customers this past week.
05/07/23 The stream is a little above normal level and clear. We received three good reports from customers fishing it this past week.
05/15/23 The stream is near a normal level in good shape. Good hatches are taking place. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
05/25/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We received three good reports from customers fishing it this past week. Good hatches continue to take place.
06/04/23 The stream is still at a normal level with clear water. Good hatches are taking place. Trout are being caught in the upper and lower sections.
06/13/23 The stream is still near a normal level and clear. Good hatches including Sulphurs, Cinnamon Caddis and other insects are taking place.
06/21/23 The river is just a little above normal level and clear. Good hatches continue. We received two good reports this past week.
07/01/23 The stream is down to a normal and clear. It has been high for the past few days. Good hatches are taking place and you should be able to catch good numbers of trout.
07/11/23 Discharges are good for normal stream levels. Fish the upper section near the dam where the water is cooler. Good hatches continue to take place. We received three good reports this past week.
07/18/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level and the water is clear. Sections near the dam have cooler water. None of the river is too hot to fish by any means. There are lots of hatches taking place. We received three more good reports from customers fishing this past week.
07/26/23 The stream is flowing at an okay level with clear water. We received two more good reports from customers this past week. All sections of the tailwater are turning out trout.
08/03/23 We are still getting good reports from customers fishing it. Fish sculpin streamers early and late in the day, and cream midges with the larva and pupa rigged in tandem during the day.
08/10/23 The stream is in good shape flowing near a normal level with clear water. We received three good reports from customers fishing it this past week.
08/19/23 The stream is still flowing at a normal level with clear water. We are still getting good catch reports from customers.
08/27/23 Conditions are still good with okay stream levels and good hatches.
09/03/23 The stream is down to a normal level in good shape with clear water today. There are good midge and tiny BWO hatches and lots of Spotted sedge, cinnamon caddis and little sister caddis hatching.
09/10/23 The stream is flow just a little below normal level and clear. Good hatches continue to come off. We are still getting some very good reports from customers fishing it.
09/17/23 The stream is still flowing near a normal level in good shape. We received another good report from a customer.
10/01/23 The stream is flowing near a normal level and clear. We received two good reports from this past week. Both were using our pre-rigged midge larva and pupa tandem rigs.
10/08/23 More good reports have come in. Conditions remain good.
10/23/23 Conditions are very good. The stream is near a normal and clear. Good late season hatches are taking place. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
11/02/23 Conditions remain good. Stream levels are low but okay for boats and wading anglers. We received several good report during the past week. Very good midge and little BWO hatches. Our pre-rigged midges are very popular on this one.
11/08/23 The stream is still low which is good for wading in most sections. There is rain on the way within the next day or two. Our articulated sculpin and leech patterns are working good along with our pre-rigged in tandem larva and pupa cream and red or blood midges.
11/15/23 The discharges and stream levels are low but okay. We are still getting good catch reports. Some rain is on the way.
11/26/23 The stream is very low and clear but it doesn’t seem to hurt the “catching”. Our tandem rigs are working great as well as out articulated streamers.
12/04/23 The stream is in good shape with okay discharges and stream levels. Good midge hatches continue to come off. Our cream and blood or red midge patterns with the larva and pupa rigged in tandem work great here.
12/12/23 The stream is still flowing well below normal but great for wading anglers. We received two good reports from customers fishing yesterday.
12/29/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level and lightly stained. We received another good report from a customer fishing with out pre-rigged red or blood midges this past week.
01/19/24 The discharges and stream levels are still a little high this morning but if you watch the discharge schedule you should be able to catch it right. Good light Green midge and Winter stonefly hatches are taking place.
01/30/24 The discharges are a little high this morning but should settle down soon. We are getting some very good reports when the stream levels are okay. Good midge and Winter stonefly hatches continue to take place.
02/11/24 The stream is flowing at a normal level with clear water. We are getting some very good reports.
02/19/24 The stream is flowing a little above a normal level and clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing yesterday. Our light green midge larva and pupa and our Winter stonefly nymphs are working good.
02/26/24 Conditions are good. We received two more good reports from customers fishing this past week. Our articulated sculpin streamers will get you some of the larger fish.
03/06/24 The stream is high at the time but should settle down soon. We have been getting very good reports from customers. Green midges, Blue-winged olive and little Black Caddis are hatching.
03/12/24 The stream is still a good bit above a normal level and clear. Good hatches continue to take place. Drift boats should do okay with the higher levels but it should continue to fall down.
03/19/24 Conditions are very good. We are getting some good reports from all sections of the tailwater. Good hatches continue to come off. In addition to the hatches I list in the above 3/06 report, Little Brown Stoneflies are also hatching.
03/26/24 Stream levels are normal and the water is clear. We are getting very good catch reports from customers. Good Blue Winged Olives, Little Brown stoneflies, Little Black caddis, Cream midges and Blue Quills are hatching.
04/02/24 The stream is flowing near a normal level and clear. We get good catch reports every time the discharges and stream levels are low enough to fish. Good hatches are taking place.
04/09/24 Conditions are very good. The discharges and stream levels are normal and the water is clear. Good hatches continue to take place and we continue to get good catch reports from customers.
04/16/24 The stream is flowing above a normal level and lightly stained. We have been getting good catch reports from customers. Good hatches are taking place.
04/23/24 The stream is flowing at normal level and clear. All sections of the tailwater are turning out good catches. Good hatches of Cream midges, BWOs, little Brown stoneflies and Lttle Black caddis are taking place.
04/30/24 Conditions are very good. We are getting good reports from customers. All sections of the river are turning out trout. Good hatches continue to take place.
05/07/04 The stream is still flowing at a normal level with clear water. We are getting a lot of good reports from customers. There are multiple hatches taking place.
05/14/24 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We are still getting good catch reports. Good hatches continue to take place.
05/21/24 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. Good Blue-winged olive, Eastern Pale Evening duns, Sulphurs, and Cream and Red or blood midges are hatching.
05/28/24 Good conditions exist. The stream level is normal and the water is clear. Very good hatches are taking place and we are getting good catch reports.
06/04/24 The discharges and resulting stream levels are near normal and the water is clear. Good hatches continue to come off. We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week.
06/11/24 Conditions are very good. The stream is flowing near a normal level and the water is clear. Very good hatches are taking place. We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week.
06/16/24 The stream is flowing just a little below normal level with clear water. Good hatches continue to come off and terrestrial fly patterns are also working.
06/23/24 The stream is flowing near a normal level and clear. Good hatches continue to take place and we continue to get two or three good reports a week from customers.
07/02/24 Conditions remain very good. There are good hatches taking place and we continue to get good catch reports from customers.
07/09/24 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. Fish the water near the discharges where it is cooler. We received three good catch reports from customers fishing this past week.
07/18/24 Conditions are very good. We are still getting good reports from customers fishing it. Good hatches continue to take place.
07/25/24 Conditions remain good. We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week. Very good hatches are taking place.
08/02/24 We received two more good reports from customers fishing it this past week. Lots of cream midges are hatching. Tricos are hatching on the lower section of the river along with some Sulphurs.
08/09/24 Conditions are very good. We received three good reports from customers fishing recently. The stream is flowing at a normal level with clear water. Very good late season hatches are taking place.
08/17/24 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing yesterday. Good hatches continue to come off.
09/22/24 We are still getting some good reports. The stream levels are good most of the time. Wading anglers and drift boat anglers are both catching trout. Good hatches continue to take place.
09/01/24 Conditions are very good. Good discharge and stream levels and good late season hatches are taking place.
09/04/24 Good midge hatches of creams and reds or blood midges are taking place. Terrestrials still work around the banks. Discharges and stream levels are currently in good shape.
09/11/24 Tricos have started to hatch in additions to those insects mentioned in above reports. Conditions including discharges and stream levels are good.
09/18/24 Steam levels are fine right now. There has been a lot of rain in the area and my guess is they will be releasing a lot of water fairly soon, so be sure to check the levels before traveling very far to fish. We have been getting very good reports from customers fishing it.
09/25/24 Currently the stream is flowing at a low level and clear. We suspect this will change soon, so be sure to check the USGS gauge. We have been getting some very good reports.
10/02/24 The stream is still flowing well below a normal level and clear. We continue to get good reports from customers fishing it. Wading is safe and easy many places. Good hatches are still taking place.
10/09/24 Currently the stream is flowing well below a normal level. It should likely rise and still be in good shape later on today. You should be able to catch good numbers of trout. Good hatches continue to take place.
10/17/24 The stream is still flowing very low but that isn’t such a bad thing. Wading is easy most place and small drift boat can make way in most places. Good hatches continue to occur. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
10/24/24 The stream is still flowing very low but again, that isn’t a bad thing. Good hatches continue to come off. We received a good report from a customer fishing yesterday.
10/31/24 Good conditions exist. The water is low but that allows good wading opportunity in many locations. Good hatches are still taking place. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
11/08/24 Good conditions still exist. The discharges and water levels are low but still providing good opportunity. Good hatch continue to take place. Our Cream midge pupa and larva flies, pre-rigged in tandem are working good.
11/17/24 The stream is flowing below a normal level and clear. We are getting good reports from customers fishing it. Good hatches continue to take place.
11/28/24 The stream is flowing below a normal level and clear. Good hatches are still taking place. We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week.
12/06/24 The stream is flowing below a normal level and clear. Good hatches are taking place. Our Cream midge pupa and larva flies, pre-rigged in tandem, are continuing to work good. There are also some BWOs and winter stoneflies hatching.
12/14/24 Good conditions exist. The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We received two good catch reports from customers fishing it this past week.
12/20/24 The stream is flowing just a tad above a normal level and clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing it this past week.
Perfect Flies are designed and tied to to imitate and behave like the natural foods the trout rely on to survive as much as possible. The more your fly looks like and moves through and on the surface of the water like the real things, the higher your odds of success.
Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations.