Virginia Fly Fishing: The Straightforward Guide to Trout, Bass, Seasons, and Rivers Worth Your Time

Virginia is one of those states that quietly offers a ton of variety on a fly rod. You can chase technical tailwater trout in the morning, swing streamers for a big brown at lunch, and end the day throwing poppers to smallmouth on a warmwater river—often without driving across three states to do it.

We guide fly fishing trips across Virginia because the fishing here stays interesting year-round. In this guide, we’re laying out what you need to know to plan a solid Virginia fly fishing trip: where to go, what to throw, how seasons actually fish, and what rules you need to keep straight so your day stays fun (and legal).

What Fly Fishing Looks Like in Virginia

Virginia fly fishing breaks into a few main “types” of water. Knowing which one you’re headed for will help you pick the right gear, flies, and expectations.

Tailwaters

Tailwaters are rivers flowing below dams. They often fish well across all seasons because the water stays colder and more stable than most freestones. Virginia’s tailwaters can produce excellent trout fishing and bigger fish, but they’ll also expose sloppy drifts and heavy tippet pretty fast.

Freestone Mountain Streams

These are your classic Blue Ridge and Appalachian creeks—small, cold, and often full of native brook trout. Virginia DWR notes that adult brook trout in many Virginia streams average about 8–10 inches by their third year, and they highlight Virginia as offering some of the best native brook trout fishing south of New England.

Warmwater Rivers

Virginia’s warmwater fly fishing is no side quest. Rivers like the New and James are known for smallmouth bass and other species that eat flies aggressively and fight hard. Smallmouth bass are a key species on both the New and the James rivers.

Virginia is big enough that “where should I go?” depends on what you want to catch and how you like to fish. Here’s a practical way to think about it.

If you want trout

• Tailwaters for more consistent water temps and potential for larger fish

• Mountain creeks for native brook trout, light tackle, and tight casts

  
  

If you want smallmouth bass

• Bigger warmwater rivers where you can float and cover water efficiently

• Longer runs and ledges where smallmouth set up to ambush bait

  
  

If you want variety in one trip

Mix a trout day (tailwater) with a bass day (warmwater). It’s a great way to keep everyone in the group happy—especially when skill levels vary.

Virginia Fly Fishing Seasons: What Changes and What Stays Reliable

Virginia fishes year-round, but the “best plan” changes with water temps, flows, and what fish are willing to do.

Spring

Spring is prime time for both trout and smallmouth, just in different ways:

• Trout: rising water temps, more bug activity, and better dry fly windows

• Smallmouth: pre-spawn and post-spawn patterns can be excellent depending on temps and timing

  
  

Summer

• Tailwater trout can stay active thanks to cold dam releases on many systems (but presentation matters).

• Smallmouth fishing can be strong early and late, with topwater opportunities when conditions line up.

  
  

Fall

Fall is one of the best times to fish in Virginia if you like covering water and hunting quality fish:

• Trout often feed hard as seasons change

• Streamers can turn on when light levels drop and water temps cool

  
  

Winter

Winter can be very productive if you adjust:

• Trout: focus on subsurface tactics and slower, cleaner drifts

• Warmwater: pick your days, target sun-warmed periods, and slow your presentation down

  
  

What You Can Catch Fly Fishing in Virginia

Trout (brook, brown, rainbow)

Virginia has stocked trout waters, wild trout streams, and special regulation sections designed to protect quality trout fisheries.

Smallmouth bass

Smallmouth bass are the most common game species in much of the upper and middle James River, and they’re a major draw on the New River as well.

Bonus species

Depending on where you’re fishing, you may also bump into:

• sunfish and rock bass

• catfish

• musky (in specific waters)

• striped bass in some systems (location and season dependent)

Flies and Techniques That Work Across Virginia

You can carry a different box for every river… or you can keep it simple and still do well.

For Virginia trout

Nymphing (your bread-and-butter)

• Great for winter, high water, and pressured fish

• Focus on clean drifts, depth control, and subtle takes

Dry flies (when the river earns it)

• Best when you have consistent surface activity

• Carry a few classic mayfly and caddis profiles in multiple sizes

Streamers (big fish tool)

• Excellent during low light, higher flows, and fall/winter windows

• Learn to vary speed and depth instead of changing flies every five minutes

  
  

For Virginia smallmouth

Topwater

• Poppers and sliders can be money when temps are right

• Work structure: seams, boulders, ledges, shade lines

Subsurface streamers

• Baitfish patterns, craw profiles, and larger “meal” flies

• Don’t overthink it—put it near the right structure and keep it moving

Gear Recommendations for Virginia Fly Fishing

You can get super dialed… but here’s the practical, proven setup most anglers need.

Trout setups

• 9’ 4wt or 5wt rods cover most trout situations

• Add a 6wt if you plan to throw larger streamers regularly

• Shorter 7’6” to 8’6” 2wt rods work best on small brook trout streams

Smallmouth setups

• 7wt is a great all-around choice

• If you’re fishing bigger flies or pushing into wind, 8wt makes life easier

Leaders and tippet (quick guidance)

• Tailwaters often demand lighter tippet and better drifts

• Warmwater lets you fish thicker tippet, heavier flies, and more aggressive presentations

  
  

Virginia Fly Fishing Regulations and Licenses (Read This Part)

Regulations vary by water and can change, so always verify before you fish. Here are a few high-impact rules we see anglers miss.

Trout license timing

Virginia DWR states that a trout license is required October 1 through June 15 (and not required outside that window) for designated stocked trout waters.

Special regulation trout waters

DWR outlines special regulation trout waters with specifics like:

• a 7-inch minimum length for rainbow and brook trout

• a 6 trout/day combined creel limit

• and special brown trout provisions in certain sections

  
  

Smith River note (common question)

On the Smith River special regulation section (Philpott Dam downstream to Mitchell Bridge), the protected slot limit for brown trout is 10–24 inches, and only one brown trout over 24 inches may be harvested per day.

Shenandoah National Park note

Shenandoah National Park has its own fishing rules and seasonal/area restrictions. The NPS provides park-specific regulations to protect aquatic resources, and Virginia DWR also notes special rules like single-point hook artificial lures and no bait for Shenandoah waters.

Access, Etiquette, and How to Avoid Becoming “That Person”

Virginia has a lot of public fishing, but plenty of rivers also run through private land.

Respect private property

DWR specifically notes that much of the Jackson River area is privately owned and anglers should be sure they’re on National Forest property or have landowner permission.

Give people space

If you can comfortably cast into the water someone is standing in, you’re too close.

Handle fish well

• Keep fish wet

• Minimize air time

• Use barbless hooks if you’re practicing catch-and-release frequently

  
  

How We Recommend Planning a Virginia Fly Fishing Trip

This is the planning approach we use when we’re deciding where to fish with clients.

Step 1: Pick your target species

Trout and smallmouth require different water and different timing.

Step 2: Decide float vs wade

• Float trips: cover more water, fish more “A+” spots, great for bass and larger rivers

• Wade trips: slower pace, great for learning and refining technique

  
  

Step 3: Match the river to the season

Tailwaters tend to be more consistent. Warmwater rivers can be phenomenal, but timing matters more.

Guided Virginia Fly Fishing Trips We Offer

If you want the most efficient path to a great day on the water, a guided trip helps you skip the guesswork and fish the best water for the conditions you actually have.

Jackson River Trips

Jackson River fly fishing is a Virginia favorite for trout fishing opportunities, including special regulation water in the Hidden Valley area, with additional species present downstream. The tailwater section below Gathright Dam is the best stretch in Virginia to catch a trophy wild trout.

Smith River Trips

A technical tailwater with strong trout fishing potential and well-known special regulations that help protect quality brown trout. Check out our Smith River fly fishing page for more info!

New River Trips

The New River is a great warmwater option with smallmouth bass among the key species DWR highlights, plus the kind of river layout that fishes well from a drift boat. 

James River Trips

The James River offers excellent smallmouth bass fishing across the mountain and piedmont sections, with different water styles depending on where you drop in. 

South Fork of the Shenandoah River Fly Fishing

If you’re looking for classic Virginia smallmouth water with easy floating and a ton of fishable miles, the South Fork of the Shenandoah River belongs on your shortlist.

FAQs About Virginia Fly Fishing

Is Virginia good for beginner fly anglers?

Yes—especially if you start on the right water for your skill level. A guided wade trip is often the fastest way to build casting, drift control, and fish-fighting fundamentals without getting overwhelmed.  Float trips are also a fantastic format for new anglers to experience fly fishing without the rigors of wading. 

When is the best time to fly fish in Virginia?

Spring and fall are popular for good reason, but Virginia fishes year-round. The best time is usually the time that matches your target species and the kind of fishing you enjoy.

Do I need a trout license in Virginia?

If you’re fishing designated stocked trout waters, Virginia DWR says a trout license is required October 1 through June 15.

Can I fly fish for bass in Virginia?

Absolutely. Rivers like the New and James are known for smallmouth bass and are well suited to streamer and topwater fly fishing.

Ready to Fly Fish Virginia the Right Way?

If you want to explore Virginia fly fishing with a plan that matches the season, the river, and your goals, we’ll help you do it. Choose a trout tailwater day, a smallmouth float, or mix both into a Virginia fishing weekend that covers a lot of ground.

About the Author

Zach Brantley is the owner and head guide of Blue Ridge Fishing Adventures and a full-time professional fly-fishing guide on Virginia’s premier waters. After cutting his teeth on Colorado’s trout rivers, Zach relocated to Virginia and has spent years dialing in the Blue Ridge region—guiding customized float and wade trips, along with fly fishing lessons, across dozens of rivers, streams, and lakes in western Virginia.