Virginia Fly Fishing Report August 2025

It has been a great summer if you timed it right. For the first time in years, there has been no shortage of rain. The water levels all over Virginia have been consistently going back and forth from perfect to unfishable and back again.

As of the first week of August the rain has dropped off and we are experiencing great conditions. The brook trout streams are the first waterways to start getting low, but are still fishing well. Small terestrial patterns on longer leaders have been doing the trick. Since the brookies have had enough water to feed all summer, we have been seeing bigger fish this year too! If we don't get much rain for the next few weeks, the fishing might get tough, so enjoy it while you can!

The Jackson River has been great this summer as well. There have been mayfly spinnerfalls almost every day in the late morning hours. RS-2s fished mid water column had been producing well. As we move towards the fall, the brown trout should feed heavily as they prepare to spawn.

The main event this time of year is of course Smallmouth Bass. Their usual heavy feeding season has been interupted almost weekly by high, muddy water. Any day we were able to find somewhat clear water were amazing days of fishing. Very little rain is forcasted for the next few weeks of August, so we should have the best bass fishing conditions of the year. Be ready for some great Cicada topwater action through September. Frogs against the bank has been producing during the morning hours and baitfish or crawfish patterns below riffles will keep your rod bent the rest of the day.

We still have some prime dates available for the end of August and September. Come float the Shenandoah's South Fork, James River, or New River for the experience of a lifetime!