Smith River Fly Fishing
The Smith River is one of Virginia’s standout tailwater fisheries, flowing cold and clear below Philpott Dam and offering quality fishing across all four seasons. This river is known for strong wild brown trout numbers, technical water that rewards good presentation, and enough variety in runs, seams, and pools to keep the day interesting from the first cast to the last.
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At Blue Ridge Fishing Adventures, we guide both float and wading trips on the Smith River, tailoring the plan to current flows, water clarity, and what fish are doing right now. If you want a river where the details matter (and the payoff can be a heavy brown), the Smith is a great place to spend a day with a guide.
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What Makes the Smith River Special
The Smith is a tailwater, which means Philpott Dam’s cold-water releases create trout-friendly habitat for miles downstream. The cold water from Philpott provides miles of quality trout water and supports excellent opportunities throughout the year.
A big reason the Smith has earned its reputation is management and trout quality. Roughly 31 miles from Philpott Dam downstream to Mitchell Bridge are managed as special regulation brown trout waters. That regulation structure helps protect the river’s core class of browns and keeps the fishery healthy year after year.
On the water, you’ll notice the Smith fishes “tailwater technical” more than “mountain pocketwater.” You’ll find long glides, gentle riffles, and defined seams where fish set up to feed. That’s good news for anglers who like precision: clean drifts, small fly adjustments, and thoughtful approach.
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Seasonally, the Smith gives you real options:
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Winter: midge-focused nymphing and occasional Blue Winged Olive activity on the right days
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Spring into early summer: stronger hatch windows, including sulphurs and other mayflies, plus caddis in the mix
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Summer: consistent cold tailwater temps keep trout active, especially early and late in the day
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Fall: excellent streamer and nymph windows as fish feed hard ahead of winter and during changing flows
Why Fish the Smith River With Us
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The Smith can be generous, but it can also humble good anglers fast. Our job is to shorten the learning curve and keep your day focused on the right water, the right approach, and the right details.
Tailwater-first game plan
Flows matter here. We plan around current dam releases, clarity, and the kind of drift that will actually get eaten.
Instruction-centered guiding
We coach casting, line control, drift management, indicator vs. tight-line decisions, and how to adjust when trout refuse the first “perfect” fly.
Efficient access and productive water
The Smith has multiple sections and access points. We choose where to start based on conditions, not convenience.
All skill levels welcome
New to fly fishing? We keep it simple and build fundamentals. Have a solid cast already? We’ll get detailed with presentations, rigging, and reading tailwater structure.
Wading Trips on the Smith River
Wading the Smith is all about picking the right stretches for the day’s flows. When the river is at a manageable level, wading offers a clean learning environment: controlled angles, repeatable drifts, and plenty of opportunities to work one run the “right way” before moving on.
Float Trips on the Smith River
A float trip lets us cover more water, rotate through multiple “A+” runs, and adjust quickly when conditions change. Floating is also a practical way to keep you in productive water during flows that make wading less comfortable.
A Day Focused on Learning
We start every trip with a simple rundown: what flows are doing, how that affects trout position, and which methods give us the best odds. From there, it’s a steady rhythm of coaching and fishing.
Depending on conditions, your day might include:
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nymph rigs tuned for longer tailwater drifts
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small flies and light tippet when the river gets clear and fish get picky
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streamers through deeper bends and undercut structure when bigger fish are hunting
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dry fly shots during stronger hatch windows (when the river decides to cooperate)
And yes, we keep it practical. If something isn’t working, we change it. No ego, no stubborn “this should work” routine.
Ready to Experience the Smith River?
If you want a Virginia trout river with true year-round potential, wild browns, and water that rewards good fundamentals, the Smith River belongs on your list. Fish it with us, and you’ll leave with better skills, better decisions on the water, and a real feel for how tailwaters “think.”​
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Book a trip today and let Blue Ridge Fishing Adventures show you the best of the Jackson River.