Montana ·
Smith River Fly Fishing Report - August 8/23/2025
SMITH RIVER FLY FISHING REPORT
Virginia's Classic Tailwater — Trout & Tactical Fishing
Report Date: August 23, 2025 | Next Update: August 30, 2025
Current River Conditions (Aug 23, 2025)
Fishing is good across the managed sections. Wild brown trout remain the heart of the fishery below Philpott; stocked rainbows are active in the designated stocking reaches. Expect classic late-summer behavior — terrestrials and evening caddis, with tight-holding trout in riffles and seam breaks.
Flows & Releases
Philpott Dam continues managed releases; late‑summer flows are typical for this time of year (stable, lower than spring runoff). Expect normal tailwater currents and good seam definition.
Philpott Dam continues managed releases; late‑summer flows are typical for this time of year (stable, lower than spring runoff). Expect normal tailwater currents and good seam definition.
Water Clarity & Temperature
Clarity: Generally clear to slightly tannic after thunderstorms
Temperature: Summer-warm in shallow tails but cooler in the main current — fish the faster water early, shaded seams mid-day.
Clarity: Generally clear to slightly tannic after thunderstorms
Temperature: Summer-warm in shallow tails but cooler in the main current — fish the faster water early, shaded seams mid-day.
Species & Numbers
Brown trout: strong wild component (special-regulation reach protected)
Rainbow trout: regularly stocked in designated stretches — check DWR stocking schedules and stocking-permit requirements
Brown trout: strong wild component (special-regulation reach protected)
Rainbow trout: regularly stocked in designated stretches — check DWR stocking schedules and stocking-permit requirements
Access & Roads
Main access points open: Philpott area, Bassett/North Bassett stretches, Fieldale downstream areas. Parking at public pullouts; follow posted signs and private property boundaries.
Main access points open: Philpott area, Bassett/North Bassett stretches, Fieldale downstream areas. Parking at public pullouts; follow posted signs and private property boundaries.
Regulations & Local Notes
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Brown Trout Slot | Special release slot below Philpott Dam: brown trout 10–24" must be released. Be familiar with posted boundaries. |
| Stocked Trout Sections | Selected reaches (near Bassett/Fieldale & Town Creek) are stocked frequently — a stocked trout permit may be required for those sections. Carry your license and check the DWR page for the latest postings. |
| Boating | Small jon boats and drift boats are common below Philpott; put-ins are at designated ramps. Watch for swift tailwater currents near the dam outlet. |
Hatch & Activity Forecast (late August)
| Insect | Expected Activity | Best Time |
|---|---|---|
| Terrestrials (Hoppers, Ants, Beetles) | High — warm bankside grasses and rock bars bring sizeable terrestrial takes | Late morning through evening |
| Caddis | Moderate — evening hatches and skittering drift | Evening |
| PMDs / Baetis | Lower than spring but present in the midday windows | Late morning to early afternoon |
| Midges | Always present — low-water midge emergences can trigger picky takes | Throughout the day, often stronger in calm pockets |
| Streamers / Baitfish Feeding | Active — trout take aggressively on sculpin and baitfish patterns in deeper runs | Early morning, dusk, and after lowlight cloud cover |
Recommended Flies (patterns matched to available stock)
Below are targeted fly choices for late-August tactics on the Smith River. Each pattern links to a recommended match available in the fly sheet so you can order or compare sizes/colors before you go.
- Libby's Salmonfly (dry/attractor) — useful as an early summer reference and as a large attractor where stonefly adults persist: Libby's Salmonfly
- Pat’s / Rubber-Leg Stonefly (heavy nymphs for seams) — excellent for trout holding on head-of-pool and pocket water: Tungsten Pat's Rubber Legs
- PMD / Baetis Emerger & Dry — match small mayfly windows (#14–18): Split Case - PMD and Parachute - Blue Wing Olive
- Caddis Dry (CDC skittering patterns) — evening savers: Corn-fed Caddis (CDC) - Olive
- Hopper / Terrestrial — top-shelf late-summer attractors for big browns: Fancy Pants Hopper - Tan
- Midge / Zebra Midge — small, subtle takes in calm pockets: Black Zebra Midge (TBH)
- Perdigon / Fast-Sinking Nymphs for Euro/Indicator rigs — pick at deeper feeding lanes: Egan's Warrior Perdigon - Rainbow
- Sculpin & Baitfish Streamers — for aggressive takes on structure: Coffey's Articulated Sparkle Minnow - Sculpin #4 and Sculpzilla - Natural
- Leech / Big Streamer (lowlight) — work the deep runs and undercut banks: Cheech Leech - Black
Tactics, Rigs & Presentation
- Nymphing: Start with an indicator or euro set-up. Use a tungsten Pat's/Rubber-Leg or Perdigon as a point fly, with a smaller pheasant-tail or midge dropper above in faster seams.
- Dry-Dropper: Late-summer hopper/dropper rigs are deadly. Use a buoyant hopper (sizes 6–10) with a size-14–18 soft nymph 18–30" under it. Cast to foam lines and eddies near riffle tails.
- Dry-Fly: In calm windows and evening caddis activity, shorten your leader and use a size-14–18 caddis or PMD imitation. Keep tippet fine (5X–6X) where trout are finicky.
- Streamers: Retrieve aggressively through deep runs and structure at low light — olive/brown sculpin patterns, articulated baitfish, and leeches produce big fish. Use stout tippet for big browns.
- Depth & Speed: Fish the current seams — trout hold on the edges of faster water. Slow your nymph drift; dead-drift and strike indicators work well in tailwater seams.
- Dry-Dropper: Late-summer hopper/dropper rigs are deadly. Use a buoyant hopper (sizes 6–10) with a size-14–18 soft nymph 18–30" under it. Cast to foam lines and eddies near riffle tails.
- Dry-Fly: In calm windows and evening caddis activity, shorten your leader and use a size-14–18 caddis or PMD imitation. Keep tippet fine (5X–6X) where trout are finicky.
- Streamers: Retrieve aggressively through deep runs and structure at low light — olive/brown sculpin patterns, articulated baitfish, and leeches produce big fish. Use stout tippet for big browns.
- Depth & Speed: Fish the current seams — trout hold on the edges of faster water. Slow your nymph drift; dead-drift and strike indicators work well in tailwater seams.
Where to Focus
- Above & immediately downstream of Philpott Dam — classic tailwater trout lies in seams and heads of runs (special-regulation reach).
- Bassett / North Bassett stocking reaches — good numbers of stocked rainbows mixed with wild fish; read signage for stocked-permit rules.
- Fieldale / Martinsville downstream areas — more varied species mix; smallmouth appear in lower sections and structure holds larger browns.
Local Tips & Etiquette
- Carry and display a valid Virginia fishing license and any stocked-trout permit required for the stocked sections.
- Respect private property — many accesses are on or near private lands. Use public pullouts and posted access points only.
- Fish handling: use barbless hooks where possible, keep fish in water during release, and be particularly careful with larger brown trout in the protected slot.
- Safety: late-summer thunder storms are common — secure boats and avoid exposed wading during lightning. Current near releases can be stronger than it looks.
