Smallmouth Short Trip

"Many go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after." - Henry David Thoreau

 

Standard 7-8" North Fork Bronzeback

James and I decided to fish this past weekend and try to replicate Friday's success on the North Fork of the Shenandoah.  We put-in at Lupkins in Woodstock, paddled .75 miles upstream to the first major riffle and float-fished back down the river anchoring, fishing, moving, anchoring and fishing. 

 

Fish full-flex(es) James' long rod

 

 Fishing was slower than on Friday, primarily because I spent too much time swinging streamers to attractive but unproductive water.   I should have adopted a 3-cast and move on rythm earlier.  I fished my Access 5 wt paired with a 6wt line and James fished a 6 wt full-flex Fenwick which was challenged by his up-gunned line-weight and tandem streamers. 

 

 

 

 

 

Tip-up: I let the rod do the work in alight rain

We finally found several deep runs with a seemingly inexhaustable supply of medium-sized bronzebacks.  We fished these until we wanted to look for new prospects.   We had the most sucess swinging tandem golden retrievers deep but also enjoyed success fishing a nymph-droppers behind a small-med popper.  I used both blue and white poppers with equal success.  I quit at 40 after 4 hours.   James had a decent catch rate as well particularly after we switched up rods and rigs to get him onto the fish more efficiently.   On the way back to NOVA we recon'd the confluence of the North and South Fork in Front Royal and I may make my next smallmouth foray to the South Fork IVO Front Royal.   This looks like canoe fishing deep runs, ledges, etc.  Give me a call if you're looking to get out on the river, and head into the Woodbridge Orvis Store for casting instruction, trips and golden retrivers tied by Scott.

 

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"Unless one can enjoy himself fishing with the fly, even when his efforts are unrewarded, he loses much real pleasure. More than half the intense enjoyment of fly-fishing is derived from the beautiful surroundings, the satisfaction felt from being in the open air, the new lease of life secured thereby, and the many, many pleasant recollections of all one has seen, heard and done."

- Charles F. Orvis