- (252) 945-9715
- RICHARD@TARPAMGUIDE.COM
Smallmouth bass on the fly are pound-for-pound one of the best fights in freshwater. A 16-inch fish on a 6-weight will test your drag, throw jumps, and make hard runs into the current. They’re far less leader-shy than trout and far more aggressive.
The pinnacle of river smallmouth fishing is catching them on topwater flies such as poppers and terrestrials. Watching a bronzeback blow up on a popper in a slick tailout is what keeps Capt. Richard coming back to these rivers. When the rivers drop and clear in July and August, surface feeding picks up and the topwater fishing gets as good as it gets anywhere in the East.
When the fish aren’t looking up, we switch to streamers. Clouser minnows, deceivers, and crayfish patterns stripped through current on a down-and-across swing trigger reaction strikes from fish holding in deeper water.
We outfit all trips with high-quality gear to match the conditions and fishing style of the day. Our standard setups include 6 and 7 weight fly rods paired with weight-forward floating lines.
We fish a variety of proven patterns depending on conditions:
As a general guideline, fly trips are best in July and August. Flows are at base level, rivers run clear, and smallmouth concentrate in the best holding water and feed aggressively on the surface. Morning and evening topwater sessions are the highlight. That is just a guideline and not a rule, as we catch fish on the fly all summer.
May and June fish well too, especially with streamers and subsurface patterns when water is higher.
If you fly fish for trout, the transition to smallmouth is natural. Same river-reading skills. Slightly heavier rods. Bigger flies. Bigger fish. And unlike summer trout fishing, where warm water temperatures stress fish, smallmouth thrive in July and August heat. No hoot owl restrictions. The fishing gets better as summer gets hotter.
Southwest Virginia, Heart of Appalachia, has three smallmouth rivers: Holston, Clinch, and Powell. These rivers flow into Tennessee, offering fertile waters for bass.
The North Fork of the Holston River is a top smallmouth bass fishery in Virginia, flowing 140 miles and providing ideal habitats.
The Clinch, the crown jewel of the mountain empire, hosts 50 species of mussels and over 100 fish species, feeding smallmouth, walleye, and musky.
The Powell River is the second most biodiverse in Appalachia. Its clear water and habitat offer great bass fishing with varied structures.
Choose from full-day float trips or multi-day fishing packages with lodging on Southwest Virginia’s premier smallmouth rivers.
Basic casting ability is helpful, but you don’t need years of experience. If you can roll cast and manage 30 feet of line, you’ll catch fish. Capt. Richard will coach your presentation and adjust to your skill level.
A 7 weight with a weight-forward floating line is the most versatile. A 6 weight works for lighter presentations. Leaders in the 8 to 10 lb range.
No. Streamers and baitfish and crayfish patterns catch plenty of fish, especially earlier in the season. But topwater is the most exciting presentation and what most fly anglers come here for.
Yes. We carry both setups on the raft. Plenty of guests switch between the two throughout the day depending on conditions and mood.
Our season runs April through August. Prime weekends fill early. Give us a call to lock in your dates.
