Smith River Virginia Hatches and Trout Flies
Smith River has a rich aquatic and terrestrial habitat. Our information on aquatic insects is based on our stream samples of larvae and nymphs. We base fly suggestions on imitating the most plentiful and most available insects and other foods at the particular time you are fishing. Our Expert local guides have specific imitations of all the insects in the Smith River and in all stages of life that are applicable to fishing.
The freestone section of the river has a large diverse population of aquatic insects but not very many of any one species. The brook trout can be fooled with several different attractor or generic flies. Matching the hatch isn’t that important most of the time. From here on we will concentrate on the tailwater section of the river.
As with many other tailwaters, the midge is king on the Smith River. It is not as popular as one might expect, we believe, simply because the locals haven’t really caught on the fishing midge imitations. Fishing tiny flies on light line for big brown and rainbow trout takes some time to get used to. However, once any angler sees just how effective midge fishing can be, they can become addicted to it in a very short time. It is tough fishing flies you can’t see to trout you can’t see but all in all it is the most effective way to catch trout consistently on this river. You should have a good selection of midge larvae, pupae and adults anytime you fish this river.
Hendricksons hatch from about the middle of March through the middle of April. It is not huge but it can bring on some decent dry fly fishing. There are hatches of various species of Blue-winged Olives, none of which are very consistent. You will find them from January through February but only here and there.
The cloudy, overcast days are best but even then, you may not find a hatch occurring. The little BWOs hatch again in the late fall from about the first of October through December but again, it is not consistent or dependable. If you find them hatching by all means fish it.
The Sulphur hatch is the big event of the year. The hatch is usually very good and trout can be taken on dry flies. It is actually a Eastern Pale Evening Dun hatch for the most part. Both the true Sulphurs and the PEDs exist in the stream. It usually starts about the first of May and last through the month of June. The slightly larger PEDs start first and the smaller Sulphurs follow.
Terrestrials can be important during the summer. From around the first of June through September, you will find imitations of beetles, ants and grasshoppers work great. Another plentiful insect is the moth larva, or inch worm most anglers call them. They work well during the summer when the little worms are falling off the tree limbs. Another overlooked insect is the Crane Fly. They are very plentiful in April and May but are present throughout most of the warm months. Our “Perfect Fly” Crane Fly Larva and Adult imitations work great on the Smith River.
Don’t forget the streamers. Next to the midge imitations, they may well be the most important fly to use on this river. Imitations of sculpin, small crawfish, minnows, and baitfish work great, especially for the large trout during high stream flows (from the banks, please don’t wade) and anytime the water is off color. They work great very early and late in the day when the light levels are low.