James River - VA

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

68

Orvis's Tip of the Week

Smallmouth fishing has been good. Looks like some of the guides are still getting some action with musky as well. Recent rain brought the river up, but it looks like things are starting to recede. We're moving right along into our topwater season. White Booglebugs on top have been productive as well as deer hair frogs.

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Map of James River

Water Flow Data

Tidal Conditions

5-Day Outlook as of 5/16/24

This Afternoon A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Tonight Patchy fog after 5am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Calm wind. Friday A chance of showers before 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2pm and 5pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5pm. Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Friday Night Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 63. Light southeast wind. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Saturday Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 73. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Saturday Night Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 61. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. Sunday Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Sunday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. Wednesday A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Techniques & Tips as of 5/16/24

Try fishing topwater bugs or frogs right now on a floating line.

Local Species Available

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    Musky

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    Smallmouth Bass

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    Carp

Orvis's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Sneaky Pete Popper Olive 4
Josh's Wiggle Hellgrammite Black 1
Classic Frog
Clouser Minnow Chartreuse/White 1/0
Finesse Gamechanger White 2
Dahlburg Diver Frog Green 1
Claw dad Brown 2
Todd's Wiggle Minnow White 2

Sneaky Pete Popper

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Item #0762

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Orvis's Recommended Gear

Description: About James River

Ranked as one of the top Smallmouth Rivers on the east coast, the middle/upper James also gives the angler a chance at spotted and largemouth bass. The area above Lynchburg will see the opportunity for Musky. The James is broken up by its numerous rock gardens, grass beds and riffles. Then where the river drops you will encounter up to class 3 rapids. The James is a year round fishery with the best fishing being May through October. Baitfish and crayfish are the smallmouth’s main sources of protein. The summer months see the fish feeding on damsels, dragon flies and cicadas. The summer flows also offer the best and safest wading opportunities. The James is managed as a trophy Smallmouth fishery (all smallmouth 14 to 22 inches must be released), Smallmouth up to five pounds is common, but the average size James River Smallmouth is 14-15 inches. Rich in American history the James is often referred to as “America’s River”. Along its banks you’ll notice the rail road tracts which are laid on the tow path of the Kanawha Canal. One of if not the last poled ferry’s is at Hatton just up river of Scottsville.

Nearest Airport:

Roanoke Regional Airport

Hatches:

Shiners Crayfish Hellgrammites Dragonflies Damselflies

Best Time to Fish:

Morning to late afternoon

Best Stretch:

Buchanan to Snowden

Best Access: