James River - VA

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

75

Orvis's Tip of the Week

Weather has been really cold this week. Be careful on the river with potentially hazardous ice on the banks and boat ramps. Fishing has been good this month. Seeing lots of activity during the major and minor feed windows during the day. Incoming fronts have been getting musky fired up as well. We've been having success on lots of different patterns lately including sucker colored pacchiarini style flies and mega gamechangers.

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Map of James River

Water Flow Data

Tidal Conditions

5-Day Outlook as of 1/11/25

This Afternoon Isolated snow showers before 5pm, then a chance of flurries with isolated snow showers after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 34. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 15. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light after midnight. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 40. Calm wind becoming southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 20. Light and variable wind. Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 42. Light west wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 20. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 29. Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 12. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 27. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 13. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 38. Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. Friday Sunny, with a high near 45.

Techniques & Tips as of 1/11/25

Focus on the deeper slow parts of the river. Fish are holed up in their winter lies. Be patient when you are in some fishy looking water and fish it thoroughly. Don't be afraid to lap a section of river during a major feeding window.

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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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:

Iron Gate to Alpine

Best Access: