James River - VA

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

60

Orvis's Tip of the Week

Fish low and slow in the morning with crayfish and baitfish patterns. Cooler nights have started to cool things off and the afternoon bite has been better. Keep plopping those poppers and topwater bugs. Lots of big fish have been responded to the splat and wait.

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Map of James River

Water Flow Data

Tidal Conditions

5-Day Outlook as of 9/11/25

Today Sunny, with a high near 82. Calm wind. Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. Calm wind. Friday Sunny, with a high near 83. Calm wind. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 55. Calm wind. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 56. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 88. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 60. Monday Sunny, with a high near 87. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 57. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 84.

Techniques & Tips as of 9/11/25

Low and clear conditions have been standard here lately. Be sure to size down on tippet 16 lb - 12lb or 8 lb even. The afternoon topwater bite has been awesome. Long casts with good dead drifts along the bank or mid river structure has been really effective.

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 Chartreuse 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:

Narrow Passage to Lynchburg

Best Access: