Water Level Blog by Harry Murray
The water levels in 2018 in the Shenandoah Valley from May until October was a period when the smallmouth rivers changed almost week to week.
One particular evening after I closed my fly shop I decided I was going to fish the North Fork of the Shenandoah River no matter what shape it was in. I went to a stretch just north of Edinburg, which I fish often and was familiar with as far as the depth, streambottom, and bank covers.
I was shocked with both the water level of the river and the color of the water. The river was about two feet higher than the level I normally fish at this time of the year. Plus the color was a dark chocolate color. These were far from ideal conditions. However, I was there so I decided to make the most of it.
I waded into the river, but due to the high water water level I could only get out about ten feet from the bank. Using a sinking tip line with a Murray’s Olive Marauder size 6 I caught a large bass on the first cast. Much to my amazement I continued to catch many more bass as I waded downstream. Under these conditions the water before me was only three feet deep. Since this was normally home for many minnows I assumed that since the water was so discolored the bass apparently felt free to feed here and to strike my flies.
Over the years I’ve taken advantage of these conditions often and I’ve had wonderful fishing.
For more information on stream conditions for mountain trout streams, stocked trout streams and smallmouth rivers close to our fly shop in Edinburg, VA check our stream report page on our website.