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James River Overview
The mighty James River flows from the confluence of the Cowpasture and Jackson
Rivers across the state to the Chesapeake Bay. Excellent fishing exists throughout
the river. Upstream of the fall line in Richmond (Upper James), smallmouth bass
are the predominant gamefish species; however, largemouth bass, channel
catfish, a variety of sunfish species, and even musky are available. The tidal
section of the river (Lower James) below the fall line provides excellent freshwater
fishing for catfish, largemouth bass, and striped bass. Nearer the Bay saltwater
species such as spot, croaker, flounder, and trout are plentiful.
Rivers across the state to the Chesapeake Bay. Excellent fishing exists throughout
the river. Upstream of the fall line in Richmond (Upper James), smallmouth bass
are the predominant gamefish species; however, largemouth bass, channel
catfish, a variety of sunfish species, and even musky are available. The tidal
section of the river (Lower James) below the fall line provides excellent freshwater
fishing for catfish, largemouth bass, and striped bass. Nearer the Bay saltwater
species such as spot, croaker, flounder, and trout are plentiful.
Upper James River Fishing Report
Although bank and wade fishing opportunities exist along the Upper James, float
fishing in a canoe or other small boat is the preferred way to fish this section of
the river. The VDGIF web site provides maps and access points. Float trips from
a few hours to a few days are available. To visit the VDGIF site, click here. Bruce
Ingram's book Fishing the James River is the authoritative work on the James
and is a must-have for James River anglers. It is quite affordable and available
on this page and on our Products page.
Smallmouth Bass: Smallmouth bass can be caught year round throughout the
river. In cold water, try small jigs (1/8 oz - 3/8 oz) in natural colors - hair jigs, tube
baits, and jig & pig combinations can all work. Suspending jerkbaits, stickbaits,
and Senkos are also excellent choices. Focus on slow-moving water and the
deeper pools. If the bite is slow, downsize baits and slow down the retrieve.
Larger fish are often caught in cool water conditions whereas summer produces
increased numbers of fish. In warm water, grubs and jigs remain good choices,
but add small (1/4 oz) spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, and crankbaits to your arsenal as
well. Artificial helgrammites are another good choice. Of course, live bait
(minnows, crawfish, and helgrammites) will always do the trick.
fishing in a canoe or other small boat is the preferred way to fish this section of
the river. The VDGIF web site provides maps and access points. Float trips from
a few hours to a few days are available. To visit the VDGIF site, click here. Bruce
Ingram's book Fishing the James River is the authoritative work on the James
and is a must-have for James River anglers. It is quite affordable and available
on this page and on our Products page.
Smallmouth Bass: Smallmouth bass can be caught year round throughout the
river. In cold water, try small jigs (1/8 oz - 3/8 oz) in natural colors - hair jigs, tube
baits, and jig & pig combinations can all work. Suspending jerkbaits, stickbaits,
and Senkos are also excellent choices. Focus on slow-moving water and the
deeper pools. If the bite is slow, downsize baits and slow down the retrieve.
Larger fish are often caught in cool water conditions whereas summer produces
increased numbers of fish. In warm water, grubs and jigs remain good choices,
but add small (1/4 oz) spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, and crankbaits to your arsenal as
well. Artificial helgrammites are another good choice. Of course, live bait
(minnows, crawfish, and helgrammites) will always do the trick.
Virginia Outdoors - A Resource for Virginia Anglers and Hunters
Virginia Outdoors - James River (Upper)
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Fishing the Upper James River
James River Fishing Guides
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June 30, 2010 Rob England of Appalachian Bronzeback Adventures (www.
appbronzebackadv.com) reports:
The James River is running very clear and getting a bit low, however the fishing
has been as hot as the weather. The best patterns are soft plastics in natural
colors - green pumpkin. The key to getting fish to bite, especially larger fish, is to
totally dead stick the bait. One of our favorite baits is a 5" finesse worm rigged on
a 1/4oz. spot remover hook, some fisherman refer to this as a shaky head rig.
I am convinced the profile of this bait looks like a hellgramite feeding on the
bottom of the river. This tactic really turns fish on. Dead sticking takes a great deal
of patience and so many fisherman want to overwork a bait. Fish this bait like live
bait and only occasionally move or twitch the bait. You will be successful!
July 19, 2010 LE Rhodes of Hatchmatcher Guide Service provided the following
fishing report for the Upper/Middle James River:
Height/ feet - 3.0 Scottsville
CFS- 1190 Scottsville
Temperature/Vis- 86 degrees 60 plus inches Vis
The James has been fishing great. Conventional anglers have been having
success throwing soft plastics such as Flukes-Grubs and Stick baits. Top water
action has been seen using Tiny Torps, Pop R’s and Skitter Pops.
Fly Anglers are finding fish looking up and sipping poppers. Some quality bugs
are Walt’s Poppers and Boggle Bugs. Colors to fish have been Blue, Olive and
Black. Bait fish patterns fished in the current breaks and push water have
produced some very nice fish the past couple weeks.
The work on the Hardware Bridge project looks to be coming to an end very soon.
It is going to be nice. You can check out the progress from start to the current
status by going to my Facebook page Hatchmatcher Guide Service.
I have limited dates available through August. Give me a call and lets fish!
*NOTICE-HOWARDSVILLE BOAT RAMP IS CLOSED *
The landowner and VDGIF are working on getting it back open to the public as
soon as they can. The Hardware ramp is slated to be open around the first of July.
I’ll be sure to let everyone know of the progress of both these ramps as time goes
by.
appbronzebackadv.com) reports:
The James River is running very clear and getting a bit low, however the fishing
has been as hot as the weather. The best patterns are soft plastics in natural
colors - green pumpkin. The key to getting fish to bite, especially larger fish, is to
totally dead stick the bait. One of our favorite baits is a 5" finesse worm rigged on
a 1/4oz. spot remover hook, some fisherman refer to this as a shaky head rig.
I am convinced the profile of this bait looks like a hellgramite feeding on the
bottom of the river. This tactic really turns fish on. Dead sticking takes a great deal
of patience and so many fisherman want to overwork a bait. Fish this bait like live
bait and only occasionally move or twitch the bait. You will be successful!
July 19, 2010 LE Rhodes of Hatchmatcher Guide Service provided the following
fishing report for the Upper/Middle James River:
Height/ feet - 3.0 Scottsville
CFS- 1190 Scottsville
Temperature/Vis- 86 degrees 60 plus inches Vis
The James has been fishing great. Conventional anglers have been having
success throwing soft plastics such as Flukes-Grubs and Stick baits. Top water
action has been seen using Tiny Torps, Pop R’s and Skitter Pops.
Fly Anglers are finding fish looking up and sipping poppers. Some quality bugs
are Walt’s Poppers and Boggle Bugs. Colors to fish have been Blue, Olive and
Black. Bait fish patterns fished in the current breaks and push water have
produced some very nice fish the past couple weeks.
The work on the Hardware Bridge project looks to be coming to an end very soon.
It is going to be nice. You can check out the progress from start to the current
status by going to my Facebook page Hatchmatcher Guide Service.
I have limited dates available through August. Give me a call and lets fish!
*NOTICE-HOWARDSVILLE BOAT RAMP IS CLOSED *
The landowner and VDGIF are working on getting it back open to the public as
soon as they can. The Hardware ramp is slated to be open around the first of July.
I’ll be sure to let everyone know of the progress of both these ramps as time goes
by.
Canoe the New client James T. with a
nice SeptemberJames River smallmouth!
nice SeptemberJames River smallmouth!
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