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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 and Maury 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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May 29, 2011 Rob England of Appalachian Bronzeback Adventures
(www.appbronzebackadv.com) reports:
While we have still had to pick our spots between rain events and high water,
fishing has been very good when we have been able to get out. In higher flows,
spinnerbaits and crankbaits are the best bait. Our best pattern recently has been
crawdad imitation crankbaits that run for 3' - 5'. Live Target has a new series of
crawdad imitating crankbaits that have terrific action. They are relatively expensive
but have proven to be worth investment.
Always check the USGS real-time streamflow data before going out on the water
or check with an outfitter or local guide to get a recommendation on where the
best float may be currently or whether it is safe to go out. Normal flow is around 1'
- 2' and any flow above 4' gets difficult to fish. Any flow over 6' is not safe to go out.
January 24, 2012 LE Rhodes of Hatchmatcher Guide Service provided the
following fishing report for the Upper/Middle James River:
The river conditions have been unstable for the past couple weeks. Rising water
and cloudy to muddy conditions have had the smallmouth fishing come to a
standstill. I have been able to get out Muskie fishing but have had only a couple
follows with no fish boated. The water temperatures have dropped and will
probably hold around the 40 degree mark. When the conditions improve continue
to go with crayfish imitations such as pig & jigs and Tubes. A hair jig can also be
productive this time of year. I always try to match what the fish are feeding on. I
guess that comes with being a fly fisherman. In order for me to do so, I also need
to know what the food source is at that given time. As it's winter the crayfish is
most likely what will prompt a fish to feed. Here's a little bio on the crayfish from
one of my presentations: Crayfish represent an important diet of the smallmouth.
They thrive in rivers around semi soft bottoms with rocks, wood, grass, and clay
banks. Water temperatures along with length of days determine activity periods.
They hibernate in winter and are usually moving about in the early spring, before
most fishermen begin to fish. The crayfish is characterized by a joined head and
thorax and a segmented body, which is sandy yellow, green, or dark brown. They
average about 3 inches in length. They have a hard outside body. They regularly
outgrow their shell and shed it. This is called molting and occurs six to ten times
their first year of growth. After each molt they have soft skeletons and are more
vulnerable to fish. Pig & jigs, tubes and Soft plastic imitations (Beavers, Rodents,
Road Kills) will all be good choices for spin fishermen. For the fly angler a
Clawdad, Rhodes Rattle-N-Claw, Trow Tube Fly or a Ritt's Fighting Cray fish are
all patterns to have in your box.
(www.appbronzebackadv.com) reports:
While we have still had to pick our spots between rain events and high water,
fishing has been very good when we have been able to get out. In higher flows,
spinnerbaits and crankbaits are the best bait. Our best pattern recently has been
crawdad imitation crankbaits that run for 3' - 5'. Live Target has a new series of
crawdad imitating crankbaits that have terrific action. They are relatively expensive
but have proven to be worth investment.
Always check the USGS real-time streamflow data before going out on the water
or check with an outfitter or local guide to get a recommendation on where the
best float may be currently or whether it is safe to go out. Normal flow is around 1'
- 2' and any flow above 4' gets difficult to fish. Any flow over 6' is not safe to go out.
January 24, 2012 LE Rhodes of Hatchmatcher Guide Service provided the
following fishing report for the Upper/Middle James River:
The river conditions have been unstable for the past couple weeks. Rising water
and cloudy to muddy conditions have had the smallmouth fishing come to a
standstill. I have been able to get out Muskie fishing but have had only a couple
follows with no fish boated. The water temperatures have dropped and will
probably hold around the 40 degree mark. When the conditions improve continue
to go with crayfish imitations such as pig & jigs and Tubes. A hair jig can also be
productive this time of year. I always try to match what the fish are feeding on. I
guess that comes with being a fly fisherman. In order for me to do so, I also need
to know what the food source is at that given time. As it's winter the crayfish is
most likely what will prompt a fish to feed. Here's a little bio on the crayfish from
one of my presentations: Crayfish represent an important diet of the smallmouth.
They thrive in rivers around semi soft bottoms with rocks, wood, grass, and clay
banks. Water temperatures along with length of days determine activity periods.
They hibernate in winter and are usually moving about in the early spring, before
most fishermen begin to fish. The crayfish is characterized by a joined head and
thorax and a segmented body, which is sandy yellow, green, or dark brown. They
average about 3 inches in length. They have a hard outside body. They regularly
outgrow their shell and shed it. This is called molting and occurs six to ten times
their first year of growth. After each molt they have soft skeletons and are more
vulnerable to fish. Pig & jigs, tubes and Soft plastic imitations (Beavers, Rodents,
Road Kills) will all be good choices for spin fishermen. For the fly angler a
Clawdad, Rhodes Rattle-N-Claw, Trow Tube Fly or a Ritt's Fighting Cray fish are
all patterns to have in your box.
Canoe the New client James T. with a
nice SeptemberJames River smallmouth!
nice SeptemberJames River smallmouth!
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