Welcome to James River Smallmouth!This site provides all the information needed on the upper-middle James River in one spot, gauges, predictions and weather. Providing fishing reports and the lessons learned canoeing, camping and fishing on the James River over the past forty years. You can find all kinds of great information about fishing, camping and canoeing on the JRS Blog. Also please follow us on Twitter and Facebook, just click on the links at the top right of this page. That's where you'll find current fishing reports, river reports and fishing news.
Why the Smallmouth Bass?
The Smallmouth Bass fight like no other type of bass. Their strength and ability to use the river current to run and jump far exceeds the other types of bass. Fishing for smallmouth and adjusting to the constant changing river conditions and rapids can be very challenging . I fish for all kinds of fish depending on the season and the ability to get on the river. But if I had my choice I would fish Smallmouth year round! I have fallen in love with the Smallmouth, and the James River. Give it a try sometime, you will too! Winter 2021, Happy New Year! If you have an upcoming event, pictures, comments or questions. Please email them to dougreynolds@jamesriversmallmouth.com. Pictures, please include as much information as you can, name, date and time, rough location on the James, lure, length, weight, etc. Below are a few pictures to show off the fun. You can follow me live from the river on Twitter! Be sure to Like us on Facebook.. Thanks Darn, I've even gotten myself fired up for the sounds of the river. No place I'd rather be, on the river with a breeze in my face, an eagle in the sky and a Smallmouth, on my line. As always, lets go fishing! Doug Reynolds |
|
QUICK LINK to the Cartersville, Virginia River Gauge.
The Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu) Via VDGIF
Other Common Names Bronzeback, black bass
Identification Coppery-brown above, with greenish- brown sides with darker vertical bars. Three dark bars radiate from the eye on the cheek and gill cover. Dorsal fin is not as deeply notched as the largemouth. Upper jaw extends back only in line with the middle of the eye. A 4 or 5 lb. fish is considered a trophy.
Best Fishing Lakes: Claytor, Smith Mountain, Philpott, Moomaw, and South Holston Rivers: James (above the fall line); New; South Fork, North Fork, and mainstem Shenandoah; Rappahannock (above the fall line); Maury; North Fork Holston; Potomac, North Anna and Clinch.
Fishing Techniques: fly, spincasting and baitcasting rods
Feeding Habits: Crayfish are a favored prey as are madtoms. Also feeds on adult larval insects such as mayfly nymphs, and hellgrammites, tadpoles and other small fish.
Habitat Native to Tennessee and Big Sandy River drainage streams of southwest Virginia. Introduced into all major fast-flowing rivers and cool lakes. Prefers clear flowing streams and rivers with rock, bedrock and gravel bottoms and numerous riffles, and cool deep water of large, clear reservoirs with boulders and gravel bottoms. Most active in 67° to 72°F water, and intolerant of silty, warm and polluted water.
Spawning Habits Males build nests on sand, gravel, or rubble bottom, usually 2 to 4 ft. deep, with spawning in late April to early June as water temperatures exceed 60°F. Male guards nest and fry.
Other Common Names Bronzeback, black bass
Identification Coppery-brown above, with greenish- brown sides with darker vertical bars. Three dark bars radiate from the eye on the cheek and gill cover. Dorsal fin is not as deeply notched as the largemouth. Upper jaw extends back only in line with the middle of the eye. A 4 or 5 lb. fish is considered a trophy.
Best Fishing Lakes: Claytor, Smith Mountain, Philpott, Moomaw, and South Holston Rivers: James (above the fall line); New; South Fork, North Fork, and mainstem Shenandoah; Rappahannock (above the fall line); Maury; North Fork Holston; Potomac, North Anna and Clinch.
Fishing Techniques: fly, spincasting and baitcasting rods
Feeding Habits: Crayfish are a favored prey as are madtoms. Also feeds on adult larval insects such as mayfly nymphs, and hellgrammites, tadpoles and other small fish.
Habitat Native to Tennessee and Big Sandy River drainage streams of southwest Virginia. Introduced into all major fast-flowing rivers and cool lakes. Prefers clear flowing streams and rivers with rock, bedrock and gravel bottoms and numerous riffles, and cool deep water of large, clear reservoirs with boulders and gravel bottoms. Most active in 67° to 72°F water, and intolerant of silty, warm and polluted water.
Spawning Habits Males build nests on sand, gravel, or rubble bottom, usually 2 to 4 ft. deep, with spawning in late April to early June as water temperatures exceed 60°F. Male guards nest and fry.