Hatch-chart pattern list
Best Flies for James River (Virginia)
The James River in Virginia fishes as both a wade and a float. It is a freestone fishery for Smallmouth Bass and Musky, with the most reliable window in May, June, July. The patterns below are matched to the hatch chart we publish for this water. They are not a live report of what other anglers caught this week.
What's hatching now
Month, insect, size, and pattern from the James River hatch chart. August is highlighted when that month exists in the chart. We do not invent a hatch that is not on the chart.
| Month | Insect | Size | Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | Caddis | #14-16 | Elk Hair Caddis |
| May | Hellgrammite | #4-8 | Clouser Hellgrammite |
| Caddis | #12-16 | Stimulator | |
| June | Crayfish | #4-8 | EP Crayfish |
| Poppers | #2-6 | Deer Hair Popper | |
| July | Poppers | #2-6 | Foam Popper |
| Crayfish | #4-8 | Clouser Crayfish | |
| August | Streamers | #2-6 | Clouser Minnow |
| Topwater | #4-8 | Sneaky Pete Popper | |
| September | Crayfish | #4-8 | EP Crayfish |
| Streamers | #2-4 | Woolly Bugger | |
| October | Streamers | #2-4 | Zonker |
Nymphs
Subsurface patterns matched to this river's chart and catalog. Fish them at the size the chart lists, not the size that looks good in the bin.
Dries
Dries and terrestrials for the James River. If the chart says a size 18 PMD, do not start with a 12.
Streamers
Streamers and wets for stained water, banks, and low light. This is not a claim that streamers are "on" today.
Setup
4X and 5X cover most nymphing. 4X on dries until the fish get picky, then 5X. A 3.0–3.8mm tungsten on the point and a lighter dropper is a default until you see the water. Tight-line the near bank and the heads of pockets. Use an indicator only when you need to search water you cannot euro.
FAQ
- What flies work on the James River?
- Start with Elk Hair Caddis and Stimulator, then match size to the hatch chart for the month you are standing in. The James River does not need a 40-pattern box. It needs the right size on the insect that is actually in the drift.
- When is the best time to fly fish the James River?
- The editorial window we list is May, June, July, August, September, October. That is a planning month range, not a guarantee. Shoulder months can fish well if flows and water temperature cooperate.
- Do I need a guide on the James River?
- Virginia has walk-up wade water and, on some sections, float water. A guide is worth it for a first float or a technical tailwater. A hatch chart and a gauge are enough for a first wade if you already nymph. We list local guides and shops on this page when we have them.
- Where can I see live flow for the James River?
- Open the James River river page for the USGS gauge, access notes, and the same hatch chart this fly list is built from. We do not publish other people's spots or fish counts.
- Is this a report of what's working now on the James River?
- No. Executive Angler does not publish other anglers' catches, GPS, or a crowdsourced hot fly. This page is hatch-chart patterns plus catalog flies. Presence on the river page is gauge and weather only.
Related
James River
Access, hatch chart, USGS gauge.
Virginia
Trip planning for this region.
Elk Hair Caddis
Dry
Stimulator
Dry
Clouser Minnow (Trout)
Streamer
James River Fly Shop Guide Team
Blue Ridge Angler
Waynesboro, VA
James River Fly Shop
26 Valley St, Scottsville, VA 24590
New River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.
Rapidan River
Open the river guide, then its fly list.