Best Flies for James River (Virginia)

What's hatching now

Month, insect, size, and pattern from the James River hatch chart. October is highlighted when that month exists in the chart. We do not invent a hatch that is not on the chart.

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.

• 

  Flashback Hare's Ear

  #12–#18

• No photograph

  Soft Hackle Carrot

  #12–#18

• 

  Squirrel Nymph

  #10–#16

• 

  Beadhead Caddis Pupa

  #12–#18

• 

  Mop Fly

  #10–#14

• 

  Walt's Worm

  #12–#16

• 

  Blowtorch

  #12–#16

• 

  Green Rock Worm

  #12–#16

• No photograph

  Egan's GTi Caddis

  #10–#14

Dries

Dries and terrestrials for the James River. If the chart says a size 18 PMD, do not start with a 12.

• 

  Elk Hair Caddis

  #12–#18

• 

  Stimulator

  #8

• 

  Goddard Caddis

  #10

Streamers

Streamers and wets for stained water, banks, and low light. This is not a claim that streamers are "on" today.

• 

  Clouser Minnow (Trout)

  #6

• 

  Woolly Bugger

  #2

• 

  Olive Woolly Bugger

  #6

• 

  Zonker

  #4

• 

  Partridge and Green

  #12

• 

  Leadwing Coachman

  #12

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?

The James River has no USGS gauge mapped yet. The river page says so; we are not guessing a number. Access notes and the hatch chart are on that page. 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.

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