Trip brief · James River
How to go fish the James River
The months we list for the James River are May, June, July, August, September, October. You are inside that window now, so this brief is written for August.
August
No USGS gauge is mapped to this river.
Flies to tie — August
Streamers#2-6
Clouser Minnow
Topwater#4-8
Sneaky Pete Popper
Access
Hardway Boat Landing (Lynchburg)
37.412, -79.157parking
Scottsville Canoe Landing
37.793, -78.502parking
Reusens Dam Area (Upper Gorge)
37.457, -79.182parking
Belle Isle, Richmond
37.529, -77.463parking
Regs — check current rules before you go
Virginia freshwater fishing license required. Smallmouth bass season is open year-round on the James with a 12-inch minimum size and daily creel limit of 5. Special trophy regulations may apply in designated sections; check Virginia DWR current regulations. Musky regulations require catch-and-release in most sections. James River Association canoe landing permits are not required for fishing access but respect private property on the banks.
Pack list
- A current state fishing licence
- Waders and boots you have already leak-tested
- Net, nippers, forceps
- Floatant and desiccant
- Tippet in the sizes the chart asks for
- Water, sun cover, polarised glasses
Generic gear. Anything specific to this water is above.
Full hatch chart, access map and live gauge on the James River page →