Seasonal Shift on the Smith River: Late Winter to Early Spring Fishing Update

Matt Tuggle here with Lucky Strips Fly Co. back at it with another seasonal fishing update with conditions we are seeing here on the Smith River in Bassett, Virginia. We have certainly battled the elements throughout the Winter shoulder season this year between the initial 3-4 inch layer of ice we received, topped off with 6-9 inches of snow on top, then hit with another 4 inches the next weekend. After enduring this prolonged period of severely cold temperatures for a lengthened period of time, it is nice to have begun to see glimpses of the light at the end of the tunnel. With the anticipation of warmer days and heightened bug activity that will coincide accordingly we are very excited of what the future time on the water could hold for us!

Spring is right around the corner and just as excited as we are about what that will hold I have to

believe those fish are just as fired up as well! However, still finding ourselves in that late winter season, receiving several days of “false Spring” fooling not only us anglers out there shedding layers but also the fish and insects as well. Last week we had received temperatures into the mid 60’s and the river immediately awakened to a heightened activity of bugs and fish responsiveness. Knowing the consistency of those days are not quite fully here they surely are greatly appreciated in this transitional period we are currently playing. The transitional overlap from one season into another can often produce its own challenges as the vast population of fish begin to respond at slightly different rates. Similar to how we had seen the spawning occur this year with high variable temperatures along with reduction of flows during that same timespan, we noticed an early group of spawners and a slightly later group. More in the sense of it was not all at once. A trend I anticipate we will see in this updating feeding habits out of our vast population of fish. However recent trips have begun to recover more and more participation from our infamous wild inhabitants. It has been an appreciable factor finding fish lined up back in positive holding water and feeding at a slightly elevated rate. Drifts we have sat back and watched float down the run saying “that should hold a fish!” are in fact holding that fish! A great trend we look to see only increase in weeks to come. 

Another notable variable we are playing on the Smith River is the release of water from Philpott Dam. We are on what I refer to as “seasonal low flows” since early October and due to the lack of precipitation in our area; being in a relative state of drought our flows were cut back even further to a measly 45 cfs. It is an unfortunate variable out of our control and raises concerns of environmental impact. I get the concerns and monitoring that is being done by the Army Corps of Engineers in regards to managing lake levels and our regional watershed. Balancing the environmental equation of water coming into the lake system in the form of feeder streams, run-off, and ground water seepage; versus the amount of water they are releasing to filter the Smith River. One positive in the sense of if we are going to run into this concern we’d prefer to have it occur now here in late winter, rather than peak summer where rising temperatures are not a large concern now but would be later. However, I have to think in terms of our wild brown trout and the effect on their residencies they've created and flourished in. From finding adequate spawning ground back in November, targeting shallow runs with oxygenated water, reproducing and enduring the whole process of spawning and laying eggs in shallow runs at 81 cfs, now being reduced to 45 cfs. What would be the lasting effects on those spawning grounds that may not be as suitable as they were back in November, what yields would that effect for future classes of wild brown trout? The sense of just because we have water does not mean it is trout habitable water, the lack of flow will decrease dissolved oxygen metrics and take runs that were once at least on 81 cfs maintaining some degree of depth and pace of current, now holding 3-4 inches of moving current over rocks. Yes the fish adapt and survive these conditions and are suited to adapt within their environment but if there is a way to mitigate unneeded pressures and variables that can be controlled I am not sure what the margin to work with would be and the lasting effect on our trout populations. This over concentration in decreased volume of habitat that is being created does not seem to be too positive on our fish populations, aiding in heightened competition for resources along with limited food availability in those areas. I have already touched on dissolved oxygen levels decreasing with lack of flow in these areas and that factor could affect not only our trout species but the food sources they rely on. And thus outlining my overarching concern of these flows and the effects on our fish population potentially not only being a direct factor correlating to our fish populations but those secondary resources they rely on and support of the full ecosystem. 

In an article meant for seasonal updates I did not want it to hold vast negative connotations of a river we all use and appreciate with concerns over flows, however that has been one of the major seasonal battles we have faced. I understand these agencies controlling these resources are not looking to operate out of ill will towards any users of our resource and you will never appeal to all parties involved, whether it be wade anglers or floaters, lake users or river users; some party is going to feel their resource is drawing the short end of the stick. I am well aware that these agencies are strictly doing their job to the best of their abilities and monitoring variables beyond what I am looking at and concerned over. On a more positive note from these agencies I would like to highlight the efforts being made by VDWR and their efforts in monitoring and supporting not only our fishery here on the Smith but others across the state. Members of the DWR and stocking facilities have been dealt a very tough task of safely and adequately keeping up with their stocking schedules across the state battling the winter conditions and excessive snow and ice we have received. They have had to cancel a few stockings due to environmental conditions and move/pivot their initial plans to stock and maintain fish populations in these ecosystems. Their efforts do not go unnoticed and are greatly appreciated. Here on the Smith we have seen great populations of stocked fish to supplement our current wild trout populations. Along with the supplementary stockings, we have seen a noticeable presence of Conservation Officers patrolling the river. This has been a great effort on their end, one in which I enjoy seeing and speaking with them. Ensure you have proper licensing before fishing our river and doing your due diligence before spending a day on the water. Anglers will need a Virginia freshwater license along with a trout stamp ($23). This information can be found on the DWR website.

(https://dwr.virginia.gov/fishing/regulations/licenses/)

Spring dates are coming off the books in a hurry if you are looking to get out on the water, reach out and reserve your date ASAP. You can reach out via text or call 276-732-0517  or via email luckystripsflyco@gmail.com or through our website booking system.

Available March Dates:   21st and 22nd

Available April Dates:      3rd-10th, 11th, 12th, 18th, 25th, 26th.

As always I greatly appreciate the support and the time reading and keeping up with articles I have developed through observations and time on the water!