We are officially into the fall season here in Southwest Virginia, with a week of cooler temperatures and some much-needed rain in the forecast. As we move into October, we can begin to anticipate some shifts in the fishing on the Smith River in Bassett, Virginia. Fall can be one of the most anticipated seasons to get out and fish a tailwater, and the Smith River is a unique fishery because Philpott Dam provides cold-water releases that support trout fishing year-round. The river’s...

If you’re planning a fishing trip in Southwest Virginia, you have two very different options. You can chase trout on the Smith River near Bassett. Or you can float the New River looking for hard-fighting smallmouth bass. Both are excellent fisheries. But they offer completely different experiences. So which one is right for you? Here’s the simplest way to think about it: Smith River = trout. New River = smallmouth bass. Beyond that, the differences get more interesting. Smith River vs. New...

If you're looking for an exciting fishing trip in Southwest Virginia this fall, the New River smallmouth bass fishery deserves a serious look. From the Martinsville and Bassett area and our home waters here on the Smith, to the surrounding New River region, fall offers anglers an opportunity to target hard-fighting smallmouth bass while enjoying some of the best scenery of the year. As summer begins to fade and water temperatures drop, New River smallmouth bass transition into their fall...