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Fly Fishing the Smith River

Virginia's finest tailwater and arguably the best wild brown trout fishery east of the Mississippi, the Smith River below Philpott Dam stays cold year-round, supporting a naturally reproducing population with fish commonly 12–18 inches and the occasional 20-plus-inch trophy. Legendary sulphur hatches draw dry-fly anglers from across the Southeast each May and June.

  • 15 shops nearby
  • tailwater
  • Year-round
  • Virginia
  • 7 key hatches
See fly shops ↓

The best time to fly fish the Smith River is Year-round. Key hatches include Midges, Blue, Hendricksons / Red Quills, Sulphurs / Eastern Pale Evening Duns. 15 fly shops near the Smith River can outfit your trip.

Fly shops near the Smith River

Shops and guides that fish the Smith River. See all 20 Virginia shops →

Raleigh Flyfishing Guide Service Orvis EndorsedSmith River OutfittersLucky Strips Fly CompanyNew River Fly FishingRoanoke AnglerAngler's LaneWesley Hodges Fly Fishing
7 fly shops shown

Species on this water

BassBonefishCarpMuskySalmonSaltwaterSteelheadStriperTarponTrout

Nearby towns

IrisburgBassettWillis

Rivers nearby

James RiverSouth Holston RiverWatauga RiverTuckasegee River
Hatches & seasons

When & what to fish on the Smith River

River typetailwater
Best seasonYear-round; peak dry-fly season May–June for sulphur hatches; spring (March–April) for Hendricksons; fall (October–November) for spawning browns on streamers.
AccessNine public access points are managed by Henry County Parks & Recreation and the Dan River Basin Association along Route 57. The primary wade-in access is at Philpott Dam via CR 904 then CR 905 to the parking area; the Smith River Trail runs a half-mile along the south shore. Additional access at Trenthill Bridge in Bassett and River Road (CR 682) in Fieldale. Check TVA discharge schedule at 276-629-2432 before wading.
Key hatches
  • Midges — year-round, the dominant pattern
  • Blue-winged Olive — January through February, October through December
  • Hendricksons / Red Quills — mid-March to mid-April
  • Sulphurs / Eastern Pale Evening Duns — May through June (legendary mass evening hatch)
  • Little Yellow Stonefly — May onward
  • Caddis — spring through fall
  • Terrestrials (ants, beetles, hoppers) — June through September
From The Fly Bench

Tie the flies that work on the Smith River

Step-by-step tying recipes & videos for these patterns.

Browse all 880+ patterns at The Fly Bench
Gear up

Gear up on the Smith River

Everything you need before the next trip — rods, lines, leaders, and fly-tying materials.

Shop the gear Flies that work

The flies that work on the Smith River

Find the most effective patterns for where you're fishing — and learn to tie them yourself, step by step.

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Updated June 2026