Working now in Virginiathe last 14 days

Name: What's Working Right Now in Virginia
License: https://flyfindr.co/terms

Live fly fishing recommendations across 6 Virginia waters. Top 25 flies ranked by FlyFindr confidence score from the last 14 days.

All Virginia waters

6Waters tracked

6Reports read

Oct 16Updated

01
Pheasant Tail Nymphnymph
A versatile nymph, excellent for imitating smaller mayfly nymphs like BWOs which are active in fall.
Rapidan Riverfrom 1 report
80%
02
Baby Brown Trout (Streamer)streamer
Excellent for targeting larger, aggressive Brown Trout in the fall as they feed heavily to prepare for winter, mimicking juvenile trout.
Smith River (Martinsville / Philpott Lake)from 1 report
80%
03
Zebra Midgenymph
A classic and highly effective midge imitation, essential for enticing selective Rainbow and Brown Trout in the Smith River's tailwater conditions during fall.
Smith River (Martinsville / Philpott Lake)from 3 reports
80%
04
Hellgrammite Flynymph
A consistent subsurface pattern for Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass in rocky river sections, imitating a year-round food source that is active in the fall.
Smith River (Martinsville / Philpott Lake)from 3 reports
80%
05
Flashback Hare's Ear Nymphnymph
An excellent general searching nymph that mimics various aquatic insects active in the currents, effective year-round for Rainbow and Brown Trout, and particularly in fall.
Smith River (Martinsville / Philpott Lake)from 3 reports
80%
06
Travis Hi-Vis BWO Para Emergeremerger
Crucial for fall BWO hatches, effectively imitating emerging insects and offering high visibility to detect subtle takes from Rainbow and Brown Trout.
Smith River (Martinsville / Philpott Lake)from 2 reports
80%
07
Woolly Bugger (Olive)streamer
A versatile streamer pattern that imitates leeches and baitfish, effective for enticing aggressive strikes from Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, and Smallmouth Bass in colder fall waters.
Smith River (Martinsville / Philpott Lake)from 4 reports
80%
08
Isonychia Dundry
Isonychia are actively hatching in fall on freestone rivers, making this a prime pattern for rising trout.
Rapidan Riverfrom 1 report
80%
09
Zebra Midgenymph
Midges are a primary and consistent food source year-round, effective as a subsurface searching pattern in cooling fall waters.
Rapidan Riverfrom 3 reports
80%
10
Mr. Rapidan Parachute Drydry
A reliable dry fly choice for rising trout on the Rapidan River, matching active caddis and mayfly hatches.
Rapidan Riverfrom 1 report
80%
11
Blue-Winged Olive Comparadundry
Fall BWO hatches are important, and this low-profile dry fly is excellent for selective trout feeding on emergers and adults, especially on overcast days.
Rapidan Riverfrom 2 reports
80%
12
Black Woolly Buggerstreamer
A slow-stripped or dead-drifted black streamer imitates leeches and sculpins, effective for enticing aggressive strikes from larger trout in fall.
Rapidan Riverfrom 1 report
80%
13
Baby Brown Trout (Streamer)streamer
This streamer is particularly effective in fall when larger brown trout become more aggressive, targeting smaller baitfish.
Rapidan Riverfrom 1 report
80%
14
Mr. Rapidan Bead Head Nymphnymph
This local favorite effectively imitates the abundant subsurface insects drifting in the current of the Rapidan River.
Rapidan Riverfrom 1 report
80%
15
Midgenymph
Midges are a primary and consistent food source in tailwaters year-round, making them exceptionally effective in fall for consistent trout catches.
Smith River (Martinsville / Philpott Lake)from 1 report
80%
16
Micro Eggnymph
Fall is spawning season for some trout species, making egg patterns effective for opportunistic feeders in the drift.
Rapidan Riverfrom 1 report
80%
17
Hare's Ear Nymphnymph
An essential, versatile searching nymph that imitates a wide range of aquatic insects, a consistent food source for both carp and bluegill year-round.
James River (Richmond/Pony Pasture)from 1 report
80%
18
Clouser Crayfishstreamer
Crayfish are a primary food source for bottom-feeding carp and opportunistic bluegill in rocky river environments, effective when stripped along the bottom.
James River (Richmond/Pony Pasture)from 1 report
80%
19
Blue-Winged Olive Comparadundry
Fall BWO hatches occur, and this low-profile dry fly is excellent for selective bluegill feeding on emergers and adults.
James River (Richmond/Pony Pasture)from 2 reports
80%
20
Scud (Pink/Orange)nymph
Freshwater shrimp (scuds) are a consistent food source in aquatic vegetation. Pink or orange variations can be very effective for carp and bluegill feeding on these year-round amphipods.
James River (Richmond/Pony Pasture)from 1 report
80%
21
Woolly Bugger (Olive)streamer
A highly versatile streamer imitating leeches and baitfish, which are consistent food sources for both carp and bluegill, especially effective as water cools in fall.
James River (Richmond/Pony Pasture)from 4 reports
80%
22
Squirmy Wormynymph
A year-round producer, particularly effective after rain events that wash aquatic worms into the river, appealing to both carp and bluegill.
James River (Richmond/Pony Pasture)from 1 report
80%
23
Popping Bug (Bass)dry
On warmer fall days in southern regions, topwater action can still occur, creating an enticing surface disturbance for aggressive bluegill.
James River (Richmond/Pony Pasture)from 1 report
80%
24
October Caddis (Dry)dry
October Caddis hatches can provide significant dry fly opportunities in the fall, attracting both carp (opportunistically) and bluegill.
James River (Richmond/Pony Pasture)from 2 reports
80%
25
October Caddis (Dry)dry
If you spot larger caddis fluttering on the surface, this is your go-to. The largest caddis of the year, it can draw aggressive topwater takes from carp and bluegill on the right day.
Shenandoah River (North Fork)from 2 reports
80%

Ranked by Fly Findr confidence across recommendations issued in the last 14 days. Mentions count approved bite reports for Virginia waters in the same window.