Greenbrier River
river in West Virginia
Flows through the Greenbrier Valley with a mix of gentle pools and riffles, offering good summer smallmouth action and trout in the headwaters near Cass and Marlinton.
Cooling water temperatures are stimulating fish activity
- 01Cooling water temperatures are stimulating fish activity.
- 02Subsurface patterns mimicking baitfish, leeches, and crayfish are highly effective.
- 03Mayfly hatches, particularly Blue-Winged Olives and Pale Morning Duns, may provide dry fly opportunities on warmer, overcast fall days.
- 04Smallmouth Bass will be actively feeding on larger prey in rocky river sections.
- 05Brown and Rainbow Trout will be feeding opportunistically on various nymphs and streamers.
Past reports week by week
11 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun (BWO)
Blue-Winged Olives are actively hatching in early fall, especially on overcast days, making this a reliable low-profile dry fly for selective trout.
Hellgrammite
Hellgrammites are a consistent food source on rocky smallmouth rivers year-round, making this a reliable subsurface pattern for fall bass.
Woolly Bugger (Olive) (Bass)
This classic and versatile streamer effectively imitates leeches and baitfish, which are consistent food sources for smallmouth bass in the fall.
Pine Squirrel Leech (Olive)
Small leech patterns effectively mimic sluggish baitfish and annelids in cooling water, enticing strikes from larger, lethargic trout in the fall.
PMD (Pale Morning Duns)
Pale Morning Duns are actively hatching in the fall, providing a key food source for opportunistic brown and rainbow trout.
Flashback Hare's Ear Nymph
An excellent general searching nymph, mimicking various aquatic insects that remain active in the currents throughout the fall, including mayfly nymphs.
October Caddis (Dry)
The October Caddis hatch is a significant event in the fall, making this a crucial dry fly for rising trout.
Buy at AmazonBead Head Prince
A versatile weighted attractor nymph, effective subsurface in the fall as a variety of aquatic insects are still active in the current.
Where to fish and who to ask
Cass / Upper Greenbrier
Headwater stretches near Cass with cold water trout runs and classic wade fishing.
Lewisburg / Greenbrier Access
Easy town access with multiple public put-ins and good summer smallmouth fishing.
Marlinton / Middle Greenbrier
Popular float and wade sections with a mix of pool-and-riffle water for smallmouth and bass fly anglers.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Mountain Water Adventures
Elkfisher's
First Light Outfitters
Elk River Inn & Cabins
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West Virginia season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Winter Fly Fishing: Essential Cold Weather Tips & Tactics
Master winter fly fishing with proven cold weather strategies, gear selection, and tactics for catching trout when temperatures drop.
Fly Line Types Guide: WF, DT, Running & Shooting Heads
Master fly line selection with our comprehensive guide to weight forward, double taper, running lines, and shooting heads for every fishing situation.
Fly Fishing Pack vs Vest: Which Setup Is Right for You?
Compare fly fishing packs and vests to find the perfect gear setup for your angling style and fishing conditions.
Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses: Lens Color & Polarization Guide
Master lens color selection and polarization technology for superior vision and fish detection on the water.
Fly Fishing Nets – Rubber vs. Nylon & Why It Matters for Fish
The net you choose dramatically impacts fish survival. Here's why rubber nets are superior to nylon for catch-and-release success.
Best Budget Fly Fishing Combo Setups for Beginners
Expert guide to affordable fly fishing combos that won't break the bank but deliver quality performance for new anglers.
Quick answers
Common questions about Greenbrier River.
What flies work best on Greenbrier River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Greenbrier River right now are Flashback Pheasant Tail Nymph (80% confidence), Hendrickson Nymph (80% confidence), Woolly Bugger (Black/Olive) (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Greenbrier River?
Greenbrier River holds Smallmouth Bass, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Greenbrier River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Greenbrier River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.