Smith River (Martinsville / Philpott Lake)
river in Virginia
Philpott Lake impoundment and the free-flowing Smith below the dam create varied fisheries for trout, smallmouth, and largemouth with plentiful public accesses around Martinsville.
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
What's working on Smith River
- 01Today's conditions on the Smith River are 59°F with fog and light winds, suggesting cool water temperatures.
- 02USGS flow data is currently unavailable, but typical fall conditions indicate low and clear water.
- 03Midge activity is consistent year-round in this tailwater, making midge imitations a go-to choice.
- 04Fall Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) hatches are expected in October, offering dry fly opportunities, especially on overcast days.
- 05Streamer fishing will be very rewarding for larger brown trout aggressively feeding before winter.
Past reports week by week
8 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Midge
Midges are a primary and consistent food source in tailwaters year-round, making them exceptionally effective in fall for consistent trout catches.
Baby Brown Trout (Streamer)
Excellent for targeting larger, aggressive Brown Trout in the fall as they feed heavily to prepare for winter, mimicking juvenile trout.
Zebra Midge
A classic and highly effective midge imitation, essential for enticing selective Rainbow and Brown Trout in the Smith River's tailwater conditions during fall.
Buy at AmazonHellgrammite Fly
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.
Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) Comparadun
Matches the expected fall BWO hatches, especially on overcast days, making it ideal for selective Rainbow and Brown Trout feeding on adults in the surface film.
Buy at AmazonFlashback Hare's Ear Nymph
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.
Travis Hi-Vis BWO Para Emerger
Crucial for fall BWO hatches, effectively imitating emerging insects and offering high visibility to detect subtle takes from Rainbow and Brown Trout.
Woolly Bugger (Olive)
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.
Where to fish and who to ask
Martinsville City Park Access
Convenient urban access below Philpott with wadeable runs and productive bass water.
Philpott Lake Dam / Tailwater
Tailwater and reservoir access producing trout and bass fishing depending on season and water release patterns.
Snow Creek / Rockingham Access
Smaller tributary access points known locally for trout and technical small-stream dry-fly fishing.
Fly shops within 40 miles
New River Fly Fishing
Roanoke Angler
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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 Smith River (Martinsville / Philpott Lake).
What flies work best on Smith River (Martinsville / Philpott Lake)?
Our top scored fly patterns for Smith River (Martinsville / Philpott Lake) right now are Hellgrammite Fly (80% confidence), Woolly Bugger (Olive) (Bass) (80% confidence), Clouser Minnow (Bass) (Chartreuse/White) (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Smith River (Martinsville / Philpott Lake)?
Smith River (Martinsville / Philpott Lake) holds Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Smith River (Martinsville / Philpott Lake) fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Smith River (Martinsville / Philpott Lake) each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.