Smith river Bassett Virginia 10/5/20:

[AndyS]

First cast was for Cuz, and that goes without saying.

Tried my hand a wade access on the Smith (last time I floated it) Used the hand out map from Smith River Outfitters and starting finding my way around pretty well. Started up by the Philpott dam and worked my way down through Bassett, wading was tough as water releases were a little on the high side- 600 CFS. Caught 3 powerful small native brown trout and did one distance release. Water was pretty well stained but the weather was finally nice, been like 90* here everyday for the last 4 months it seems. Leaves became a PIA so maybe my next outing I will head to the suds and look for Redfish and Spanish Mackerel. Maybe I can get on the Watagua or back on the Smith in November, also took a few days off around Veterans Day to see I can get up to N.J. and get some pizza, and trout

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sggo5eQ2ODE

https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?02072500

[bigfishy]

Nice report!!! Love the riverside map!!

[Capt. Lou]

That’s a nice hiding place for big girls ! November thru winter that stream should be hot !

[tautog]

Not too many big girls in the Smith. Lots of 7"-12" fish hiding behind shoreline current breaks when the water is flowing and spread out all over when the flow is low.

[FASTEDDIE29]

Well done Andy. Looks like your figuring out your game plan down there. River looks like a good time. Hopefully you’ll find some surprises in there. Beautiful Brown Trout.

[thmyorke1]

those browns looks beautiful, in perfect shape. The trout fishing in the south sure is interesting, nice report!

[Doug Vitale]

Originally Posted by AndyS

First cast was for Cuz, and that goes without saying.