In late July, a few days before his wedding, Scott Tucker hit the James River with his dad for what he figured would be his last float trip of the summer. Action was slow in the morning but turned on just before noon. This was the best smallmouth of the day, a 22-inch-long smallmouth.

Mark Taylor is outdoors editor at The Roanoke Times.

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Mark Taylor

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Overview

With summertime water levels better on the New River than they have been in years, smallmouth bass action has been good. The fishery was already popular, but this summer the popularity is through the roof.

One angler reported counting 42 trailers at the public launch at Whitethorn on a recent day. Another said he could look up and down the river on one stretch and see 27 different watercraft.

The New is big water, but that kind of pressure is going to slow things down.

The best way to avoid the crowds is to get out on the water during the week. Anglers who can only get away on weekends are best off concentrating on more remote floats. Another option? Moving from the New to public sections of small tributaries.

Lakes

Stripers are in tight schools at Smith Mountain Lake, reports Dewayne Lamb at Captain's Quarters Marina. The best fishing has been in the main channel of the Roanoke River arm, between markers R18 and R21, and R25 and Halesford Bridge. Because the fish are at depths of 40-60 feet, and often relating to submerged trees, fishing with live bait on downlines has been the most effective method.

Night bass fishing remains good. Winning weights at the weekend night tournaments dropped a little, according to Mike Snead at the Virginia Outdoorsman, but action has still been pretty good. Texas-rigged finesse worms and Carolina-rigged big plastics have been responsible for some of the better catches.

Bass fishing has been tough at Claytor Lake, where winning night tournament weights have been in the 10-pound range. Catfishing remains good.

Streams

Fishing pressure has been heavy and the smallmouth bass action only fair on the New River, according to John Zienius at Big Z's in Radford. Even the normally solid night bite has cooled down.

James River smallmouth action has been fair, with the best fishing in the middle of the day.

Terrestrial flies are working OK for trout on tailwaters.

Saltwater

Anglers willing to make the long run to the South Tower off Virginia Beach have been crushing the amberjack, reports Dr. Julie Ball.