West Virginia's October Smallmouths

Fall river fishing options!

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On The Fly Freshwater

October 2026

By Jimmy Jacobs.

The Mountain State boasts an array of great rivers for targeting smallmouth bass with the fly rod.

Many of the rivers in West Virginia have rocky strata on the bottom, covered with cool, oxygen-loaded flows. The areas of boulders, ledges and gravel washed by rushing currents provides ideal conditions for smallies. There is plenty of forage, spawning grounds and lots of ambush points.

In the months of spring during the spawn or the summer when the topwater action can be as hot as the temperatures, anglers regularly target the species in the moving waters of the state. Especially during the summer, having one of these fish break the surface while inhaling a popping bug is often followed by an aerial display during the ensuing fight. This kind of fishing can be addictive.

Photo by Jimmy Jacobs.

But all good things come to an end. Fall arrives with cooler temperatures and the disposition of the bronzebacks changes. By October the usual pattern is for the fish to abandon the shallows and riffles, moving into deeper slower part of the flow. Additionally, the forage on which they feed becomes less available. Insect populations both subsurface and on top of the water are then declining. Crayfish have begun to burrow into the mud or hide in deep rock crevices where they are much harder for the smallmouths to get to them. Finally, the slowing metabolism of the smallies, makes them less inclined to feed, as well as diminishing their desire to chase after bait fish. Beginning this month, they are going to a feed on any easily attacked forage, but chasing after active minnows is not part of the game.

Still, that doesn’t mean that the fish can’t be caught. You just have to adjust your tactics to these changing conditions. As mentioned, expect the smallmouths to move to deeper areas of the river starting this month. The fish are looking for spots with slightly warmer water found in pools or bends of the river. Where there are boulders or rock ledges in these places the bronzebacks like it even better. Another place to find smallmouths at this time is on the down current side of bridge pilings. Such structure can provide breaks in the current. Water that is moving slower is another situation the smallies are seeking.

One real advantage of this behavior is the conditions encourage multiple bass to be in close proximity. If you catch one out of these deeper locations, there likely will be others there as well.

When targeting such portions of the rivers, you have to also adjust your tactics. The watch words for this angling are “deep and slow.” Weighed flies that get down in the water column quickly are best. As to patterns, crayfish or minnow imitating flies still work. With the minnow ones, it is best to retrieve them like wounded or confused bait. Again, the smallmouths are looking for easy prey at this time of year.

Now that we have handle on where to look for and how to target these fall smallmouth bass, let’s look at a trio of Mountain State rivers that provide above average opportunities for catching those fish this month.

New River

Photos by Jimmy Jacobs.

Anyone rating West Virginia’s best smallmouth fishing waters is likely to have the New River at the top of the list. The New, which is one of the oldest rivers in the world, rises far to the south in North Carolina and flows north across Virginia before entering West Virginia. Eventually is joins the Gauley River to the southeast of Charleston to form the Kanawha River. Undoubtedly, the most famed portion of the flow both from the stand point of scenery and smallmouth bass action lies within the New River Gorge National Park. This park covers 72,000 acres in Fayette, Raleigh and Summer Counties.

That part of the river is known for producing lots of smallmouths, including plenty that are in the trophy size-range. This is big water and best target by float fishing. Be aware, however, that it also has a strong current and requires the ability to handle a boat in those conditions. Targeting water willow beds along the shore, rocky points and current breaks produce the best action.

Greenbrier River

The upper Greenbrier River. Photo by Polly Dean.

Overall, the Greenbrier River is more manageable for most anglers that as is the New. The upper portion of the Greenbrier in Pocahontas County has many shallow, wadeable sections with mild riffles separating calmer pools. While the bronzebacks will run smaller than on the New, the fish are numerous and 18-inchers do turn up.

Farther downstream in the middle to lower parts of the river run, the Greenbrier offers fishing more suited for float trips. The smallies turn up here along rock ledges, in current seams or around submerged logs or other woody debris.

North Fork Potomac River

Located in Grant County, the river’s official name is the North Fork of the South Branch Potomac River. But everyone knows it as the North Fork Potomac River. More often associated with trout fishing, this flow also holds a good population of bronzebacks. In fact, the portion of the river from Judy Gap down to near the junction with the South Branch Potomac at the community of Cabins, gets stocked smallmouths are stocked in October, thru the winter months and into the spring.