High Water, High Spirits: Kicking Off Float Season on the Shenandoah

On May 31, we floated approximately 12 miles of the Shenandoah River. Leading up to the trip, I had been closely monitoring the weather. In recent summers, the Shenandoah has struggled with low water flows, but this year, thanks to abundant rain in March and May, flows have been much higher.

The week before our float, the area received about 1.5 inches of rain, causing the river to spike from 1,300 CFS to nearly 2,800 CFS on the day of our trip.

The Fly Craft ready for the first float of the year!

Trip Mentality

Knowing high flows were likely, we brought two rods: a 7-weight with an intermediate line and a 9-weight with an intermediate line. The plan was to use these setups to handle heavy streamers and adapt to the rising water. Water clarity was going to be critical. From the bridge above our takeout, the river looked green and healthy, but as we got underway, we quickly realized visibility was not what we expected, with barely a foot of visibility and fast water, we knew it was going to be a challenging day.

Trip Overview

We started by trying to fish flies about a foot below the surface. We went with  a “swingin D” fly which allowed us to fish subsurface and use that low visibility to our advantage.  With the goal of trying to find slower moving water, we aimed for the banks and slowly stripped our flies back to the boat. Unfortunately, the flows were simply too fast for effective fly fishing. Switching to spinning gear, we began casting along the banks with the same idea with the fly. About an hour in, we netted the first smallmouth of the year. 

While the fishing was slow, the current was not. We covered a lot of water, finishing the 12-mile float in about five hours. Realizing flies weren’t going to cut it, we stuck with the spinning rod and focused on pounding the banks where the water slowed a bit. This strategy paid off when, just over halfway through, we hooked into a nice  smallmouth that put up a great fight. It was the last fish of the day, but it was a beauty.

Josh with a nice smallmouth to start the year!

Although the fishing wasn’t nonstop, there was plenty of excitement to keep us entertained. Bald eagles and hawks flew overhead, while carp splashed downstream, keeping us guessing about what was happening around us. We also encountered snakes. One snake, which we managed to film, was eating an eight-inch catfish. I also had a close encounter with a five-foot banded river snake that somehow ended up on the raft. After a few choice words I won’t repeat here, I tried (unsuccessfully) to knock the snake off with my oar. Pro tip: don’t try to punch a snake. All I did was make it mad, and it stared me down from a foot away. Thankfully, my friend used the spinning rod to guide the snake down the oar and back into the water.

We ended the float with plenty of laughs—and me paranoid about another snake hiding in the raft.

Lessons Learned

Although we didn’t catch a ton of fish, the trip was a success. Bringing gear that allowed us to adapt to the river conditions was essential. Here are a few notes I jotted down after the float:

• Plan ahead and be prepared for anything.

• Being able to adapt can mean the difference between getting skunked and catching fish.

• Don’t try to punch a snake in the face—you won’t win.

  

  Our new snake friend on his way home after hitching a ride!

Summary

Overall, I count the first float of the year as a tremendous success. From trip prep to fish in the boat, it was a great day that got me excited for the season ahead. If current flows are any indication, we’re in for a great year on the Shenandoah. I can’t wait for some topwater action and, hopefully, the chance to target some massive carp.