Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders
Durable, breathable four-layer waders built as a daily driver for seasons of wading.
Pack It For: Sep to May
Check Price Maker's PageRivers & StreamsFly FishingSpin, Cast & Bait
Upper James River Fishing Guide
Virginia
The upper James from the Jackson and Cowpasture rivers near Iron Gate about 90 miles down to Lynchburg, where Virginia DWR reports good numbers of muskies and a smallmouth bass fishery on the rise.
Part of the James River.
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to the Upper James River for smallmouth bass, bluegill, muskellunge, channel catfish and flathead catfish. In November, smallmouth bass is prime, and Ned Rig, Jerkbait and Tube Jig are a good place to start.
There are 11 shops nearby (6 fly, 6 bait and tackle; some are both), including Angler's Lane in Forest. Also nearby: Smith Mountain Lake.
Season at a Glance
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Smallmouth Bass
Bluegill
Muskellunge
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
Legend
This Month Prime: Top Months Open, Slower Spawning No Agency Season Found
Agency: Virginia DWRSpawning: Virginia DWR: Smallmouth Bass; Bluegill; Muskellunge; Channel Catfish; Flathead Catfish
Season Rules & Licenses
- Virginia DWR rule for the James River from the Jackson and Cowpasture confluence down to the 14th Street Bridge in Richmond (2026): no largemouth or smallmouth bass 14 to 22 inches may be kept; only 1 a day over 22 inches (5 a day statewide). Below the 14th Street Bridge (the fall line) tidal rules apply. Virginia DWR 2026
Rules: our short summary, not the official text. Gear & Tackle is independent, not a government site; rules change, so read the agency's current rules before you go.
Most anglers need a Virginia fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state.
Parts of the James River
- Main PageJames RiverVirginia's largest river, about 300 miles from the Appalachian Mountains through Richmond to the Chesapeake Bay, with smallmouth bass above the fall line and trophy blue catfish in its tidal water.
- Rivers & Streams · Virginia · You're HereUpper James RiverThe upper James from the Jackson and Cowpasture rivers near Iron Gate about 90 miles down to Lynchburg, where Virginia DWR reports good numbers of muskies and a smallmouth bass fishery on the rise.
- Rivers & Streams · VirginiaMiddle James RiverThe middle James from Bent Creek below Lynchburg to Watkins Landing above Richmond, where Virginia DWR samples smallmouth bass, sunfish and channel and flathead catfish.
- Rivers & Streams · VirginiaJames River (Richmond)The James at Richmond, the fall-line stretch from Bosher's Dam down to the 14th Street Bridge, where smallmouth bass are the most common game species.
- Rivers & Streams · VirginiaJames River (Tidal)The tidal James below the fall line in Richmond, which Virginia DWR calls a nationally recognized trophy blue catfish fishery, with largemouth bass in its tidal creeks.
Upper James River Species
Smallmouth Bass
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Prime: Jan to Apr, Sep to Nov
Spawning: Mar to May, per Virginia DWR
View Species
Bluegill
No agency season found.
Spawning: Jun to Jul, per Virginia DWR
View Species
Muskellunge
No agency season found.
Spawning: Mar to Apr, per Virginia DWR
View Species
Channel Catfish
No agency season found.
Spawning: Apr to Jun, per Virginia DWR
View Species
Flathead Catfish
No agency season found.
Spawning: May to Jul, per Virginia DWR
View SpeciesSpecies per Virginia DWR.
Images: Duane Raver and Ryan Hagerty, USFWS. Public domain.
What to Use
Fishing In
Fish● Prime in November
Smallmouth Bass
Prime Now · Jan to Apr, Sep to Nov
Fly
9 ft 6 or 7 wt rod, floating line, 10 to 12 lb leader. Crayfish patterns, Clousers, and poppers.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodOrvis Clearwater 9 ft 6 wt Fly RodCheck Price
- ReelRedington Behemoth Fly Reel · for 6 or 7 weightCheck Price
- LineScientific Anglers Mastery Infinity Fly Line · 6 or 7 wt.Check Price
Tie On in November
Typical picks from October, our closest listed month. Ask a local shop what is working in November.
- Fly for October · #2/0-6Clouser MinnowSee Options
- Fly for October · #6-10Crayfish FlySee Options
Spin / Cast
7 ft medium spinning rod, 2500 reel, 8 lb braid to a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodSt. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod · 7 ft 0 in, medium, fast, 6 to 12 lb line, 1 pieceCheck Price
- ReelPflueger President Spinning Reel · size 30 (braid 190/8)Check Price
- LinePowerPro Spectra Braided Line · 8 lbCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Lure for November · 2.5 to 3 inNed Rig · Z-Man Ned Rig KitCheck Price
- Lure for November · 1.5 to 4.75 inJerkbait · Rapala X-Rap JerkbaitCheck Price
- Lure for November · 2.75 to 3.5 inTube Jig · Strike King Tube JigsCheck Price
Picks: general for this fish, each checked against state and federal agency pages, not specific to this water. Ask a local shop what is working.
Gear: rods, reels and lines are starting points, sized from each maker's page. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Buy Local
Shops near Upper James River:
- Angler's Lane, ForestWebsite
- Sportsman's Warehouse, LynchburgWebsite
- Happie Hippie Camp Store, Clifton ForgeWebsite
Map of Upper James River
Planning for a Month
Prime in November
Smallmouth Bass
Daylight
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Moon
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Typical Weather
58°F high, 32°F low
About 3.2 in of precipitation for the month.
Typical Flow
1,378 cfs
Most years 763 cfs to 5,582 cfs.
Typical, Not a Forecast: weather from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals at a station about 11 mi away; flow from USGS gauge 02024752, 2005 to 2026.
Also Worth Packing
Clothing for November comes first, picked from typical weather here.
Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Wading Boots
Supportive wading boots with determined traction for a full range of wading conditions, worn over waders or wading socks.
Pack It For: Year-round
Check Price Maker's PageNets & Tools
Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net
A floating trout net with tangle-free micromesh rubberized netting and a flat bottom that supports the fish's weight evenly.
Check Price Maker's PageTerminal Tackle
Gamakatsu Circle Hooks
Circle hooks designed to set in the corner of a fish's mouth, for fresh and saltwater bait fishing.
Check Price Maker's PageTerminal Tackle
Egg Sinkers and Swivels
Egg sinkers, swivels, and beads for slip-sinker and Carolina rigs.
Check PriceApparel
Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer
A 100% merino wool base layer for temperature regulation and moisture management, under waders or a jacket.
Pack It For: Dec to Feb
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Glacier Glove Alaska River Flip Mitt
Fingerless fishing gloves with a fold-over mitt for cold hands between casts.
Pack It For: Dec to Feb
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Frogg Toggs Pro Action Rain Jacket
A durable, waterproof hooded jacket for a wet month.
Pack It For: May
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Simms SolarFlex Sun Hoody
A UPF 50+ hooded sun shirt with a vented hood and extended sleeves, for long, bright days.
Pack It For: May to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Buff CoolNet UV Neckwear
A UPF 50 sun gaiter for the face and neck.
Pack It For: May to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageWaders & Boots
Simms Neoprene Wading Socks
Worn inside wading boots in place of waders when the water is warm enough to wet wade.
Pack It For: Jun to Aug
Check Price Maker's PageSome links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Ramps and Launches on Upper James River
Source: Virginia DWR Boating Access Locations. Hours and fees change; check before you go.
Shops Near Upper James River
Farther Out
Guides and Charters Near Upper James River
GuideFly Fishing
John Roberts Fly Fishing
Lexington, Virginia
Per their website: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout
GuideFly Fishing
Blue Ridge Fishing Adventures
Rockbridge Baths, Virginia
Per their website: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Float Trips, Wade Trips
GuideFly Fishing
Wesley Hodges Fly Fishing
Eagle Rock, Virginia
Per their website: Smallmouth Bass, Muskellunge, Full-Day Trips, Float Trips
