Smith River Fly Fishing Guide

Book a guided fly fishing trip on the Smith River with local knowledge, quality water, and a relaxed day built around your experience level. From the Bassett, VA area toward Eden, NC, our guided trips help anglers fish the right stretches, understand the river, and enjoy a better day on the water.

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What You Can Catch on the Smith River

Brown trout are one of the main reasons anglers search for Smith River fly fishing. Certain sections of the river are managed with special brown trout regulations, making it important for anglers to understand the rules before fishing.

Brown Trout

Some sections of the Smith River are stocked with rainbow trout during parts of the year. These areas can be a good fit for newer anglers or anyone looking for steady trout action when conditions line up.

Rainbow Trout

As the river moves farther downstream, smallmouth bass become a bigger part of the fishing opportunity. This can create a different style of trip, especially for anglers who enjoy casting streamers, poppers, or other bass-focused flies.

Smallmouth Bass

Why Hire a Local Smith River Fly Fishing Guide?

The Smith River is the kind of water where local knowledge matters. Flows, access points, weather, season, and fish behavior can all affect the best plan for the day. A guide helps take the guesswork out of the trip.

Choosing the right section of river for the day

Understanding water levels and safe wading conditions

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Selecting flies based on conditions
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Improving casting, presentation, and drift

Learning how to read pools, riffles, seams, and banks

Making the trip easier for beginners and more productive for experienced anglers

Smith River Trips for Every Skill Level

If you are new to fly fishing, we can help with the basics: casting, line control, fly selection, safe wading, and how to approach the water. The goal is to make the day comfortable, educational, and fun.

First-Time Fly Anglers

If you already have some experience, a guided trip can help you sharpen your presentation, understand river structure, and become more confident fishing moving water.

Intermediate Anglers

For anglers who already fish often, the value is local knowledge. We help you focus on productive water, adjust to the day’s conditions, and make the most of your time on the Smith River.

Experienced Anglers

What’s Included in Your Guided Trip

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Guided fishing on the Smith River
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Rods & reels
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Waders & boots (if available)
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Flies & basic tackle
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Lunch
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Hands-on instruction 
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Trip planning based on conditions
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Guided Fly Fishing Trips on the Smith River

For residents of Greensboro and Winston-Salem, an extraordinary fly-fishing destination lies closer than most people realize. Just beyond the North Carolina border, the legendary Smith River winds through the scenic foothills of Bassett, Virginia, offering one of the premier trout fisheries in the eastern United States.

Only 57 miles from downtown Greensboro and approximately 61 miles from downtown Winston-Salem, the Smith River is close enough for a relaxing day trip yet feels worlds away from the pace of everyday life. Here, cool mountain air, towering hardwoods, and crystal-clear water create an unforgettable setting where anglers of every skill level can experience exceptional trout fishing.

Flowing from the depths of Philpott Lake, the Smith River is fed by consistently cold water released from Philpott Dam at approximately 50°F. As it meanders through Bassett, the river typically remains in the low- to mid-50s—ideal temperatures for sustaining a healthy population of wild brown trout and stocked rainbow trout throughout the year. These unique conditions have earned the Smith River a reputation as one of the South’s finest tailwater fisheries.


Whether you are picking up a fly rod for the first time or have spent a lifetime chasing selective trout, a professionally guided trip on the Smith River offers an experience unlike any other. Delicate dry-fly presentations during prolific hatches, exciting nymph fishing through perfectly structured runs, and the chance to hook a trophy brown trout all await just over an hour from home.

Our guided trips are tailored to your goals, whether that means learning the fundamentals of fly fishing, refining advanced techniques, or simply enjoying a peaceful day surrounded by the beauty of Virginia’s Blue Ridge foothills. We provide premium equipment, expert instruction, and intimate knowledge of the river so you can focus on what matters most—immersing yourself in one of the Southeast’s most remarkable trout streams.

Sometimes the finest adventures aren’t found hundreds of miles away. They’re waiting just up the road. Let us introduce you to the remarkable Smith River and show you why anglers from across the country travel here to experience what Greensboro and Winston-Salem residents can enjoy in little more than an hour.

Ready to Fish the Smith River?

Let’s plan a day on the water you won’t forget.

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Frequently Asked Questions

No. Guided trips can be beginner-friendly. If you are new to fly fishing, we can help with casting, gear, flies, and how to approach the water.
Depending on the section and conditions, anglers may have opportunities for brown trout, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, and other river species.
Trips focus on the Smith River around the Bassett, Martinsville, Fieldale, Henry County, and Eden, NC area.

All gear is included depending on the trip. Confirm what you need when booking so we can help you prepare properly.
The Smith River is affected by dam releases and changing flows. Water level can impact safety, access, and fishing conditions, which is one reason local guide knowledge is valuable.