Virginia
Smith River at Bassett
Location Snapshot
Smith River at Bassett lies within the southern Virginia river corridor downstream of Philpott Dam, where cold releases support trout through a broad valley channel. Brown trout is the principal supported target.
Current River Rating
Poor · 39
Conditions are unfavorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Wait
Limited opportunity
Timing Outlook
No reliable fishing window is recommended while current river conditions remain Poor.
Why
- Very clear skies may make trout more cautious in shallow water.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Blocking Factors
- Water temperature is unfavorable for trout fishing.
Timing Evidence
Air temperature is comfortable for a river trout trip.
Current Readings
- Flow
- 153 CFS
- Gage Height
- 1.78 ft
- Water Temperature
- 44.2 °F
- Observation Time
- Oct 20, 2026, 9:40 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 02072500 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
42°F
Feels like
34°F
Wind
8 mph NW
Wind gust
11 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 5:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Tue 6 AM
Clear
Temp 42°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Tue 10 AM
Clear
Temp 57°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Tue 2 PM
Clear
Temp 69°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Tue 6 PM
Clear
Temp 66°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Tue 10 PM
Clear
Temp 52°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Wed 2 AM
Clear
Temp 48°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Clear
High 71°F / Low 42°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 18 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Clear
High 68°F / Low 45°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 16 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Clear
High 73°F / Low 46°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 9 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Clear
High 68°F / Low 46°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 14 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
The Smith River at Bassett is cold water released from Philpott Dam. Brown trout water runs about 31 miles from the dam to Mitchell Bridge, and a stocked section begins around North Bassett.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Smith River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Target species
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Wild
- Flow regime
- Tailwater
Best seasons
- Spring
- Fall
Common techniques
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Spinning
Official sources
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Parachute-style dryGeneral attractor dry family — not a claim that a named mayfly is hatching.
- Pheasant-tail-style nymphGeneral nymph family for trout rivers without destination hatch timing.
- Elk-hair-style dryGeneral dry/attractor family. Pattern choice only — not a report that caddis are hatching.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral streamer family. Not a forage or insect Hatch event.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Virginia
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
Target Species
Brown Trout
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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