Fall is a magical time here in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Around mid September we get the first glimpses of fall when air temperatures drop in the low 60s. This transition from summer to the first stages of fall is one of my favorite times to guide because it means good fishing for river smallmouth. Once water temperatures drop below 70 degrees in September the bass will begin to eat heavily on crayfish and minnow patterns. Early to mid morning is a great time to throw topwater and then there is consistent fishing the rest of the day with moving hard baits. We have great weather in September so the French Broad and the Nolichucky Rivers provide suitable water clarity for good smallmouth fishing. During September & October, anglers are presented with opportunities to catch their personal best river smallmouth. Catching a big smallmouth on conventional tackle or the fly is about as good as it gets for western North Carolina river fishing! Here are some of our most recent catches on our river smallmouth float trips in September.