General Bead Size for Hooks – Size Chart
Bead Size (mm & in) Hook Size Common Fly Patterns 1.5mm | 1/16″ 20-24 Small Emergers, Midges 2.0mm | 5/64″ 18-22 Small Perdigons, Small
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Fly Fishing Podcast–January 2026
This fly fishing podcast will cover the predictions for the stocked trout streams, native brook trout streams and smallmouth rivers this month. Back
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How Trout Feed During Winter: Biology, Metabolism, and What It Means for Anglers – Part Two of Two
By understanding trout metabolism and feeding behavior in winter, anglers like you can adjust your tactics, choose the right gear, and enjoy productive
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How Trout Feed During Winter: Biology, Metabolism, and What It Means for Anglers – Part One of Two
Winter dramatically changes how trout feed, where they hold, and how anglers should approach the river. Cold water, limited insect activity, and shorter
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Premium Indian Hackle Cape
The Complete Guide to Premium Indian Hackle Capes: A Classic, Affordable Hackle for Every Fly Tyer When it comes to fly tying, selecting
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Fly Fishing in December Podcast
Fly fishing in December in the cold might deter you but the stocked trout are feeding. The DWR continues to stock streams throughout
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Nymphs for Stocked Trout Streams
There are several nymphs that are very effective in the winter on the stocked trout streams. So let’s discuss those. If the streams
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Fly Fishing in November Report
Fly fishing in November for smallmouth bass can be tricky but not impossible. As the water temperatures are cooling the bass are moving
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Trophy Smallmouth
One of my favorite times of the year is upon us. There’s no doubt that if you want to target trophy smallmouth on
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Trout Fishing in the Shenandoah National Park 101 Class at Murray’s
Have you ever dreamed of casting a line into crystal-clear mountain streams, surrounded by the quiet beauty of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains? Whether
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Basic Fly Tying 101 Class at Murray’s Fly Shop
Learn the Art of Fly Tying. If you’ve ever looked at a fly and wondered “Could I make that?”, the answer is a
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Autumn Fly Fishing for Stocked Trout
Many anglers enjoy fly fishing on the stocked trout streams in Autumn not only for the fishing but also for the views. The
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Fly Fishing in August
Fly fishing around the aquatic grassbeds in August is one of my favorite things. They hold great numbers of shiner minnows which the
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Deer Hair Bass Bugs for Smallmouth Bass
By the end of July I start fishing deer hair bass bugs. Why? They seldom let me down and also I think big
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Crayfish
When it comes to fly fishing for smallmouth bass, most anglers think of poppers, streamers, or woolly buggers. While those classics certainly catch
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Hellgrammites
Hellgrammites are the aquatic larvae of dobsonflies, prehistoric-looking insects with wicked mandibles and enormous wings. These larvae live in the rocky bottoms of
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Fly Fishing Tips for July
My tip for fly fishing for smallmouth bass this month–crayfish patterns. We now have the largest populations of crayfish in our rivers I’ve
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Beetle and Ant Patterns for Native Brook
The Summer Secret: Why Beetle and Ant Patterns Shine on Native Brook Trout Streams When summer sun warms the forested hills and freestone
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Fly Fishing in June
Fly fishing in June is one of my favorite months for both native brook trout and smallmouth bass streams. After the recent rains
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Dry Fly Floatants Pt.2 – Powdered Floatant Video Comparison
Do they keep your dry flies riding high? Do these powders change the color of the fly? How messy are they to deal
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Fly Fishing with Poppers for Smallmouth Bass
Fly fishing with poppers for smallmouth bass is an exhilarating pastime that combines strategy, precision, and the sheer thrill of topwater action. This
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Best Fly Fishing Floatants Compared: Gink, Loon, High N Dry, SA & More
When it comes to dry fly fishing, the right floatant can make all the difference. Whether you’re targeting rising trout on a mountain stream
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Fly Fishing Schools at Murray’s Fly Shop
Looking at the calendar, I realized my son just finished the fly fishing schools for the native brook trout streams. Now I need
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Fly Fishing in May for Trout and Bass
Fly fishing on the native brook trout streams in May brings many opportunities as there are several hatches occurring. The Light Cahill hatch
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The Shad Run is NOW – Virginia Shad Fishing!
Shad Fishing in Virginia – A Spring Tradition You Don’t Want to Miss When spring rolls around in Virginia, anglers across the state
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March Brown Mayfly Hatch
March Brown mayflies are the third major hatch that occurs on the streams, right after the Quill Gordon and Blue Quills. Often you
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Fly Fishing in April for Native Brook Trout
Fly fishing in April on the native brook trout streams is very exciting. We have three major hatches occurring this month and we
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Blue Quill Mayfly Hatch
The Blue Quill mayflies emerge from the stream in mid-day and continue until dusk. The Quill Gordons are still hatching as well. The
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March Fly Fishing for Smallmouth Bass
March brings with it the uncertainty of the weather. One day it’s 25 degrees, the next it’s 45 and then it’s 60 with
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Murray’s Fly Shop Indicators
Choosing the Right Strike Indicators for Fly Fishing Many anglers find that Strike Indicators are essential tools for fly fishing, helping anglers detect
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Quill Gordon Mayfly Hatch
The Quill Gordon is the first major mayfly hatch to occur on the native brook trout streams in the Spring. After spending almost
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Fly Fishing in March: Targeting Smallmouth Bass and Native Brook Trout
Fly Fishing for Smallmouth Bass in March: Tips and Techniques Fly fishing in March for smallmouth bass can be a challenge. Water temperatures
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Fly Fishing in February
Fly fishing in February for smallmouth bass is difficult but certainly not impossible. During periods of high water the powerful flows cut back
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Fly Fishing with Nymphs for Trout
Throughout the winter and in early spring, fly fishing with nymphs is my favorite type of trout fishing. I often use nymphs as
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Fly Tying Tip: Tying with the Next Generation Articulated Shanks
Revolutionizing Fly Tying: Fish Skull’s Next-Generation Articulated Shanks For fly tyers who demand innovation, durability, and versatility, Fish Skull’s next-generation articulated shanks represent
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Sink Tip Fly Line
In my personal fishing, a sink tip fly line is very important. I rely strongly on one for smallmouth bass fishing in the
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Fly Fishing in January
Fly fishing in January can be tough but not impossible. The bass are lethargic and they are not actively feeding. By using a
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Fishing & Tying A Murray’s Hellgrammite
The natural habitat for the hellgrammite are beneath cobblestones on the bottom of the river, and their greatest concentrations are in the riffles
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Winter Trout Fishing
During the winter, one can often catch many trout in the deep pools on the Murray’s Marauder (pearl or black). Cast a size
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Fly Fishing in December
Let’s talk a little bit about the fly fishing options available in December. I have some friends who insist on fishing for smallmouth
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Nymph Fishing for Rainbow and Brown Trout
The challenge in nymph fishing for trout is detecting the strike in time to set the hook. I will explain the three techniques
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Fishing with Streamers for Rainbow and Brown Trout
Fishing with streamers is very productive. Large rainbows and brown trout feed heavily on minnows in all streams. Whether I’m fishing the Yellowstone
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Fly Fishing in November
Fly fishing for smallmouth bass in November can be tricky but not impossible. Many large smallmouth bass seek protected feeding stations in the
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Fall Fly Fishing on the Stocked Trout Streams
Fall fly fishing on the stocked trout streams can be challenging but worth it. Big Stoney Creek west of Edinburg, VA is close
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Fly Fishing in October
This month I am going to discuss fly fishing in the smallmouth bass, stocked trout streams and brook trout streams. Let’s start with
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Fly Tying Workshops at Murray’s Fly Shop
Fly tying has many benefits to anglers. First, some find it relaxing after a hard day of work. Others like to turn it
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Fly Fishing in September
Fly fishing in September can be very productive on both the smallmouth streams and the native brook trout streams. The cooling rivers in
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Smallmouth Fly Fishing on the Hexagenia Hatch
Smallmouth fly fishing in the later part of the summer can only mean one thing–the Hexagenia hatch. I usually start seeing this hatch
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Fly Fishing Montana
I’ve been fly fishing in Montana for 40 years and here is some information that will help you plan your trip. The main
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