bass nymph fly fishing

Fly Fishing with Bass Nymphs Part 3: Fishing the Olive Dragonfly Nymph for Smallmouth Bass

(Updated: )Harry
Continuing our series on fly fishing with bass nymphs, this post is focusing on the Dragonfly Nymph. Olive Dragonfly Nymph Virginia’s smallmouth rivers [...]
Nymph Fishing for Smallmouth Bass Part 2

Fly Fishing with Bass Nymphs Part 2: Fishing the Damsel Olive Nymph for Smallmouth Bass

(Updated: )Harry
Continuing our Fly Fishing with Bass Nymphs series, this installment focuses on one of the most overlooked yet productive flies for smallmouth bass fly fishing—the Damsel Olive [...]
Virginia fly fishing report for August 2026 showing a nice bass caught at night.

August 2026 Virginia Fly Fishing Report Podcast: Smallmouth Bass & Native Brook Trout Update

(Updated: )Jeff
Summer fishing is far from over, and our August 2026 Fly Fishing Report Podcast is packed with timely information to help you make the most [...]
Bass Nymph Fly Fishing

Fly Fishing with Bass Nymphs for Shenandoah River Smallmouth Bass (Part 1)

(Updated: )Harry
Fly fishing with bass nymphs is one of the most effective ways to catch smallmouth bass on the Shenandoah River, especially during the heat of summer [...]
Shown are three hooks two are labeled as size 16 nymphs and one a size 14. This photo shows the fallacy of the hook size nomenclature today.

The Hook Size Lie: Why Your Size 14 Doesn’t Match Mine

(Updated: )Jeff
This is one of the most frustrating ‘welcome to fly fishing‘ realities that every angler and tier eventually faces. The theory versus reality: [...]
A happy angler with a July Smallmouth Bass Fly Fishing on the Shenandoah River

The July Gameplan: Low-Water Bass Tactics and Beat-the-Heat Trout Logic

(Updated: )Jeff
Welcome back. In our July Fly Fishing Podcast for the Shenandoah Vally of Virginia, we’re diving headfirst into the mid-summer grind. July water [...]
An assortment of Trout Fishing Nymphs are shown on a digital scale

Fly Fishing Nymphs: A Weight Comparison of Several Popular Nymphs

(Updated: )Jeff
Nymph Weight Comparison Chart – Sink Rate & Pattern Performance and Why That Matters This comparison chart highlights the relative weights of popular [...]
Two anglers on a guided fly fishing trip with Murray's Fly Shop on the Shenandoah River of Virginia

June in the Shenandoah Valley means choices: crisp mountain water or valley bass rivers.

(Updated: )Jeff
In this episode of the Murray’s Fly Shop Podcast, we dive into the premier fly fishing opportunities surrounding Edinburg and the broader valley [...]
Fly fishing riffles and runs for brook trout in the Blue Ridge Mountains and Allegheny Mountains of Virginia

How to Fish Riffles and Runs for Brook Trout

(Updated: )Jeff
Mountain trout streams provide some of the best fly fishing opportunities for native brook trout in the Appalachian Mountains. Mountain trout streams are [...]
Angler holding a nice smallmouth bass taken on the Shenandoah River of Virginia

Smallmouth Bass Fly Fishing in May: Virginia & Mid-Atlantic Rivers

(Updated: )Jeff
May to early June is one of the most productive months for smallmouth bass fly fishing across the Mid-Atlantic. As water temperatures rise [...]
Two anglers stand in a Shenandoah national park brook trout stream in our On the Stream School

The Sulphur Mayfly Hatch in Virginia’s Mountain Streams

(Updated: )Jeff
Each spring, fly anglers across Virginia’s Allegheny and Appalachian Mountains eagerly anticipate one of the most consistent and rewarding dry fly events of [...]
Light Cahill Dun May Fly on a Limb upside down

The Light Cahill: A Classic Mayfly for Appalachian Brook Trout

(Updated: )Jeff
Few hatches signal the transition into prime spring fly fishing in the Mid-Atlantic quite like the Light Cahill. Across the Allegheny and Appalachian [...]
Fly Fishing Podcast

May Fly Fishing Podcast -2026

(Updated: )Harry
May provides us with some excellent fly fishing on the native brook trout streams and smallmouth bass rivers. In this podcast we cover [...]
The Best Time for Smallmouth Bass Fly Fishing on the North or South Fork

Fly Fishing Tip: Are you casting too much?

(Updated: )Jeff
Line Flash in Fly Fishing: How Overcasting Spooks Trout (and How to Stop It) Line Flash in Fly Fishing: How Overcasting Spooks Trout [...]
Little Yellow Stonefly on an Appalachian Mountain Native Brook Trout Stream in Virginia

Little Yellow Stoneflies on Appalachian & Allegheny Brook Trout Streams

(Updated: )Jeff
A practical guide to timing, tactics, and flies that consistently produce–more about Little Yellow Stoneflies. Why the “Yellow Sally” Matters Across the cool, [...]
March Brown Mayfly Dun shown sitting on a rock in the Allegheny Mountains of Virginia

March Brown Mayfly Hatch: Brook Trout Fishing in the Appalachian & Allegheny Mountains

(Updated: )Jeff
The March Brown mayfly hatch is one of the most anticipated events of early spring fly fishing in the Appalachian Mountains and Allegheny Mountains. For anglers targeting native [...]
Harry Murray casting a popping bug fly fishing for smallmouth bass near Murray's Fly Shop in Edinburg, VA

What Is the Purpose of Fly Fishing Leaders? (Complete Beginner’s Guide)

(Updated: )Jeff
Fly Fishing Leaders for Beginners: What They Do, Why They Matter, and How to Choose the Right One If you’re new to fly [...]
Murray's Fly Shop Fluorocarbon Leader Building Kit

Murray’s Fly Shop Leader Building Kits – Knotted Compound Tapered Leaders

(Updated: )Jeff
We’ve expanded our Murray’s Fly Shop Leader Building Kits to give anglers more control over their fly fishing leader setup. Our lineup now includes Fluorocarbon Leader Kits, [...]
Close-up of a wild native Brook Trout being released with a soft hackle caddis emerger hooked in the jaw.

Best Caddis Patterns for Trout

(Updated: )Jeff
When trout key in on an emerging hatch, fishing the right caddis emerger pattern can dramatically increase your catch rate. During a caddisfly hatch, trout [...]
Trillium Flowers along a brook trout streams in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia

The “Up and Down” Rollercoaster of Spring Temperatures: Trout & Smallmouth Bass Fishing Tips

(Updated: )Jeff
How Spring Temperature Changes Affect Trout and Smallmouth Bass Fishing Spring is one of the most exciting—and unpredictable—seasons for anglers. The “up and down” [...]
Blue Quill Spinner Mayfly on an Appalachian Mountain brook trout stream

Blue Quill Mayfly Hatch Fly Fishing | Native Brook Trout in Appalachian Streams

(Updated: )Jeff
Chasing Native Brook Trout During the Blue Quill Hatch in the Mid-Atlantic Few moments in fly fishing compare to chasing native brook trout [...]
Fly Fishing Podcast for April

April 2026 Fly Fishing Podcast

(Updated: )Jeff
April Fly Fishing: Smallmouth Bass and Trout Come Alive April is when fly fishing truly comes alive across the Mid-Atlantic. As water temperatures [...]
Quill Gordon Mayfly Dun is shown which is prime brook trout food in the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains of Virginia

Fly Fishing the Quill Gordon Hatch for Native Brook Trout in the Mid-Atlantic

(Updated: )Jeff
Each spring in the Appalachian Mountains, we eagerly anticipate the arrival of the Quill Gordon (Epeorus pleuralis hatch. This major hatch signals the [...]
Caddis larva shown crawling on a rock with the words How to fish Caddis Emerger Patterns

How to Fish Caddis Emerger Patterns

(Updated: )Jeff
Stop missing trout that “refuse” your dry flies. During a caddis emergence, trout often ignore surface adults to hunt vulnerable pupa rising through the water column. [...]
Fishing the Spring Shad Run

Fishing the Spring Shad Run: Best Tactics, Flies, and Timing for American & Hickory Shad Success

(Updated: )Harry
When the weather starts to warm and winter feels like it is the rear view mirror, our fishing thoughts should shift to the [...]
Shown is a yellow/ tan and blue fly line on a black reel. The fly line has visible cracks in the coating and needs to be replaced

Is Your Gear Ready for warm weather? A Spring Prep Checklist

(Updated: )Jeff
Look closely at the dark lines on the fly line. These are cracks filled with dirt. After roughly 150 days of use, this fly line does not float anymore. [...]
Scott F2 fly rod was used to catch this native brook trout on a blue ridge mountain stream near Washington, DC

March Fly Fishing: Appalachian Brook Trout, Smallmouth & Spring Hatches

(Updated: )Harry
Spring is here, creating great fly fishing opportunities! Well, almost. The forecast calls for a warm up over the next 10 days. Discover [...]
Dale, a Murray's Fly Shop Instructor is seen showing an angler how to Swing Nymph with a High Rod tip on a beautiful rock strewn mountain trout stream surrounded by oak trees.

Euro, Czech and High-Stick Nymphing? Nymph Fishing Without a Floating Indicator

(Updated: )Jeff
Modern trout fishing has evolved into a multitude of specialized techniques, and nowhere is that more evident than in nymph fishing. While many [...]
The original Murray’s Hellgrammite fly pattern for smallmouth bass and trout, featuring ostrich herl for lifelike undulating underwater movement.

Murray’s Hellgrammite Fly Pattern: How to Fish This Deadly Smallmouth Bass Fly

(Updated: )Harry
By Harry Murray | Murray’s Fly Shop in Edinburg, Virginia Many anglers know the Murray’s Hellgrammite and the Heavy Eyed Murray’s Hellgrammite as a staple [...]
Dry flies in water during a fly floatant test at Murray's Fly Shop Edinburg, Virginia

Best Fly Fishing Floatants Compared: Gink, Loon, High N Dry, SA & More

(Updated: )Jeff
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 [...]
A rainbow trout is being held by an angler in the water with a nymph in it's mouth.

Winter Nymph Fishing Strategies – Part Two: Direct Contact Nymphing

(Updated: )Jeff
Fine-Tuned Depth Control with High Sticking and Euro Nymphing In Part One of our Winter Nymph Fishing Strategies, I focused on indicator rigs, weight [...]
High Stick Nymphing dead drift fishing on a small mountain trout stream on the George Washington National Forest

Winter Trout Feeding Behavior: Biology, Metabolism, and Angling Strategy

(Updated: )Jeff
How Trout Feed in Winter: Understanding Cold Water Metabolism and Behavior Winter fly fishing can be some of the most rewarding—and challenging—trout fishing [...]
Shown in the picture are several fly fishing reels with various sinking lines on the all sitting in a fly fishing pack

Understanding Sinking Fly Fishing Lines: Sink Rates, Styles, and When to Use Them – Part Two of Two

(Updated: )Jeff
Fly Lines–Intermediate vs Sink III vs Sink VI Fly Fishing Lines Intermediate Fly Lines (Sink ~1.25–1.5 IPS) Intermediate Sink Tip fly lines sink slowly [...]
Shown is a fly hook in a vise that we palmered rooster dry fly saddle hackle, Indian rooster cape hackle and hen cape hackle

Hen Hackle vs. Rooster Hackle: What’s the Difference?

(Updated: )Jeff
While both hen and rooster hackle come from chickens, they behave very differently in the water. Understanding those differences helps you choose the [...]
Sinking Line Selection shown on a cedar fly bin and with fly fishing leaders on the wall display inside Murray's Fly Shop in Edinburg, VA

Understanding Sinking Fly Fishing Lines: Sink Rates, Styles, and When to Use Them – Part One of Two

(Updated: )Jeff
The fly fishing world is full of nuances, and nowhere is this more evident than in fly fishing lines. Today’s fly line technology gives manufacturers [...]
Hackle Image with the words Cape vs. Saddle and a saddle hackle and cape in the background in multi colors

Saddle Hackle vs. Capes: What the difference in Fly Tying?

(Updated: )Jeff
Understanding Saddle Hackle and Capes: A Fly Tyer’s Guide If you’re new to fly tying—or even if you’ve been at the vise for [...]
Tying an Epeorus pleuralis

The Aquatic Insects: How many calories are they worth?

(Updated: )Jeff
Calories in Common Aquatic Insects (Trout Food Sources) Midge Larva / Pupa (Chironomidae) Mayfly Nymph Caddisfly Larva Stonefly Nymph Scuds / Sowbugs Why [...]
Shown are bead head flies including perdigons, jigged head hares ear, purple bombs, blowtorch's and mr Rapidan bead head nymphs on a white oak background

General Bead Size for Hooks – Size Chart

(Updated: )Jeff
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 [...]
Fly Fishing Podcast

Fly Fishing Podcast–January 2026

(Updated: )Harry
This fly fishing podcast will cover the predictions for the stocked trout streams, native brook trout streams and smallmouth rivers this month. Back [...]
My Six Favorite Trout Nymphs

How Trout Feed During Winter: Biology, Metabolism, and What It Means for Anglers – Part Two of Two

(Updated: )Jeff
By understanding trout metabolism and feeding behavior in winter, anglers like you can adjust your tactics, choose the right gear, and enjoy productive [...]
Wader Care and Repair blog

How Trout Feed During Winter: Biology, Metabolism, and What It Means for Anglers – Part One of Two

(Updated: )Jeff
Winter dramatically changes how trout feed, where they hold, and how anglers should approach the river. Cold water, limited insect activity, and shorter [...]
Shown is a cream Premium Hackle Rooster Cape

The Complete Guide to Premium Indian Hackle Capes: A Classic, Affordable Hackle for Every Fly Tyer

(Updated: )Jeff
When it comes to fly tying, selecting the right hackle is one of the most important decisions an angler makes. Hackle determines not [...]
Fly Fishing in December Podcast at Murray's Fly Shop

Fly Fishing in December Podcast

(Updated: )Harry
Fly fishing in December in the cold might deter you but the stocked trout are feeding. The DWR continues to stock streams throughout [...]
Nymphs for Trout Streams

Nymphs for Stocked Trout Streams

(Updated: )Harry
There are several nymphs that are very effective in the winter on the stocked trout streams. So let’s discuss those. If the streams [...]
Fly fishing in November

Fly Fishing in November Report

(Updated: )Harry
Fly fishing in November for smallmouth bass can be tricky but not impossible. As the water temperatures are cooling the bass are moving [...]
Trophy smallmouth fly fishing in the Fall.

Trophy Smallmouth

(Updated: )Harry
One of my favorite times of the year is upon us. There’s no doubt that if you want to target trophy smallmouth on [...]
Trout Fishing in the Shenandoah National Park Workshop at Murray's

Trout Fishing in the Shenandoah National Park 101 Class at Murray’s

(Updated: )Harry
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 [...]
Fly Tying Class at Murray's Fly Shop

Basic Fly Tying 101 Class at Murray’s Fly Shop

(Updated: )Harry
Learn the Art of Fly Tying. If you’ve ever looked at a fly and wondered “Could I make that?”, the answer is a [...]
Autumn Fly Fishing for Stocked Trout

Autumn Fly Fishing for Stocked Trout

(Updated: )Harry
Many anglers enjoy fly fishing on the stocked trout streams in Autumn not only for the fishing but also for the views. The [...]
Fly Fishing in August for smallmouth bass

Fly Fishing in August

(Updated: )Harry
Fly fishing around the aquatic grassbeds in August is one of my favorite things. They hold great numbers of shiner minnows which the [...]