Fly Fishing in August
Fly fishing during the Hexagenia hatch has always been one of my favorite types of fishing. I can usually expect this hatch is
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Damselflies for Smallmouth Bass
A large number of adult damselflies are buzzing over the rivers. Smallmouth jump from the stream to actually catch them. The bass are
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Grasshoppers for Smallmouth Bass
Grasshoppers are often overlooked for smallmouth bass fly fishing. One hot July afternoon, I was walking down through a hay field beside the
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High Floating Attractors
I have great success with “high floating attractors” dry flies by drifting them along the banks on the big rivers. The corner of
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Fly Fishing in July
Fly fishing with deer hair bass bugs for smallmouth bass–let’s discuss when, where, and how. When our smallmouth rivers get low and the
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Damselflies and Dragonflies
Smallmouth bass often leap in an attempt to capture both damselflies and dragonflies in the air over the streams. When I see this,
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Crayfish
While the crayfish is not really a hatch, it is a major food source for trout and smallmouth bass all over the East
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Hoppers and Crickets
Hoppers and crickets are terrestrial insects that represent a very large part of the diet for the trout in the Shenandoah National Park.
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Fly Fishing in June
This June looks to be a great opportunity for fly fishing on the native brook trout streams and the smallmouth rivers. The steady
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Ants
I often catch large trout on ants when they refuse to take the fly which matches the aquatic insects, even when there is
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Stonefly Hatch
The little yellow stonefly is an important hatch in the Eastern mountain trout streams. Many years I’ll see the adults on the stream
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Fly Fishing in May
Fly fishing for the smallmouth has really picked up over the last two weeks. The shallow gravel bars along the river banks hold
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Sulphur Hatch
The sulphur hatch is heavy in the Blue Ridge Mountains from mid May to late June. In the Smokies it is 2 weeks
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Drake Hatch
I developed the Murray’s Drake Dry Fly in 3 colors so you can match the natural insects which are hatching on the day
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Early Season Smallmouth Bass Fly Fishing on Virginia’s River
Spring (Early Season April to mid-June) Let’s discuss the early season smallmouth bass fly fishing on Virginia’s rivers. The river is warm enough
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Light Cahill Hatch
The Light Cahill mayfly is heavy on the East coast from late April through May. We enjoy this hatch while fishing the native
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Fly Fishing in April
Fly fishing in April is wonderful on the mountain trout streams as the water levels and hatches are ideal. We have good hatches
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Caddis Hatch
I enjoy using caddis patterns not only for the trout but also for the smallmouth bass on the Shenandoah River. An excellent tactic
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March Brown Hatch
I have had some great fishing on the March Brown hatch in the Rockies and all over the East on drys and nymphs.
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Madtom Sculpin–How to fish & tie
The natural madtom were the choice live baits for the old-time fishermen on the North Fork of the Shenandoah River when I grew
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Blue Quill Hatch
The Blue Quill is a very heavy hatch in the Blue Ridge Mountains (mid March to late April) especially on streams with southern
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Fly Fishing in March
Fly fishing in March on the smallmouth streams can be productive in the bank bays. These are indentations which floods have carved back
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Quill Gordon Hatch
The Quill Gordon is one of heaviest mayfly hatches in the East. In the mountain streams close to my fly shop in Edinburg,
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Scud, Shrimp, and Cress Bugs
Scud, shrimp, and cress bugs are a major food source for trout on the local stocked trout streams. I have had great success
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Fly Fishing in February
Today let’s discuss the fly fishing on the large stocked trout streams. There are many streams that have an abundance of springs that
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Winterizing Tackle
While the snow is flying outside, it is a good time for winterizing tackle inside. To prolong the life of your tackle it
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Olive or Midge
In the winter you spot trout rising to feed on the surface–olive or midge?? The insects are very small but you finally catch
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Fly Fishing in January
While most anglers don’t like fly fishing for bass in the winter, I know a few anglers that don’t give up. Realizing the
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Ice on Rod Guides
Often in the winter I run into a problem of having ice on the rod guides. This happens often to us in late
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Mr. Rapidan Emerger
The Mr. Rapidan Emerger is one of my favorite flies for early trout fishing on the native brook trout streams. I developed this
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Dead Drift Trout Nymphing
Fishing upstream with nymphs as they dead drift naturally downstream to the trout is one of the most effective tactics on can learn.
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Fly Fishing in December
Fly fishing in the deep pools between limestone ledges on our smallmouth rivers can be beneficial. The ledges can run all the way
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Streamers for Stocked Trout
Streamers which match the minnows the stocked trout feed upon are very effective whether a beginner or an experienced angler. One of the
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Nymphs for Stocked Trout
When fishing for stocked trout, it is a good idea to carry an assortment of nymphs from size 8-20. After being in the
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St. Croix Connect Fly Rod
The new St. Croix Connect Fly Rods are in stock. These are made to cover any anglers need. The tapers are well designed
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Wader Care and Repair
The proper wader care at home will increase the life of your waders. When I return from the stream I hang my waders
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Fly Fishing in November
Let’s discuss the different fly fishing options for November. Many of the large bass move into the back eddies to take advantage of
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Fishing Delayed Harvest Streams
Frequently the largest trout choose feeding stations in the deep water right below the riffles during the winter on the delayed harvest streams.
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Lasting Memories
Many of my memories are linked to by fishing partner of 40 years. William Downey was the ideal fishing partner because we liked
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Think Like A Trout
Seeing the stringer of large trout the young boy was carrying, the elderly angler inquired, “Son, how did you catch all of those?”
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Fly Fishing in October
Many anglers save their vacation for fly fishing in October because they believe this is “big fish” time. Many of the bass leave
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Streamers for Bass in the Fall
Streamers are effective throughout the fall. How late into the season this action will last depends upon how quickly cold weather approaches. Normally
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Smallmouth Shade
One day my son, some friends and I were all fishing for smallmouth on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. Toward the
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Hexagenia Mayfly
September is known for the Hexagenia. One evening a couple of years ago I was fishing with a Chugger on the Shenandoah River
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Popper Fishing in the Fall
Take advantage of the popper fishing before the streams get to cold. More large smallmouth bass are taken on Virginia’s Shenandoah River during
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Fly Fishing in September
Fly fishing in September can be excellent with chub and dace minnows. As the rivers get lower it opens the doors for smallmouth
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Hog Sucker
The Murray’s Hog Sucker is one of our very best flies when we are seeking large bass. It is very effective in the
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Goggle Eye Are Back
Whether you call him a goggle eye, red eye, or rock bass, most fly fishermen are glad this fish is increasing in numbers.
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Hellgrammites
As a kid I seined hellgrammites in the riffles of the river to use for bait for smallmouth. After college I tried many
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