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 [...]
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. [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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, [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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. [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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. [...]
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 [...]
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?” [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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. [...]
Hellgrammites
As a kid I seined hellgrammites in the riffles of the river to use for bait for smallmouth. After college I tried many [...]
Bass Fly Rod
I consider the smallmouth bass to be the gentleman of the warmwater species. As such fly fishing for them has picked up many [...]
Tippet Size
I am often asked, “What size tippet should I be using?” In our on the stream fly fishing schools this topic is discussed [...]
Hard Head Bugs
The action imparted to hard head bugs is governed by the shape of the bug and the cut of its face. I assign [...]
Fly Fishing in August
A good approach to fly fishing in August is to use a popper with a dropper. A good friend of mine caught a [...]
Terrestrials For Trout
Many trout couldn’t live without terrestrials! When the aquatic insect hatches are over for the season the trout live on the great profusion [...]
Bass Skaters
Ever used bass skaters while smallmouth fishing? One hot July afternoon on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River I decided to experiment. [...]
Deer Hair Bugs for Bass
I just enjoy fishing deer hair bugs for smallmouth bass. I feel I’m following the standards which Ray Bergman and H.G. Tapply developed [...]
Fly Fishing in Ponds
Recently I have had more customers asking about fly fishing in ponds and what flies to use. I lived on a farm west [...]
Crickets & Hoppers
Let’s talk about using crickets and hoppers for smallmouth bass fishing. Several years ago my son and I floated the James River. We [...]
Fishing With Dragonflies
There are great numbers of adult dragonflies flying above the surface of the river. These insects are powerful flyers. The bass catch very [...]
Bass Nymphs
For many years bass fishermen have relied on streamers, poppers, and deer hair surface bugs. However in the last several years I have [...]
Fly Fishing in July
Fly fishing on the smallmouth bass rivers can be excellent in July. This years young hog suckers are large enough to provide an [...]
Crayfish
In our fly fishing schools and guide trips a crayfish pattern is always recommended. My guides are seeing more crayfish scooting along the [...]
Bass Flies for Low Water
Every year I have customers asking, “What bass flies should I be using in the low water conditions?” In early summer when the [...]
Three Fly Rig
My son and I have been playing around with a three fly rig for smallmouth bass. Some anglers are reluctant to fish a [...]
Trico
Many years ago I fished the trico hatch on Falling Springs often. There were about a dozen of us who fished it regularly [...]
Fly Fishing in June
The month of June can provide some excellent fly fishing on both the smallmouth and native brook trout streams. Let’s discuss the smallmouth [...]