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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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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