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 [...]
fly fishing in Virginia
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. [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Bass Fly
Last summer a good friend caught the largest smallmouth on a bass fly that he had created. This was the largest bass that [...]
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 [...]
Damselflies for Smallmouth Bass
The delicate damselflies seen flying over the rivers from late May until October have appeal to the bass. They are 1-2 inches long [...]
Dry Flies for Bass
Many of my customers have asked for information on fishing dry flies for smallmouth bass. I could tell they were serious because they [...]
Fly Fishing in May
Fly fishing in May is wonderful because of all the different hatches occurring on the brookie streams. We just received some much needed [...]
Fly Fishing in April
The hatches of three important mayflies and one caddisfly make fly fishing in April a favorite for many anglers. The Mr. Rapidan Dry [...]
Casting On Small Mountain Streams
Let’s discuss some different casting techniques that I use on the small mountain trout streams. Slack Line Casting Expect to catch the largest [...]
Fly Fishing Podcast – Winter Fishing
If you don’t mind the icy edges and cold temperatures then fly fishing in the winter can be productive. The VA DWR continues [...]
Fly Fishing in the Fall for Stocked Trout
In Virginia, fly fishing in the fall is always a favorite among the stocked trout fisherman. The Virginia DWR will start stocking rainbows [...]
Murray’s Sculpin Marauder
I designed the Sculpin Marauder as a big fly to catch the large smallmouth bass that feed heavily on the sculpin minnows. Sculpin [...]
Murray’s Stonecat Streamer
This stonecat streamer not only looks like the real minnow but when we swim it along the stream bottom it “acts” like the [...]
Deer Hair Bugs
The late H.G. Tapply, one of my angling heroes, got me into fishing deer hair bass bugs. When the rivers get low and [...]
Mr. Rapidan Skater
The Mr. Rapidan Skater is very effective in two entirely different situations. First it is a great match for the Hexagenia mayflies. When [...]
Fishing to Rising Bass
Standing in the middle of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River, I heard a commotion downstream. Looking downstream, I discovered that there [...]
Fly Fishing with a Crayfish
While fishing in the Shenandoah River for smallmouth bass, I am amazed at how many crayfish there are. Fly fishing with a crayfish [...]
Fly Fishing in August
I try to do as much fly fishing on the native brook trout streams throughout the summer as I can. By this time [...]
Fly Fishing in July
Many people like to hike, camp, and do a little fly fishing in the Shenandoah National Park during the summer. The little yellow [...]
Fly Fishing for Trout and Bass in June
June is a wonderful month for fly fishing in the native brook trout streams and the smallmouth bass rivers. The Sulphur mayfly hatch [...]
Murray’s Fly Shop 60th Anniversary
In 1962 I opened my pharmacy right out of college and in the back corner of the building started Murray’s Fly Shop. I [...]
Fly Fishing in Virginia in November
Let’s discuss the fly fishing in Virginia on the stocked trout streams and smallmouth bass rivers. The Virginia DWR has been stocking streams [...]
Fly Fishing in September
Fly fishing in September can be excellent on the smallmouth bass streams. This is the time of year the Hexagenia hatch occurs. As [...]
Fly Fishing in August
Trout Fly Fishing in the Mountain Trout Streams The fly fishing on the mountain trout streams can be tough but not impossible in [...]
Fly Fishing in July Podcast
Let’s discuss the different fly fishing options you can expect for the month of July. In the mountain trout streams, there are many [...]
June Fly Fishing Podcast
June fly fishing on the mountain trout streams and the smallmouth bass streams can be very exciting. The Little Yellow Stoneflies and Sulphur [...]
Fly Fishing in May
The water levels and hatches are ideal in May providing some excellent fly fishing on the native brook trout streams. There are good [...]
Fly Fishing in April
Fly fishing in April is great for anyone that enjoys dry fly fishing. During the early part of the month there are still [...]