the smaller the reel, the smaller the rod with which it will be compatible. Fresh water anglers—who use reels primarily to hold line and not to stop fish—can get by with a simple click and pawl reel. Saltwater reels are a horse of a different color. Some saltwater reels with serious stopping power are designed with disc drags that could stop the forward progress of your first car. Take your time when selecting your reel to ensure that it is the best fit for your rod.
Lines and Leaders
The three most common fly lines are weight-forward floating, intermediate-sinking, and fast-sinking. Most trout fishermen use a weight-forward floating line, preferred for casting surface flies. Anglers use intermediate lines for some fresh water applications and frequently for saltwater fishing. Sinking lines generally come in grain weights ranging from 150 to 700. Tungsten is the primary product used in sinking lines; the higher the grain weight, the heavier the line. Not all lines can be used on all rods, so check with your fly shop if you’re unsure.
Fly Patterns
This book highlights the works of some of Virginia’s best fly tyers, including Dusty Wissmath, Harrison Steeves, Tommy Mattioli, Brian Trow, Blane Chocklett, and Chuck Kraft. I am particularly proud to cast a spotlight on popper legend Walt Cary, who at the printing of this book will have been making popping bugs in the Old Dominion for 50 years!
I hope that readers are as thrilled with the color photos of recommended patterns as I am. Among the myriad Virginia patterns listed, you will also find Coburn’s Cress Bug, Jay’s Patuxent Special, and DuBiel’s Red-Ducer. True, these patterns originate from Maryland and North Carolina. Virginia fish, however, don’t seem to know that these flies weren’t created for them, and I’m not about to tell them.
Wading Gear
Wading is one of the great joys of angling. Even anglers who use kayaks and other personal floatation devices like pontoon boats often use them to get better wading access. The three most common forms of wading are wet wading, using hip boots, and using chest waders. Wet wading means getting in the water in your shorts or swimsuit, with wading boots, and it’s my favorite way to fish. Hip boots are about ¾ of the length of your legs and are perfect for small stream fishing in places like the Shenandoah National Park (and for brook trout fishing in particular). Finally, anglers may opt for waders that cover all the way to one’s chest. Whichever method you choose, make sure you use felt-soled boots. No other sole is as reliable when it comes to keeping your footing.
Remain alert and aware when you are wading. Each year anglers die wading because they are too complacent or overconfident in their ability. Rivers are beautiful—they can also be powerful and deadly. Remember that, and live to fish another day.
Guides
Are you hitting a particular water for the first time? Hiring a guide is almost always a wise investment. Guides are the resident experts of the water and may spend as many as 250 days a year fishing it. And please—if you choose to hire a guide, listen to what he or she tells you to do.
You will find a listing of guides for fresh and saltwater in the resource section of this book. I have tried to compile as complete a list as possible, but I undoubtedly missed some folks. If you know a guide who is not listed here, this is not necessarily a reflection on his or her skill or professionalism. More likely, it simply means that I don’t know him or her. Having said that, guides are like rivers: some are indeed better than others. You won’t go wrong calling around to fly shops and doing your homework before hiring a guide.
Keep a low profile while trout fishing.
Photo by Beau Beasley.
Fly Shops
The local fly shop is your best source for the skinny you need on the water you want to fish. In this Internet age, independent fly shops are having trouble making ends meet. If you want to keep that crucial wealth of information available to you and to the rest of us, please do your part: visit the local fly shop for tips and information, and then consider picking up local patterns and maybe even a complete outfit (when you’re again in the market for one) from the shop owners who do right by you.
Private Fishing Waters
Public streams can sometimes get crowded. To improve your odds on the water, you might consider a fee-for-fishing trip on a private stream that is managed by professionals. I have listed four fee-for-fishing waters in this book. I recommend them all without reservation.
Ratings
Each river in the book is rated on a 1 to 10 scale (poor to excellent) and as you might expect, these ratings are completely subjective. I have tried to consider the species available, access, scenery, and the length of the season on that water. Indeed, I might view a good or bad fishing experience very differently from many readers. I believe that I have covered most of the prime waters in the state (and made a few off-the-beaten-path recommendations), yet Virginia boasts numerous gems that I haven’t covered here.
Clubs and Organizations
Consider joining an organization that promotes fly angling and waterway conservation. I wholeheartedly endorse groups like Trout Unlimited, The Federation of Fly Fishers, and the Coastal Conservation Association. I am also a huge fan of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and would suggest that if you have a few extra bucks lying around, these folks will put your donation to good use.
Keep an open mind toward your fellow outdoor sportsmen. Though clubs such as the Potomac River Smallmouth Club may include spin fishermen, trust me: these guys know a thing or two about fishing and can save you a lot of time and effort by giving you some great tips. Fly anglers are not the only folks who know how to read the water and find fish. Remember that the only thing better than going fishing is going fishing with a friend.
Flies to Use in Virginia
Standard Trout Flies—Drys
Adams Parachute
Blue Winged Olive
Black Fur Ant
Braided Butt Damsel
