The 5 Best Fly Fishing Spots in Virginia!
Fly fishing is one of the fastest growing sports in the country. With nearly endless tributaries, lakes, streams, rivers, and the Atlantic Ocean, it’s no surprise that the sport has gained in popularity in Virginia. Below you’ll find five excellent spots for fly fishing. Let us know which ones we missed!
1.Cascade Stream, Hot Springs, VA
The Omni Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia, is a luxury resort that also offers guided fly-fishing tours and clinics along the Cascade Stream. Guides teach casting techniques, stream entomology, choosing the right gear, and fly selection. Packages include the fishing license and much of the equipment you’ll need.
2.James River, Appomattox, VA
The James River is actually almost 350 miles-long, with excellent fly fishing all along it. But for this entry, we’re going to focus on the fly fishing offered at the Rockcliffe Farm Retreat and Lodge. Stay at the lodge and gain access to their section of the river, along with small and largemouth bass, catfish, shad, carp, gar, pickerel, and perch.
3.Shenandoah River, Harrisonburg, VA
Mossy Creek Fly Fishing offers fly fishing trips up and down the Shenandoah River, near Harrisonburg, Virginia. They’ll help you find mountain brook trout, spring creek rainbows and browns, and smallmouth and carp, among others. Sign up for a trip on their website.
4.Chesapeake Bay, Gloucester, VA
Sign up for a Bay Fly Fishing class to explore the section of the Chesapeake Bay just outside of Gloucester, Virginia. According to the Bay Fly Fishing website, the guide is “Virginia’s only full-time saltwater fly and light tackle guide.” He’ll help you catch striped bass, speckled trout, redfish, flounder, bluefish, and more.
5.Smith Creek
Situated in the Shenandoah Valley, Smith Creek is one of the best locations for fly fishing in Virginia. Smith Creek is part of a restoration project to help trout thrive in this creek again. Efforts include restricting livestock access to the steam, which prevents bacteria from contaminating the area. Today, the benefits of the restoration are showing as you’ll find healthy sized brown trout and rainbow trout in Smith Creek. Truly a fly fisherman’s paradise.
