The fly fishing waters of Virginia are beckoning. Do you hear them? Are you ready to catch wild trout on an unspoiled Appalachian Mountain stream? Or perhaps float the big and beautiful New River or the regal James River for a lunker smallmouth bass? Or do you want to go salty in the Tidewater, Chesapeake Bay, or Atlantic Ocean and toss your fly for a cobia, a red, or a striper?
With so much water to fly fish, including 2,900 miles of freshwater trout streams, hundreds of miles of freshwater rivers, and saltwater stretching from the Chesapeake Bay to the Atlantic Ocean, you may want to consider using a guide. That way, you make the most of your precious time, reeling in the fish of your dreams and leaving the hard parts for the experts.
Guided fly-fishing trips come in many varieties, and can include fly fishing lessons, fishing, and camping, as well as durations of full-day or half-day adventures. The choices are as varied as the waters Virginia offers. Read on and discover your next guided fly-fishing Virginia adventure.
South Fork Holston River
Waters: South Fork Holson River
Nearest Towns: Adwolfe, Abingdon, Glade Spring
Guides: New River Fly Fishing, Virginia Creeper Fly Shop
The South Fork Holston River, born in the mountains of Mount Rogers Recreation Area, Virginia’s highest lands, flows clear through fields and woods of laid back, rural southwest Virginia, and is supplemented by Buller Hatchery, an on-river fish hatchery. Catch colorful rainbow and fighting brown trout in regulated waters designed to keep the fish big. The South Fork gives you a chance to enjoy a small-to-medium waterway with quality fishing in a more rustic part of the state.
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New River
Waters: New River
Nearest Towns: Austinville, Radford, Pembroke, Pearisburg
Guides: Walker Creek Retreat, New River Charter, Roanoke Angler, New River Outdoor Company, New River Fly Fishing, Pro Fishing Expeditions
Photo Credit: Jeff Greenough
The New River is a great American mountain waterway, and despite being dammed twice in Virginia, still brawls its way northwest through the Appalachians, leaving a super scenic valley in its wake. And its reputation for big smallmouth bass exceeds only the splendor of the river. I know this firsthand, as the largest smallmouth I ever caught was on the New. A popular recreational waterway, the New River offers a host of fishing guides, floating outfitters, and traveler’s accommodations for those who want to tackle the big fish and big rapids of the rushing and beautiful New River.
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Cowpasture River/Jackson River/Maury River
Waters: Cowpasture River/Jackson River/Maury River
Nearest Towns: Warm Springs, Lexington, Goshen
Guides: CVA Fly Fishing, Wesley Hodges Fly Fishing
Flowing east out of the mountains along the Virginia-West Virginia border, the Cowpasture, Jackson, and Maury Rivers all flow clear and cool to feed the James River. Offering both walkable fishing and stream floating opportunities, these highland waterways deliver great fishing and eye-pleasing scenery. Angle for brook trout in their tributaries as well as rainbow and smallmouth bass in the main rivers. Head to the Jackson River for the big one. The Cowpasture River originates in Highland County and picks up tributaries, flowing for 80 miles, with its lower half with enough current for boating. Parts of the waterway flow through the Washington-Jefferson National Forest, enhancing an already fine backdrop.
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Upper & Middle James River
Waters: Upper & Middle James River
Nearest Town: Buchanan, Lynchburg, Scottsville
Photo Credit: Sam Dean, @sdeanphotos
The James River is Virginia’s contribution to great rivers of the world, flowing across the entire state from the mountains in the west to the Atlantic Ocean in the east. The Middle James River is renowned for smallmouth bass and muskie fishing. This stretch of the river lends itself to scenic float fishing, working its way west out of the Blue Ridge then winding its way through the Piedmont. Long clear pools and wide but manageable rapids flow past occasional islands, mostly wooded banks, and bucolic farms. Lynchburg is the one big town through which the upper and middle James flows.
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Smith River
Waters: Smith River
Nearest Towns: Bassett
Guides: Lucky Strips Fly Company, Wesley Hodges Fly Fishing
You will want to fly fish the tailwater section of the Smith River as it flows out of Philpott Lake and through the foothills of the Appalachians. Here, fly anglers view for big and bold brown trout, who will give your tackle a run for its money. The main section of cold water trout water extends from Philpott Dam down to the town of Bassett. Since this is a tailwater fishery, feisty trout are caught year-round.
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South River/Shenandoah National Park Streams
Waters: South River/Shenandoah National Park Streams
Nearest Towns: Waynesboro, Charlottesville, Sperryville, Ruckersville
Guides: South River Fly Shop, Cool Water Outfitters, Middle River Outfitters, Albemarle Angler
The spring-fed South River flows 50 miles to meet the North River and form the South Fork Shenandoah River. The fishing really gets good in and below Waynesboro. Primarily known as a smallmouth bass fishery, trout are also sought here, especially through the town of Waynesboro, and the state heavily stocks the waterway with the cold water fish. Anglers often float fish the South River, and numerous accesses have been developed. The streams of Shenandoah National Park are filled exclusively with native brook trout and are a Virginia brook trout stronghold. Not only can you vie for this native fish, but you can also do it among national park-level splendor.
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South Fork Shenandoah River
Waters: South Fork Shenandoah River
Nearest Towns: Elkton, Luray, Front Royal
Guides: Old Dominion Outfitter and Guide Service, Rivergoat Outfitters, Murray’s Fly Shop
The South Fork Shenandoah River flows for 97 beautiful miles in a valley bordered by Shenandoah National Park to the east and the mountains of the George Washington National Forest to the west. The South Fork Shenandoah continues gaining tributaries from the Blue Ridge while demonstrating its propensity for repeatedly bending. It is these clear cool gathering waters that make this waterway such a fine smallmouth bass waterway, where you can fly fish surrounded by the picture-perfect Shenandoah Valley.
Nearby Attractions:
- Skyland Lodge-Shenandoah National Park
- Massanutten Indoor/Outdoor Water Park
- Elizabeth Furnace Recreation Area
Potomac River
Waters: Potomac River
Nearest Towns: Lovettsville, Leesburg, Great Falls
Guides: Eastern Trophies, Potomac River Trophies
Photo Credit: Jeff Mauritzen, @jeffmauritzen
The Potomac River is an integral aquatic element in the history of our country, in addition to being a fine smallmouth bass, muskie, and walleye fishery. Its headwaters are found in Virginia and West Virginia as well as Maryland and Pennsylvania. The river forms state boundaries for much of its 405-mile length. Heading toward Chesapeake Bay, the Potomac enters its famed gorge at Great Falls, a site of incredible whitewater before settling down and becoming a wide, tidal waterway flowing by Washington D.C. Most guided trips center around smallmouth fishing while floating a dory or raft, though guides will steer you toward muskie and walleye if that is your thing.
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Tidewater/Virginia Beach
Waters: Tidal James River, Chesapeake Bay, Atlantic Ocean
Nearest Towns: Virginia Beach, Newport News
Guides: Tidewater On the Fly, Bay Fly Fishing, VB Backwater
You are always close to oceanic waters when in the Tidewater and Virginia Beach areas. Being at the confluence of the tidal James River, lower Chesapeake Bay, and the mighty Atlantic Ocean make this part of Virginia a saltwater angling hotspot. Here, you can seasonally seek varied fishing with your flyrod. Try some exciting sight fishing for cobia, reds, and stripers. And with so much potential water to fish, a guide really makes sense, who can zero in on the right species at the right time in the right water.
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The Eastern Shore
Waters: Chesapeake Bay, Atlantic Ocean
Nearest Towns: Cape Charles
Guides: Cape Charles Fishing Adventure, Chesapeake Bay Fishing Charters
Photo Credit: Adam Lewis, @adamtlewis
Combine the relaxed vibe of Virginia’s Eastern Shore with some seriously good fishing. Saltwater species vary with the season. Most Eastern Shore angling occurs on the lesser fished eastern side of Chesapeake Bay, but also barrier islands of the Atlantic Ocean, as well as tidal creeks on both sides of the Eastern Shore. The waters of the shore provide a good opportunity to fly fish for tarpon. Fly fishing from the Eastern Shore is its own unique experience, especially considering your time on the water and on the land.
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