Flyfisher's Guide to Virginia: Including West Virginia's Best Fly Fishing Waters (Flyfishers Guide)

by David Hart

The Flyfisher's Guide to Virginia is the most comprehensive book ever written on flyfishing in Virginia and West Virginia. David Hart, a native of Virginia, covers both states, breaking them up into six regions. He covers rivers, streams, and lakes and the great fishing opportunities for rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, brook trout, brown trout, pickerel, muskie, and pan fish. The Shenandoah National Park streams are covered, including the Rapidan, Robinson, Cedar Run, White Oak Canyon Run, Rose, Hogback Branch, Staunton, Big Run and many others. All of the great rivers are covered including the James, Potomac, Rappahannock, Rapidan, South & North Fork of the Holston, North Anna, Chickahominy, Laurel Fork, Mossy, Beaver, Clinch, the New and other great smallmouth bass and trout waters. David describes in detail each water with tips on how to fish the waters, recommended flies, hatch charts, and stream facts. He also covers some of the little known but great flyfishing gems in each state. There are over 110 detailed fishing maps showing river miles, rapids, boat launches, access points, public lands, roads, and campgrounds. David also gives you all of the important travel information you need to plan a successful trip, including a listing of fly shops, sporting good stores, motels, guides, lodges, restaurants, car and boat rentals, and more.

529 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2006

Reviews

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a very impressive overview of fly fishing opportunities in Virginia. From 2006, it seems pretty up-to-date (at least well matching the areas I've fished and even providing accurate directions to the locations). The hatch guides are useful, and while the quick run-down on necessary equipment is a bit perfunctory, the guide to assembling a basic fly assortment makes a good, quick intro to the subject. The takes on each fish species are very brief, but somewhat idiosyncratic, adding a nice flavor. This book would be pretty indispensable in exploring VA's fishing options.