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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.

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       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

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       Adams Parachute

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       Blue Winged Olive

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       Black Fur Ant

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       Braided Butt Damsel

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       Dave’s Cricket

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       Elk Hair Caddis

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       Black Foam Flying Ant

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       Light Hendrickson

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       Whitlock’s Hopper

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       Humpy

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       Light Cahill

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       Yellow Sally

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       Madam X

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       March Brown

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       Pale Morning Dun

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       Quill Gordon

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       Royal Wulff

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       Stimulator (Yellow)

       Standard Trout Flies— Nymphs and Streamers

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