| Given the beauty of Virginia, it is hardly | | | | were slower to break away from the English |
| surprising to find outdoor activities high on | | | | mentality than their brothers in New England. |
| the list of things to do. Fly fishing in | | | | It was not surprising then that the |
| Virginia is a particularly good time. | | | | popularity of fly fishing in England would |
| | | | carry over to Virginia. |
| Fly Fishing in the Commonwealth of Virginia | | | | |
| offers a good example of how the organization | | | | Today, fly fishing in Virginia is not |
| of local anglers combined with some excellent | | | | restricted to the "upper classes" any longer, |
| fish habitats can create an excellent fishing | | | | but it has still retained a slight touch of |
| experience. The Internet has actually become | | | | this early heritage. The fly fisherman often |
| a tool that has aided the increased | | | | feels just a tad bit superior to any other |
| popularity of fly fishing by providing | | | | type of angler. This has led to fly fishermen |
| detailed information on fishing sites, | | | | joining together in clubs and these clubs |
| fishing clubs, and fishing techniques. | | | | have used the technology of the World Wide |
| Virginia's fly fishing community seems to | | | | Web to spread the word. These sites range |
| have discovered this and is making the most | | | | from the advertisement of the many lodge |
| of it. | | | | vacations or guide and instruction services |
| | | | to a state wide site that offers a chance to |
| Fly fishing in Virginia has always been | | | | enter feedback on fishing conditions on over |
| popular because of the large number of rivers | | | | 75 different locations. |
| and streams that are ideal for the sport. The | | | | |
| Shenandoah Valley is one such area. The | | | | Fly fishing in Virginia is healthy and |
| Shenandoah River and the foothills of the | | | | growing. The Commonwealth has done a good job |
| Blue Ridge Mountains with its many shallow | | | | in managing the natural resources and |
| streams offer up trout and bass that rival | | | | stocking and catch and release programs have |
| those found anywhere in the country. You can | | | | countered the fishing pressure. Virginia is |
| find good fly fishing areas on the historic | | | | an area that depends much on the visitors and |
| Rappahannock River in the north or at the | | | | tourists that come to enjoy the recreational |
| edges of the swampy coastal regions of the | | | | and historical opportunities there. The local |
| south. | | | | anglers have always had to deal with this |
| | | | influx of visitors and have done so by making |
| Fly fishing was very much of a "gentleman's | | | | them welcome. Almost every shop that deals |
| sport" in its early days, and Virginia took | | | | with fly fishing equipment in Virginia also |
| to it very early in its history. Despite the | | | | offers instruction and guide service geared |
| Revolutionary War, upper class Virginians | | | | to guests and beginners. |