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