Virginia Fly Fishing

Staying in our Virginia mountain cabins you can really get acquainted with Mother Nature and the stunning sights and sounds that the Shenandoah Valley offers. Offering the very best in Virginia mountain lodging, our cabins are nearby to the George Washington National Forest, the Shenandoah National Park, Sherando Lake, Wintergreen Resort and the gorgeous Tye River. Here activities like hiking, swimming, horseback riding, skiing, golf, and fishing provide great opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. On this page we have provided our vacationers with some of the best kept secret Virginia fishing rivers, streams and holes. Our mountainous region of Virginia contains some of the very best trout fishing, and fly fishing that you’ll find in Virginia. Discover our mountain paradise and all that it offers.

James River Fishing in Nelson County, Virginia

The upper and middle portions of the James River flow through our region in Nelson County, VA and contain some of the best fishing in the Virginia area. Offering a wide range of angling opportunities in numerous different settings,  James River fishing in Virginia is some of the most unique and diverse. Smallmouth bass are the dominant fish in the river, however spotted largemouth bass have also been frequently caught. The James River is also home to a few other varieties of game fish like channel catfish, flathead catfish, and some varieties of sunfish like redbreast, bluegill and rock bass. The flathead catfish and gigantic muskellunge fish are more abundant in the upper portion. Canoe or raft the James River and you’ll find some excellent fishing in Virginia with several small pools and private holes.

Mossy Creek Virginia Fly Fishing

Mossy Creek is probably Virginia’s most renowned fly fishing area and one of the most popular places to fish for vacationers. This world class Virginia fly fishing creek was created by landowners and Trout Unlimited, a renowned trout company. Fishermen looking to fish Mossy Creek must have a signed permit card, as well as a valid Virginia fishing license. Beginning anglers sometimes have a hard time catching the brown trout that live in Mossy Creek as the creek has steep banks, large masses of vegetation, and fast running waters. If you can find enough patience however, you can catch large, 25 inch brown mountain trout that are in abundance in this stream.

Virginia Fly Fishing in St. Mary’s River

St. Mary’s River meanders through the scenic canyons of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley and is a great place to catch native brook trout. This area was once a large mine and railroad area, however in 1984 it became a protected wilderness region. With over 10,000 acres, St. Mary’s Wilderness Area offers some really great opportunities to enjoy fishing in Virginia. St. Mary’s River is regularly stocked with brook trout, as well as wild rainbow trout, and is truly a beautiful area.

Staunton Dam

Staunton Dam is a large 15 acre reservoir that supplies water to the city of Staunton. Located in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, Staunton Dam is a great place to fish from the banks. Small game fish such as smallmouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, redbreast and green sunfish, rock bass and channel catfish flourish in the waters around Staunton Dam; larger, slower growing game fish numbers are low, making the smaller fish populate quite rapidly. Two trout areas are located upstream from Staunton Dam for excellent Virginia trout fishing.

Elkhorn Lake, Staunton Virginia Fishing

Elkhorn Lake is a 54 acre reservoir located in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. Managed and owned by the city of Staunton, this lake provides a great recreation area to the city and is a nice place to enjoy the scenic beauty of the national forests.

Lake Nelson

Located in scenic Nelson County Virginia, Lake Nelson is a 40 acre impoundment owned and managed by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Stocked with game fish such as largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, red ear sunfish, varieties of catfish, and of course some gigantic largemouth bass.

South River

The South River flows through pasture land before entering the town of Waynesboro. The river flows through the center of town and is home to several varieties of game fish, including smallmouth bass and bluegill, not to mention rainbow and brown trout.

Back Creek

Back Creek, a tributary which feeds into South River, is a favorite of locals fishing for stocked trout. This mountain stream meanders down from close to the Blue Ridge Parkway, running alongside the road for much of the way. All of the stream is open for fishing, and there are many places to pull off and park. Virginia fishing regulations apply, including a required trout stamp from fall through spring.

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