blue ridge journal

Welcome to Albemarle Angler

The Albemarle Angler is Central Virginia’s full service fly fishing guide and outdoor lifestyle outfitter. We carry the best fly fishing and outdoor brands in the world including Orvis, Simms, Barbour, Filson, Hardy, Fishpond, Sage, Scott, TFO, Abel, and Rio. We offer guided fly fishing trips in Virginia to many of the great trout and smallmouth bass streams including the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Jackson River, the James River, and the Shenandoah River. Stop by anytime to chat about fishing or outfit yourself and your family for life in the great outdoors of Virginia. We are located a block from the University of Virgina in Charlottesville in the Barrack’s Road Shopping Center beside the CVS pharmacy. Click here for directions.

434.977-6882  or contact us

Dry Fly Fishing at Big Bend Farm

FREE Fly Tying Saturday the 28th with John Schmidt

FREE Fly Tying Saturday the 28th with John Schmidt
Many of you have met John Schmidt at our free fly tying clinics. He is a very creative guy with a passion for new materials and patterns. He ties all kinds of stuff but this saturday he will be be showing us variations on the Clouser Darter Minnow (see pic). This is a fairly easy to tie fly but very effective for multiple species from Stripers to trout. I love them for smallmouth bass in virginia. Make sure to join us for coffee and clousers this saturday, Jan 28th from 9:30 to 11:30 at the shop. Also you’ll find some pics from this last weeks session.

FREE Fly Tying Tomorrow

FREE Fly Tying TomorrowWe’re back at it this weekend, Saturday, 9:30am to 11:30am with FREE Fly Tying Classes. This week I’ll be tying up the Pheasant Tail Nymph and the Zebra Midge. There are two must-have flies for any fly box, especially for fly fishing in Virginia in the winter when midges are coming off. Should be a great time. Get here a bit early as we had standing room only last week. I did buy another table and chairs for this week though. As always, the coffee will be on. If you plan to tie along with us, bring the following:
*size 16 hooks, preferably 1xshort but 2x will do
*6/0 or 8/0 thread in black, olive, or orange
*2mm/ 5/64 tungsten beads for zebra midges (hint: i sell 100 packs which reduces the price about 70% over the 10 pack)
* Pheasant tail (duh)
* fine wire, copper or gold (i use ultra wire)

Free Fly Tying Clinics

Free Fly Tying ClinicsWe had a great time on Saturday with our FREE fly tying clinic here at the store. We had about 15 people with free coffee and lots of ideas. We tied up some great soft hackle patterns including the Detonator.
Join us this saturday from 9:30 to 11:30 for another free session on nymphs. We’ll be tackling the Pheasant Tail and the Zebra Midge; two of my go-to patterns for trout. These are fairly easy to tie (I love simplicity) and monstrously effective. Here is material list if you want to tie along with us:
* size 16 nymph hooks
* red, orange, or brown thread 8/0
* any color pheasant tail
* fine gold wire
* 2mm tungsten beads, any color (5/64″)

As always, i’ve got about 6 rotary vices you can use but bring yours if you have one.
Finally, here is the schedule for the rest of January and February:
Jan 21-Gordon/Nymphs
Jan 28-John Schmidt/clouser and darter minnows
Feb 4-Mike Brinkac/creative fly tying
Feb 11-Skip Burzamato/Garcia Hot Butt and other dry flies
Feb 18-Mattie Majorin/Saltwater patterns/cbay stripers

New Fly Fishing Travel Trips for 2012

We are pleased to announce our new travel itenerary for world fly fishing travel for 2012.
We will be hosting 3 trips this year to some of our favorite and picturesque locations. We have personally fished all of these locations and wait all year long just to go back.


CASA BLANCA LODGE, YUCATAN
Bonefish, Tarpon, Permit, and Snook. And lots of them. This year’s trip saw all angler’s hook up with permit. One angler even landed 4 in one day. Tarpon to 150lbs were hooked and the food is second to none. For a fantastic and exotic travel experience for saltwater fly fishing this is the trip! Dates: November 3-10, 2012
We just got back from this stellar lodge in the Yucatan. All four of the big species were hooked. Permit, Tarpon, Bonefish, and Snook. 1 angler landed 4 permit! There are multiple dates open at this famous lodge in Yucatan. Bonefish are the primary target and there are lots of them, however, you have a good shot at baby tarpon and permit as well as snook. Plan to join us next fall. Carson and I will be hosting a trip and taking a max of 9 anglers. Please contact us for a great brochure and cd with all the info on this experience.
Cost: $3722 6 Days
Dates: Nov 3-10, 2012

King Salmon, Steelhead and Big Browns at Salmon River, Pulaski, NY
We be heading up to NY for the fall steelhead/salmon run in September 2012. You can expect multiple big fish per day. This year over 150 fish were hooked over the 3 day trip. Accommodations are on the river at Douglaston Salmon Run property. Bring 8-10wt rods. Limited to 4 anglers. 1 spots left @ 12/1/2011. Call now to book: 434.977.6882

Wild Brown and Rainbow Trout on the South Holston, Bluff City, TN
One of my favorite local trips, the South Holston is second to none in terms of Southeast fly fishing for trout. Fish for wild brown and rainbow trout with 6000 trout per mile. We will be staying at River’s Way, a private camp with 1 mile of private wading water limited to 5 anglers per day. I have personally fished this property for the last 4 years and it is absoluteyly incredible. Bring your “A” game as fish are very selective. Major Sulpher and BWO hatches are the order of the day but whe the bugs start hatching it gets wild! Best looking brown trout i’ve ever seen. We are staying right on the river in a deluxe cabin and cooking steaks out on the grill. 2 spots left. Call now to book: 434.977.6882

FREE FLY TYING THIS SATURDAY

FREE FLY TYING THIS SATURDAY Join us this saturday, Jan 7 for our kickoff to FREE winter fly tying clincs. We will be tying and demonstrating each saturday in January and February here in the store from 9:30-11:30am.

This Saturday the topic will be “Starting from scratch” by Gordon English. This is our introductory class for beginning tiers covering tools, materials and techniques. We will tie about 4 patterns that teach basic skills and use basic tools. You will need to provide your own materials which can be purchased at the store. I have several vises you are welcome to use if you do not have your own. The materials list is as follows:
-ultra chenille
-tying thread
-bobbin
-scissors
-hook (scud or wet fly size 12 0r 14_
-hackle pack
-biots or wood duck
-beads
-vice
with these basic materials we can tie a variety of patterns. I have some extra scissors too. First come, first served.

We’ll have the coffee on and lots of fun and great bonding time while learning the newest patterns and sharing info,patterns and tips. We’re also lining up a great docket of guest tiers from our own employees to local talent and innovators. We will cover the spectrum of tying from drys to saltwater so make sure to mark your calendars and come join us. There is no cost but you will need to buy your own materials if you want to tie along. Usually $10 or so will cover it unless you need hooks,tools,etc. This is a great way to get started in tying or to improve your skills.

Get cash for your old Bamboo Rod or Vintage Fly Reel

We are currently buying and selling old vintage fly fishing equipment, especially cane rods.  If you have an old one sitting around bring it by for a free appraisal.  We pay cash.Get cash for your old Bamboo Rod or Vintage Fly Reel

Bamboo Fly Rods–Bought and Sold

We are currently buying bamboo fly rods in good condition.  Got an old one in the attic?  Don’t fish it anymore?  Stop by for a free appraisal.  We pay cash for old rods and reels.


Currently for sale:

“Ruffled Grouse” by fishnfiddler 7ft 4wt with 2 tips and aluminum case with brass fittings.  Built on a Dickerson 7012 taper this is the Deluxe grade rod made by Joe Scheer in Arlington.  This has been my personal rod for the last few years and fishes great.  In “almost new” condition with some use on the cork.  Custom turned plugs and original bag and tube.  Asking $700.

Bamboo Fly Rods  Bought and SoldBamboo Fly Rods  Bought and SoldBamboo Fly Rods  Bought and Sold

 

Moorman’s Stocking Tomorrow

The TJTU Special Regs section of the Moorman’s will be stocked tomorrow at 10am. Anyone wanting to help with the stocking can show up then. Fishing should be great for the next few weeks. Get your permits at the store. 434.977.6882

Fish Report For November

Fish Report For November

Fish Report: Big Bend Farm Trophy Trout Fishing-11/15/2011
Just got done stocking another 250 big rainbows AND 250 Browns @ Big Bend Farm last week. Fishing is fantastic right now especially as the temps have been warmer than usual leading to increased bug activity. The dry fly fishing has been outstanding on size 14 Elk Hair Caddis, especially in the afternoon.

READ MORE HERE…