The Albemarle Angler

We 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

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.

The Special Regs section of the Moormans will be stocked tomorrow, Friday, October 14 at 10am. Fishing should be great. You will need an annual pass to fish this catch and release area. Offers some great local virginia fly fishing. Passes are on sale at the store for $50/yr.

You heard it before but, a picture says it all. Well, along with me adding a little story. Summer time in virginia for most trout anglers can be downright depressing. The trout streams are low and the water is hot, not to mention the air temperature. Not so fast my bug slinging friend. Virginia has some of the best Smallmouth Bass on the east coast. Yes there is fly fishing in Virginia in the summer. If you are already a Smallmouth angler then you will appreciate and share my excitement on this topic, if you are not you are missing the boat. Literately. We have been floating the, James, Shenandoah and Rivanna rivers with all of them producing very well. Ok. Don’t look at the pictures yet. Think about this. You are floating down or up if your on the Shenandoah, yes it flows south to north, one or very few that do. Sorry, back to the story. Floating down the a river theat Thomas Jefferson himself had been on. Did he wet a line? I like to think so. Bald Eagles over head, the only worry you have that day is, does that fish want a fast or slow retrieve? which you will have the answer in about two seconds. Enough of my jabbering.

Yes the Smallmouth are very hot right now. This trip, Friday the 12th of August did have another worry, what x tippet am I using? We are seeing big numbers and BIG FISH this year.