I started Fly Fishing so many years ago that I’ve forgotten how long it has been. The sport is nothing like other forms of fishing. It is an art, a passion, and there is just something about it that is almost spiritual. I am not a purist by any means. I will fish for any species with fly and rod. One of my most favorite passages by John Gay, and english poet, fairly describes the sport. I practice catch and release.
Rural Sport by John Gay
“Around the steel no tortured worm shall twine,
No blood of living insect stain my line:
Let me, less cruel, cast the feathered hook
With pliant rod athwart the pebbled brook,
Silent along the mazy margin stray,
And with the fur-wrought fly delude the prey.”
“From my limited edition copy #13 of 25 Printed by the University Press, Cambridge 1880”
Panama City Florida September 2021
Shenandoah River June 2021
Common Carp on Cicada Fly. Largest 32.5 inches
Northern VA Private Lake June 2021
Grass Carp On Cicada Fly. Largest 38.5 INches
Jackson River Nov 21-22, 2020
Two tough days \, fish not very active. One beauty. 18inch wild Rainbow. And a nice Brown.
Shenandoah River, VA Jul 10, 2020
Went with good friend Pete and fished with Guide William Heresniak of https://easterntrophies.com. It was a great day..26 fish caught and released. All Chuck Kraft flies.
Amherst – Lexington, VA Jul 7 – 8, 2020
It was best day for smallmouth I’ve ever had. Fished with Guide Matt Miles. Tuesday was slow but Wednesday was epic. Many 12-14. One or two 16 inchers, a 17 incher, a 19 inch on a CK Bug made by me, and drum roll please a 20 inch Citation potbelly Virginia smallmouth. http://mattmilesflyfishing.com
Fredericksburg Area, VA June 3, 2020
Fished with William Heresniak of Eastern Trophies Fly Fishing, great guide and a good day fishing. https://easterntrophies.com
Rappahannock River, Falmouth Flats, VA May 26, 2020
Made a last minute decision to go fish the river. Reeled in 8 Stripped Bass to over 20 inches. Peak time was odd, they jus around 7:00 to 7:30 then tapered off. Had one other large one on, but nearing the net, it made a spectacular run and “snap goes the leader”!
Rappahannock River, Falmouth Flats, VA May 16, 2020
Fished last night with some good friends, and although the shad were still there, the numbers seem to have decreased. Caught a few Hickory shad but one of the highlights of the evening was the capture of a very large American Shad. They are fairly rare in the Rappahannock. In 6 yrs I’ve only caught two. When hooked Hickory shad will jump and jump some more. They have earned the nickname of “poor man’s Tarpon”. An American shad will stay deep and only come up when you bring it up. The pictures show American and Hickory with the jaw shape being the key to ID them. Size and shape are also pretty evident. Second Highlight of the evening came after dark when Striped Bass started to strike. Caught four 12-14 inche and then a fairly big one. It put on a good fight. I’ve also included pictures of the flies used for the fish caught.
WELDON, NC … May 2020
Recent expedition to Weldon, NC with one of my favorite guides to fish for Striped Bass. Matt Miles guides for Trout, Smallmouth, Muskey and this time of year for these hard fighting fish. http://mattmilesflyfishing.com
SOUTH HOLSTON RIVER, Tenn. … September 2017
The largest trout I’ve ever caught. A 22″ Brown on a size 22 scud. Fishing with another of my favorite guides. Sam Dennis of https://www.southholstonrivercompany.com. A great young southern gentleman and a great guide.
ALASKA … July 2017
Made a week long trip to the north with my son. It was great and I highly recommend it. Learned there are no snakes in Alaska but they make up for it with Mosquitoes. I have to admit the Salmon was not caught on a fly rod, the current was raging.
