Given the beauty of Virginia, it is hardly surprising to find outdoor activities high on the list of things to do. Fly fishing in Virginia is a particularly good time.

Fly Fishing in the Commonwealth of Virginia offers a good example of how the organization of local anglers combined with some excellent fish habitats can create an excellent fishing experience. The Internet has actually become a tool that has aided the increased popularity of fly fishing by providing detailed information on fishing sites, fishing clubs, and fishing techniques. Virginia's fly fishing community seems to have discovered this and is making the most of it.

Fly fishing in Virginia has always been popular because of the large number of rivers and streams that are ideal for the sport. The Shenandoah Valley is one such area. The Shenandoah River and the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains with its many shallow streams offer up trout and bass that rival those found anywhere in the country. You can find good fly fishing areas on the historic Rappahannock River in the north or at the edges of the swampy coastal regions of the south.

Fly fishing was very much of a "gentleman's sport" in its early days, and Virginia took to it very early in its history. Despite the Revolutionary War, upper class Virginians were slower to break away from the English mentality than their brothers in New England. It was not surprising then that the popularity of fly fishing in England would carry over to Virginia.

Today, fly fishing in Virginia is not restricted to the "upper classes" any longer, but it has still retained a slight touch of this early heritage. The fly fisherman often feels just a tad bit superior to any other type of angler. This has led to fly fishermen joining together in clubs and these clubs have used the technology of the World Wide Web to spread the word. These sites range from the advertisement of the many lodge vacations or guide and instruction services to a state wide site that offers a chance to enter feedback on fishing conditions on over 75 different locations.

Fly fishing in Virginia is healthy and growing. The Commonwealth has done a good job in managing the natural resources and stocking and catch and release programs have countered the fishing pressure. Virginia is an area that depends much on the visitors and tourists that come to enjoy the recreational and historical opportunities there. The local anglers have always had to deal with this influx of visitors and have done so by making them welcome. Almost every shop that deals with fly fishing equipment in Virginia also offers instruction and guide service geared to guests and beginners.