Mountain Trout On-The-Stream Fly Fishing School in Shenandoah National Park

Mountain Trout Fly Fishing School: Shenandoah National Park

Master the art of angling in the Blue Ridge Mountains with the experts at Murray’s Fly Shop. Our Mountain Trout On-the-Stream School is a full-day, immersive experience designed to teach you the specialized tactics needed to catch native brook trout in high-gradient streams.

A fly fishing angler in our Mountain Trout Fly Fishing School in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia learning to catch native Brook Trout on a fly rod

Why Choose Our Virginia Mountain Trout School?

  • On-the-Stream Training: 95% of your instruction takes place on the water in Shenandoah National Park where we head after a one hour classroom session where we cover reading the water, fly selection, leaders and knots.
  • Expert Instruction: Learn the "blue lining" secrets Harry Murray has perfected since 1962.
  • Small Class Sizes: Benefit from personalized coaching and a low student-to-instructor ratio of 5:1.
    Do you prefer a more one-on-one approach, check out our Guided Fly Fishing Trips.

What You Will Learn

Fishing for wild trout requires a different skillset than traditional river fishing. Our curriculum focuses on:

1. Stealth and Approach

Learn how to navigate crystal-clear mountain pools without spooking wary wild trout. We cover low-profile wading and strategic positioning.

2. Technical Small-Stream Casting

Master the specialized casts needed for tight overhead cover, including the roll cast, bow-and-arrow cast, and side-arm deliveries.

3. Reading Mountain Water

Identify the prime Brook Trout holding locations in plunge pools, eddies, and pocket water. Understand where native brook trout hold during different hatches.

4. Rigging & Fly Selection

Get the blueprint for mountain trout leaders and learn to fish iconic local patterns like the Mr. Rapidan.

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Class Details & Logistics

Location: Meets in Syria, Virginia for classroom presentation then to a stream in the Shenandoah National Park.
Experience Level: Beginner to Advanced (must be able to wade uneven terrain).
Gear Provided: Premium fly rods and reels included - Flies and Tools not included but available for purchase.
Learn to fly fish for native brook trout in our On-the-Stream Schools - pictured is a native brook trout underwater in a Virginia freestone stream

Mountain Trout On-the-Stream Fly Fishing Schools - Shenandoah National Park

Learn to Fly Fish in our On-The-Stream Fly Fishing Schools.  Since 1962 Harry Murray has honed these lessons to what we feel are the most informative anywhere. These classes cover the tactics and techniques needed to catch fish in small to medium size mountain streams. These streams are abundant around the world but the techniques used are a little different from those used on the larger, less gradient streams and river.

2026 Dates

Wed. April 1, 2026
Wed. April 8-2026
Wed. April 15, 2026
Wed. April 22, 2026 
Wed. April 29, 2026
Wed. May 6, 2026 Advanced

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Learn what you need to know to Fly Fish on your own

Learn to Fly Fish in our Mountain Trout On-the-Stream Fly Fishing School.  Virginia Native Brook Trout two hours from Washington, D.C and under two hours from the Capital Beltway.

Since 1962 Harry Murray has honed these on the stream schools to what we feel are the most informative fly fishing lessons available anywhere.

Sign up todayHave Question? Give us a Call 540-984-4212
Native Brook Trout being released by an angler who caught it

We conduct these Mountain Trout On-the-Stream Fly Fishing Schools atGrave's Mountain Lodgein Syria, Virginia (which is approximately 40 miles east of our fly shop).  Each day begins at 9a.m. with a presentation at Grave's Mountain Lodge then we drive to a Native Brook Trout stream high in the Blue Ridge Mountains for the one-on-one on the stream instruction of learning to fly fish. School concludes at 5:00p.m.  Come prepared to spend the day outside on the stream fishing all day, rain or shine.

Register Today for a Full Day On-the-Stream School
Fly fishing angler holding a fly rod fishing a small mountain creek fishing for brook trout. Shen is leaning over a rock, wearing a sweater and a hat and backpack

This On-the-Stream Fly Fishing School will provide you with the experience and knowledge to fish mountain trout streams around the world.  You will learn, or brush up on, casting, fly fishing equipment selection (fly rod, fly reel, fly line, flies, wading gear), knot tying, reading the water, entomology, nymph fishing and topwater fishing.  
The techniques and tactics learned, while successful for brook trout here in the east, will work anywhere you encounter trout in small high gradient streams. We spend the majority of the time on the river to maximize your individual learning experience. 

The Advanced Mountain Trout On-the-Stream Schools:
In the advanced schools, we dive into the world of perfecting your nymph fishing technique along with an in depth look at the entomology found in the Shenandoah National Park. This is a great "next step" to our Mountain Trout Fishing On-The-Stream Schools.

Note: Please make an honest assessment of your physical ability to wade in a rock filled river all day.  If you think this will be difficult,  please contact us to discuss your options.  

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What's Included

We provide high quality Fly Rods and Fly Reels and Leaders for you to use during these schools. We have a large selection of Fly Rod Outfits for those wishing to purchase their own fly fishing outfit. 
(Lodging, Wading Gear, Snips, Pliers, Tools & Flies are not included.)

What You Bring/ Provide:

  1. Virginia Freshwater Fishing License (available at the fly shop) or online at gooutdoorsvirginia.com
  2. Chest High Waders, Waist High Waders or Hip Boots are adequate unless it is quite warm when wet wading is ok.
  3. Change of Clothes, Raincoat, Camera (optional)
  4. Lunch, Water, Sunscreen, Bug Repellent
  5. You may purchase flies, leaders, fly boxes, snips, pliers and other tools at the school if needed or you can bring your own if you already have them.
Sign up TodayHave Questions? Give us a call 540-984-4212

Cancellatin Policy and the Disclaimer

Cancellation Policy on Mountain Trout Schools -- If you cancel 60 days before the date of your school, a full refund is issued. With any shorter notice, your refund will be issued through a store credit.  Please be sure of your dates before booking your spot in our classes.

School Disclaimer and more details on what to bring.On-The-Stream Schools and lessons are conducted on the stream/river. Our goal is to ensure you have the best experience possible. 

Many factors are beyond our control such as: heat, cold, rain, briars, tall grass, poison ivy, slippery rocks, ticks, mosquitos, etc.  These schools involve moving around in the water and along the stream. Please come prepared to spend the day outside.

  • We strongly encourage wearing hard sole fishing boots and waders or hip boots in these schools as the water temperature is usually in the 50's from April through May. 
  • A wading staff is strongly recommended to anyone unfamiliar with wading in the streams and rivers of Virginia.

Activity on the stream is roughly equal to walking up 8 flights of stairs over 10 minutes. Please make an honest assessment of your abilities. 

Register TodayHave Questions? Give us a call 540-984-4212