Fly Fishing Lessons & Classes in Virginia | Murray's Fly Shop

Learn to fly fish with Murray's Fly Shop in Edinburg, Virginia. Since 1962, we have taught anglers how to fly fish the native trout streams and rivers of the Shenandoah Valley. Our Virginia fly fishing schools, casting lessons, and fly tying classes are designed for beginners as well as experienced anglers who want to improve their skills.

Our instruction is based on the waters we fish every day. We teach practical techniques for Virginia trout streams, Shenandoah National Park brook trout, and Shenandoah River smallmouth bass, along with fly casting, fly selection, knots, fly tying, and fly fishing equipment.

  • Hands-On Instruction: Learn through practical instruction with plenty of opportunity to practice and ask questions.
  • Local Fishing Knowledge: Learn techniques developed specifically for the trout streams, mountain water, and Shenandoah River.
  • Practical Fly Fishing Skills: Take what you learn in class and apply it the next time you are on the water.

Call Murray's Fly Shop at (540) 984-4212 to register or Register Online. to register for an upcoming fly fishing school or workshop less than two hours from Washington, DC.

Virginia Fly Fishing Schools for Beginners

Beginner fly fishing instruction in Shenandoah National Park Virginia

Our Beginner Fly Fishing Schools are a good place to start if you have never picked up a fly rod or want to build a solid foundation before fishing on your own.

We keep our instruction practical and straightforward. You will learn the basics of fly casting, fly fishing equipment, knots, fly selection, and stream fishing techniques that will help you become more comfortable on the water.

What You Will Learn

  • Fly casting fundamentals and line control
  • Fly rod, reel, fly line, leader, and tippet setup
  • Essential fly fishing knots and leader construction
  • How to read trout streams and rivers
  • Basic fly selection for Virginia trout and smallmouth bass
  • How to approach fish without unnecessarily spooking them

Our goal is to give you the basic skills and understanding you need to enjoy your time on the water and continue learning as you fish.

Intermediate & Advanced Fly Fishing Anglers

Our more advanced fly fishing schools and on-the-stream instruction are designed for anglers who already have some experience and want to improve their fishing. These schools concentrate on the details that can make a difference when fishing Virginia's mountain trout streams and the Shenandoah River.

Advanced Fly Fishing Techniques

  • Improving casting accuracy, distance, and line control
  • Dry fly presentation and drift control
  • Nymphing and streamer techniques
  • Seasonal fly selection for Virginia waters
  • Reading complicated currents and stream structure
  • Approaching fish in clear, low mountain water

For anglers who want to learn specifically about smallmouth bass, our Shenandoah River Smallmouth Bass Fly Fishing Schools focus on reading the river, locating fish, and presenting flies effectively in moving water.

Fly Tying Classes & Workshops in Virginia

Fly tying class at Murray's Fly Shop in Edinburg Virginia

Learning to tie your own flies is a great way to better understand the flies you fish. Our fly tying classes and workshops are designed for beginners as well as experienced tiers who want to improve their techniques or learn new patterns.

Depending on the class, instruction may include patterns and techniques for:

  • Dry Flies – Trout patterns and mayfly imitations
  • Nymphs – Subsurface patterns for trout streams
  • Streamers – Baitfish and leech patterns for trout and bass
  • Deer Hair Bass Bugs – Effective topwater flies for smallmouth bass

Our instructors work with you on thread control, material selection, proportions, and tying techniques. Small class sizes give you plenty of opportunity to practice and ask questions while you are tying.

View our current fly tying classes and workshops

Hands-On Fly Fishing Instruction in the Shenandoah Valley

What makes a Murray's Fly Shop school different is our emphasis on the waters you will actually fish. Our instruction is built around the trout streams and rivers of the Shenandoah Valley, Shenandoah National Park, the Blue Ridge Mountains, the George Washington National Forest, and the Shenandoah River.

Rather than spending your entire class listening to general fly fishing theory, we concentrate on practical questions: Where are the fish? How should you approach them? Which fly should you use? How should you present it? And how do changing water conditions affect your fishing?

That practical approach has been part of Murray's Fly Shop since Harry Murray founded the shop in 1962.

Why Learn to Fly Fish at Murray's Fly Shop?

  • Over 60 Years of Experience: Murray's Fly Shop was founded by Harry Murray in 1962.
  • Local Fishing Knowledge: Our instruction is based on decades of fishing the Shenandoah Valley and surrounding Virginia waters.
  • Small Classes: Smaller class sizes provide more opportunity for questions, practice, and individual instruction.
  • Trout & Smallmouth Instruction: Learn techniques for Virginia trout streams and Shenandoah River smallmouth bass.
  • Fly Tying Instruction: Learn to tie practical flies for the waters you fish.

Who Should Attend Our Fly Fishing Schools?

Our fly fishing classes in Virginia are appropriate for a wide range of anglers, including:

  • Complete beginners learning fly fishing for the first time
  • Spin anglers making the transition to fly fishing
  • Fly anglers who want to improve their casting
  • Anglers preparing for a guided fly fishing trip
  • Visitors planning to fish Virginia trout streams
  • Anglers who want to improve their Shenandoah River smallmouth fishing
  • Fly tiers who want to learn new patterns and techniques

When Are Fly Fishing Classes Offered?

On-the-Stream Fly Fishing Schools and Fly Fishing Workshops are scheduled throughout the year. Classes and schools vary by season and may focus on mountain trout, Shenandoah River smallmouth bass, fly casting, fly tying, or other subjects.

Because our schedule changes throughout the year, the best way to see upcoming classes, dates, and availability is to visit our current school and workshop schedule.

View All Scheduled Fly Fishing Schools & Classes

Frequently Asked Questions About Virginia Fly Fishing Schools

When are fly fishing classes offered?

Classes and schools are scheduled throughout the year. The current schedule includes beginner classes, on-the-stream schools, fly tying workshops, and specialized instruction for trout and smallmouth bass.

Do I need my own fly fishing gear?

We provide fly rods and reels for use during our On-the-Stream Schools and provide fly tying equipment for our Fly Tying Workshops. We will have a selection of flies you can purchase which are working at the time of your class. You are also welcome to bring your own equipment if you have it.

During our On-the-Stream Fly Fishing Schools, essential tools such as nippers, forceps, hook sharpeners, and flies are available for purchase, or you can bring your own gear to use during the On-the-Stream School.

Are your fly fishing schools good for beginners?

Yes. We offer instruction for anglers who are completely new to fly fishing as well as those who already have experience and want to improve specific skills. Check the description of each class to find the instruction that best matches your experience and interests.

Where can I fish after taking a fly fishing class?

The Shenandoah Valley offers many opportunities for trout and smallmouth bass fishing. Depending on the type of school you attend, our instructors will help you better understand the water and techniques you can use on Virginia's mountain trout streams, Shenandoah National Park waters, and the Shenandoah River. We will happily show you where you can fish on your own using maps of the surrounding area.

Register for a Fly Fishing School in Virginia

Whether you are learning to cast a fly rod for the first time, improving your trout fishing, learning to tie your own flies, or preparing to fish the Shenandoah River for smallmouth bass, Murray's Fly Shop offers practical instruction based on decades of experience on these waters.

View our current fly fishing schools, classes, and workshops, or call Murray's Fly Shop at (540) 984-4212 to register.