Virginia native brook trout stream with boulders and a clear water and small waterfalls and an angler fly fishing while standing in the water

Mountain Trout On-the-Stream Fly Fishing Schools - George Washington National Forest

Learn to Fly Fish in our On-The-Stream Fly Fishing Schools in the George Washington National Forest of Virginia.  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. These classes differ from our Shenandoah National Park On-The-Stream Schools in that we are focused on fishing techniques unique to the smallest Native Brook Trout Streams. This class is a great introduction to Mountain Trout Fishing or as a follow up to our Shenandoah National Park Schools.

$200 per person

2025 Dates

Mon. April 7, 2025
Wed. April 16, 2025
Tues. April 22, 2025
Monday April 28, 2025
Monday May 5, 2025

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We conduct these Mountain Trout On-the-Stream Fly Fishing Schools at Murray’s Fly Shop in Edinburg, Virginia.  The day begins at 9a.m. with a presentation at our fly shop in Edinburg, Virginia. Then we drive to a Native Brook Trout stream in the George Washington National Forest  (approximately 30 minutes from our fly shop) for On-the-Stream instruction and learning to Fly Fish for Native Brook Trout in the smaller or the small streams. School concludes around 5p.m. Come prepared to spend the day outside on the stream, rain or shine.

Sign up todayHave Question? Give us a Call 540-984-4212
A fly fishing angler stands in a rock filled stream holding a fly rod fishing for native Virginia brook trout in the George Washington National Forest near Edinburg, VA

This On-the-Stream Fly Fishing School will provide you with the experience and knowledge to fish mountain trout streams around the world.  This class is designed to provide instruction on the intricacies unique to fishing the "smallest" of the small mountain streams.

We teach casting, presentation, 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. 

Register Today for a Full Day On-the-Stream School
Little yellow stonefly adult resting on a log

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 George Washington National Forest and the mid-Atlantic region. The Advanced Mountain Trout School is a great "next step" to our Mountain Trout 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.  The On-the-Stream portion of this school takes place in an area with NO CELL Service.

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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 need that we don't provide:

  1. Virginia Freshwater Fishing License and National Forest Permit (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 of cancellation, your refund will be issued through a gift certificate from our fly shop less a $50 cancellation fee.  

Please be sure of your dates before booking your spot in our classes.

School Disclaimer and more details on what to bring. The 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 54-0984-4212