Mountain Trout Fly Fishing School in George Washington National Forest

George Washington National Forest On-the-Stream Fly Fishing School

Since 1962, Harry Murray has refined these on-the-stream lessons to be the most informative brook trout classes in Virginia. While many anglers focus on large rivers, these workshops master the intricacies of small to medium-sized mountain streams.

Our George Washington National Forest schools focus specifically on the "smallest" native brook trout streams. Whether you are a beginner or a graduate of our Shenandoah National Park schools, this class offers a deep dive into the tactics unique to small-stream angling.

2027 School Dates & Registration

Cost: $200 per person

  • Monday, April 5, 2027
  • Monday, April 12, 2027
  • Monday, April 19, 2027
  • Monday, April 26, 2027
  • Monday, May 3, 2027

Call 540-984-4212 or Register Online Today

What You Will Learn: Mastering Small Streams

We spend the majority of the day on the water to maximize your learning experience. Our curriculum covers:

  • Small Stream Casting: Precision techniques for tight, high-gradient environments.
  • Reading the Water: Identifying prime lies in the smallest mountain pools.
  • Mountain Entomology: In-depth look at nymphs and topwater flies for the Mid-Atlantic.
  • Equipment Selection: Choosing the right fly rod, fly reel, and leaders for brook trout.
  • Stealth & Presentation: How to approach wary native fish in crystal-clear water.

Schedule & Location

Classes are held at Murray’s Fly Shop in Edinburg, Virginia. The day begins at 9:00 a.m. at our shop in Edinburg, VA, followed by a 30-minute drive to a Native Brook Trout Stream in the George Washington National Forest.

The school concludes at approximately 5:00 p.m. Please come prepared for a full day outdoors, rain or shine.

What's Included & What to Bring

We provide high-quality fly rods, reels, and leaders for your use during the school. If you wish to purchase your own outfit, we offer a curated selection of Fly Rod Outfits tailored for mountain fishing.

You will need to provide:

  • VA Freshwater License & National Forest Permit: Available at our shop or online.
  • Wading Gear: Chest-high or waist-high waders (wet wading is optional in late May).
  • Wading Staff: Strongly recommended for navigating slippery mountain rocks.
  • Personal Gear: Lunch, water, raincoat, and sun protection.

Advanced Mountain Trout Workshops

Ready for the next step? Our Advanced Mountain Trout Schools focus on perfecting nymphing techniques and deep-diving into regional entomology. This is the perfect follow-up for anglers looking to master complex currents and hatch matching.

Physical Ability Note: Wading rock-filled rivers requires physical exertion roughly equal to walking up 8 flights of stairs. Please contact us if you have concerns regarding your physical ability to wade for a full day.

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.

Register Today

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 store credit.  

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