Frequently Asked Questions

Guided trips with Shenandoah Fly Fishing, LLC are available exclusively to active-duty U.S. military service members and U.S. military veterans. Guided trips are not currently offered to the general public.

Only participants who are themselves active-duty U.S. military service members or U.S. military veterans are currently eligible for guided trips. Family members, friends, and other guests who do not independently meet that eligibility requirement cannot be included as guided-trip participants.

No. Guided trips with Shenandoah Fly Fishing, LLC are provided at no cost to eligible participants. Participants are responsible for their own food, any drinks other than the bottled water provided, and their personal fishing gear.

No. Beginners are welcome, and instruction can be incorporated throughout the trip. More experienced anglers can spend more of the day focused on fishing, while mixed-experience groups can be accommodated when the trip and boat capacity allow.

The Bass Boat trip is particularly well suited to beginners and anglers who are new to casting from a boat. It provides a smaller, one-on-one setting where instruction can be incorporated throughout the trip. Other trips may also be appropriate depending on the angler, conditions, and type of experience requested.

The Bass Boat trip is a half-day trip lasting approximately four hours. Pontoon Boat and Cataraft trips are full-day experiences lasting approximately eight to nine hours. Actual time on the water can vary with conditions and trip circumstances.

Regular trips currently include Bass Boat and Cataraft fishing on the Shenandoah River and Pontoon Boat fishing on Lake Anna. Specific river sections, launch locations, and fishing plans may vary according to the trip and current conditions.

Shenandoah Fly Fishing operates seasonally, typically May through September. We are currently fully booked for the 2026 season and are closing out this year's trips. If you would like to request a trip for next year, please check back in late winter or early spring, when we begin scheduling the upcoming season.

Use the Trips page to review the current Shenandoah Fly Fishing offerings and request options. Trips with online availability can be requested through the scheduling system. If online scheduling is not available for a particular trip, contact Shenandoah Fly Fishing to discuss availability. All trip requests remain subject to eligibility, availability, conditions, and final confirmation.

Bring clothing appropriate for the forecast, polarized sunglasses or other protective eyewear, a hat, sunscreen, and any personal fishing equipment identified for your trip. Do not wear studded wading boots on the boats. Review the individual trip description for additional preparation recommendations.

Plan to bring a fly rod and appropriate flies for the trip unless other arrangements have been made. The individual trip description and preparation information can help you determine what equipment to bring, and questions about suitable equipment can be discussed before the trip.

Fly selection depends on the water, species, season, and conditions. For warm-water fishing, practical selections may include poppers and other surface patterns along with streamers such as Clouser Minnows, Woolly Buggers, and Peanut or Micro Peanut Envy patterns. Review the Trips page for current recommendations.

Trips include appropriate safety equipment, including personal flotation devices and first-aid equipment. Bottled water, ice, and cooler space are also available depending on the trip. Review the individual trip description for details about what is provided.

For full-day trips, bring a packed lunch and any snacks you want during the day. Cooler space, ice, and bottled water are available. For half-day trips, you may bring snacks or food if desired.

Capacity varies by trip. The Bass Boat is normally booked for one angler, although a second eligible angler may be possible depending on total passenger and equipment weight. The Cataraft is designed for two eligible anglers. Pontoon Boat capacity is managed according to the specific trip. Contact Shenandoah Fly Fishing before requesting a trip if you have questions about group size.

Possibly. Bass Boat trips are normally scheduled for one angler because the boat has a total capacity limit that includes passengers, fuel, and equipment. A second eligible angler may be possible depending on total weight. Contact Shenandoah Fly Fishing before requesting the trip if you would like to bring a second angler.

Safety takes priority over fishing. Weather, water conditions, and foreseeable hazards are evaluated before and during each trip. A trip may be adjusted, delayed, rescheduled, canceled, or ended early when conditions do not support a safe day on the water.

Yes. Water levels, weather, fishing conditions, access, and other factors can require changes to the planned location, route, departure time, or fishing strategy. These decisions are made to provide a safe and practical trip under the conditions encountered that day.

Personal flotation devices are provided for guided boat and raft trips. Their use depends on the vessel, water conditions, applicable requirements, and guide instructions. Participants are expected to follow all safety instructions before and during the trip.

Cellular service can vary and may be limited or unavailable on some waters. Trip planning considers the location, available communication methods, conditions, and access to assistance before departure.

No. Alcohol and recreational drugs are not permitted during guided trips. Participants must remain capable of safely participating, using equipment responsibly, and following guide instructions throughout the day.

Yes. Eligible active-duty U.S. military service members and U.S. military veterans may submit custom trip requests for destinations, waters, species, or fishing experiences that are not part of the regular schedule. Availability depends on destination, season, fishing conditions, travel requirements, guide availability, and the type of trip requested.

No. A custom trip request is an inquiry only. The trip is not scheduled until eligibility, destination, date, availability, and other trip details have been confirmed directly by Shenandoah Fly Fishing, LLC.

No. Do not submit medical information through the custom trip request form. Relevant health or safety considerations can be discussed through the appropriate trip-preparation process if a trip is scheduled.

Yes. Participants must complete the applicable liability waiver before participating in a guided trip. The current waiver is available from the Trips and Safety pages.