Guided Fly Fishing

Choose Your Trip

Every Shenandoah Fly Fishing trip is guided, but each experience is different. Choose a Bass Boat, Pontoon Boat, or Cataraft trip based on the water you want to fish, your experience level, and the kind of day you want on the water.

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Trip Options

Three Ways to Get on the Water

Each platform provides a different way to fish. Eligible active-duty U.S. military members and veterans can review the water, duration, experience level, capacity, and preparation details below to choose the trip that best matches their goals.

A one-on-one guided fly-fishing trip from a 17-foot bass boat on the main stem of the Shenandoah River above the dam in Front Royal. This trip is well suited to anglers who are new to fly fishing or new to casting from a boat.

Experience: Beginner through experienced
Capacity: One angler is booked per trip. A second angler may be possible depending on total passenger and equipment weight; contact Shenandoah Fly Fishing before booking.
Common Species: Sunfish, Smallmouth bass

What to Bring

Fly rod
Appropriate flies
Weather-appropriate layered clothing
Hat
Sunglasses or other protective eyewear
Non-studded footwear if wearing wading boots

Food & Water

Bring any snacks or food you would like during the trip. A cooler with ice and bottled water is provided.

Trip Notes

Typical booking windows are 8:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00 PM–5:00 PM.
The boat is rated for four people or 600 pounds total, including fuel and equipment. Due to this limitation, booking is typically limited to one guest.

Request Bass Boat Trip

Pontoon Boat Trip guided fly-fishing trip

A full-day guided fly-fishing trip on Lake Anna from a spacious pontoon boat with room to cast comfortably and explore different areas of the lake throughout the day.

Experience: Beginner through experienced
Capacity: Capacity is managed according to the specific trip. Contact Shenandoah Fly Fishing with questions about group size before scheduling.

What to Bring

Fly rod
Appropriate flies
Weather-appropriate layered clothing
Hat
Sunglasses or other protective eyewear
Non-studded footwear if wearing wading boots

Food & Water

Plan to bring food and snacks appropriate for a full day on the water. Additional food, water, and cooler details are provided during scheduling.

Trip Notes

Primary location is Lake Anna.
Launch location, fishing plan, and other trip-specific details are confirmed during scheduling based on conditions.

Contact for Availability

Online booking is not currently available for this trip. Contact Shenandoah Fly Fishing with questions about availability or scheduling.

Contact Us

A full-day guided float on a 16-foot cataraft on the Shenandoah River. Locations vary with water and fishing conditions and may include the South Fork south of Front Royal or the main stem north of Front Royal. These trips are intended for anglers who are comfortable fly casting and want a full Shenandoah smallmouth experience.

Experience: Intermediate to experienced fly casters
Capacity: Two anglers per trip.
Common Species: Smallmouth bass, Catfish, Sunfish

What to Bring

Fly rod
Appropriate flies
Weather-appropriate layered clothing
Hat
Sunglasses or other protective eyewear
Non-studded footwear if wearing wading boots

Food & Water

Bring a packed lunch and any snacks you want for the day. A large cooler with ice and bottled water is provided.

Trip Notes

The raft is approximately 16 feet long and 8.5 feet wide.
Trip location may change because of weather, water level, river conditions, or fishing conditions.
Rain is always possible, and participants should plan for a full day outdoors.

Request Cataraft Trip

Additional Opportunities

Custom Trip Requests

Eligible active-duty U.S. military members and veterans looking for something outside the regularly scheduled offerings may request a custom guided fly-fishing trip. Availability depends on destination, season, fishing conditions, travel requirements, and guide availability.

Submit a request with your preferred dates, location or water if known, number of anglers, experience level, and what you would like to get out of the trip.

Request a Custom Trip

What to Fish

Fly Recommendations

You do not need an enormous fly box for these trips. A practical selection of surface flies and streamers will cover much of the warm-water fishing we do.

Sunfish

Double-Barrel Popper — white, chartreuse, or black
Foam terrestrial and bug patterns
Dry flies in a variety of colors and profiles

Smallmouth Bass

Clouser Minnow — chartreuse/white, olive/white, or brown/white
Woolly Bugger — olive, brown, or black
Peanut or Micro Peanut Envy — olive, brown, or black
Streamers generally in sizes 4–8

These are recommendations rather than rules. Productive colors, profiles, sizes, and presentations can change with water clarity, temperature, weather, fish behavior, and the type of water being fished.

Learn more about smallmouth bass fishing →

Before Your Trip

Safety & Preparation

Water, boating, weather, fishing equipment, and outdoor conditions involve inherent risks. Guests are expected to follow guide instructions, use safety equipment as directed, and communicate concerns that could affect safe participation.

Appropriate clothing, secure footwear, a hat, polarized or protective eyewear, and preparation for changing weather are strongly encouraged. Conditions on the water may feel considerably different from conditions on land, particularly early in the day or while a boat is underway.

Review Trip Safety View Liability Waiver

Required for Participation

Annual Liability Waiver

Participants must review and sign the Shenandoah Fly Fishing, LLC Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Release Agreement before participating in a guided trip.

The waiver remains in effect for guided activities through December 31 of the calendar year in which it is signed.

View Liability Waiver

For Active Duty & Veterans

Find the Trip That Fits Your Day

Trips are exclusively for active-duty U.S. military members and veterans, offered at no cost. Review the trip options above, then submit a request — including for another destination or fishing experience if you have one in mind.

Request a Trip