Massanutten Guide Recommendations

[John Burke]

I've followed you all for awhile and know you are a group of knowledgeable local fisherman, so I come to you with the following inquiry:

My girlfriend and her family will be staying at a Massanutten Resort timeshare from October 28-30th.  They're from Michigan and I'd love to treat them to some guided, Virginia smallmouth fishing while they're in town.  My girlfriend and I would prefer to fly fish with our own flies.  Her parents have limited fishing experience and would most likely be satisfied with spinning reels.  Is there a guide or guide company that could provide a fun experience for this group?  None of us are worried about trophy-sized bronze-backs. We just want to have fun as a family. Experience leads me to believe, her parents would simply have fun in a boat with cigars in hand. 

We're open to any and all suggestions.  Thank you for being such a fun and robust community.

- John B.

[JC Boaty]

Call Mossy Creek Gly Shop in Harrisonburg. Colby and Brian Trow know that area very well. I've personally seen them work on several occasions. They will get you on fish and you will have a great time. Both are very knowledgeable and great guys.

Curt B

[Jeffrey Silvan]

I would recommend an outfitter rather than an individual guide. If you're floating the river, you'll have to be on two separate rafts. It'll be easiest to coordinate the group through one of those places rather than two individual guides. I'd personally recommend Albemarle Angler (read my review here). Mossy Creek Fly Shop and Murray's Fly shop both also operate in the region. I haven't used Mossy Creek, but I have used Murray's. I think they contract a lot of their work out to local individual guides (at least they did the one time I used them, and the guide gave me that impression), so it may be a little more challenging to work with them.

I will caution you though - the end of October is pretty late in the season for smallmouths. You can get them year round, but it starts getting a lot more challenging that point in the season. Most of the outfitters will have switched to trout by then, and I'm not sure if they'll even still offer smallmouth floats that late. 

On Tue, Jul 30, 2013 at 7:39 AM, JC Boaty <jcurtis...@gmail.com> wrote:

Call Mossy Creek Gly Shop in Harrisonburg. Colby and Brian Trow know that area very well.   I've personally seen them work on several occasions.  They will get you on fish and you will have a great time. Both are very knowledgeable and great guys.

Curt B

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[Matthew Longley]

Not familiar with Massanutten, but if you are trying to tie up a bunch of flies beforehand, check out the website for Harry Murrays Fly Shop.  He does regular stream reports, and lets you know what is fishing well.  He's also developed a lot of flies specific for VA smallies.

[peter odell]

I'd second the endorsement of Mossy Creek - they have several great guides and a great attitude toward the customer.  We did a full day float on the Shenandoah with Colby, and it was very worthwhile. 

[John Burke]

Thanks for all the suggestions!  I'll provide a report if the trip happens.

On Tuesday, July 30, 2013 12:58:12 AM UTC-4, John Burke wrote: