West Virginia Fly Fishing :: Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find some of the most commonly asked questions. If you have questions about your upcoming trip, please call us toll-free, 1-800-545-7238.

What Should I Bring
-> Valid West Virginia Fishing license. Both resident and non-resident licenses may be purchased by calling the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, 1-304-558-2758.
-> Rain Gear; Avoid cotton clothes on cold, rainy days. Synthetic fleece and polypropylene layers work best.
-> Polarized sunglasses, brimmed hat, sunscreen and a small camera are all good to have with you
-> For overnight trips, please bring your sleeping bag, camp clothes and shoes.

What Kind of Tackle and Lures Should I Bring?
Spin fishing for smallmouth bass
Tackle and lures can be provided but if you wish to bring your own we suggest:
Medium to medium light rods with 6 to 10lbs. test line (6lbs. Test for clear water); Mountain State Anglers Fishing Services supplies plastic baits (tubes, grubs, plastic jerk baits) at no cost. If you use and lose our crankbaits, plugs or minnows we ask that you please replace them.

Fly fishing for smallmouth bass
We use 7 to 8wt. Rods and lines for smallmouth bass. We can provide all the tackle and flies. Here are some of the flies we use, Wooly buggers (white, black, brown and orange and olive), weighted crystal buggers (same colors as wooly buggers), Hellgrammite and crayfish patterns, Clouser minnows (olive and white, chartreuse and yellow and purple and white), profile minnow flies, Dahlberg divers, Sneaky Pete's and frog style deer hair poppers are some old standbys.

Fly fishing for trout
3 to 4wt. Rods and lines are perfect for these mountain streams. An assortment of nymphs (prince nymphs, hare's ears, Pheasant tails, and olive caddis larvae), dry flies (BWO's Hendrickson's, blue quill's, Quill Gordon's, Royal Wulffs, Para Adams, and Elk hair caddis), also bring a few wet flies and streamers to. Mountain State Anglers Fishing Services can provide all waders, tackle and flies if you need them.

What We Provide:
-> We provide all tackle for both fly fishing and spin fishing. -> All meals, snacks and drinks are provided (see trip descriptions for details).
-> Transportation to and from the river.

Please Note:
All trips are catch and release only, with artificial lures and flies only. Prices do not include 6% sales tax or guide gratuity.