I can’t remember my first hunt. The first time my dad took me, gun-toting, afield in the pursuit of real game. But I know that it was a heavy experience—one that I had looked forward to, and that fueled my love for the outdoors, and, likely, one that he had to sacrific...
The older I grow, the less I care about material things. Sure, as an angler, material things—such as boats, gear, etc.—can facilitate experiences, but it is the memories that are treasured. They are all gifts. Time is a gift, and so it is during the pause taken at Chri...
Fall is halfway gone, and it's safe to say that conditions have been a total contradiction to last fall. Low, clear water and warmer temps have been the rule. At this point, temps have turned seasonal and downright cold on some mornings, but low, clear water is still s...
It is generally unwise to state rules in fishing, without qualifiers. I’ve learned so quickly in answering questions from clients on the river. Words like “never” and “always” simply invite instances of “sometimes.” Add a lady to the mix, particularly one with the temp...
As wild as it seems, it's nearly September--my favorite month of the year, and the month when the most giant smallmouth seem to grace the boat, year after year. Water temps are on their way back down, overnight temps are dipping pretty low, and the dog days cicadas are...
For the smallmouth bass angler, the summertime represents one of the most exciting times of the year, when fish, big and small, will readily eat a topwater bug, creating a very visual and memorable experience. That time is upon us, now, and, until October, we'll be tak...
As I write this, the New River is on the rise thanks to heavy rains in southwest Virginia and western North Carolina, and it seems to have come at a natural break in the season. By the time the river recedes, I expect we'll be moving quickly into summer fishing. Spring...
The inaugural smallmouth camp, hosted by Charlottesville-based fishing rod manufacturer, Reilly Rod Crafters at Fariss Farms and Iron Heart Winery on the banks of the New River, was a success earlier this month, despite a strong curveball in the form of heavy rain and...
When I wrote my last fishing report, I had just finished my last musky trip of the winter season, the nights were still cold, and smallmouth fishing couldn't get here quick enough. In the last month, the trees have leafed out, we've seen our first major insect hatches,...
On May 5 - 7, 2019, Reilly Rod Crafters hosted its inaugural Smallmouth Camp at Fariss Farms and Iron Heart Winery on the banks of the New River. Eight clients from across the country converged on the cabins at Fariss Farms for two days of guided smallmouth fishing, ca...
