Plan a Fly Fishing Day Trip to the Shenandoah Valley
Mossy Creek Fly Fishing is a fly shop, guide service and an Orvis Endorsed fly fishing school in Harrisonburg, Virginia, in business since 2003. Many of our customers drive in for the day from Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Richmond, Baltimore and Roanoke. Here's how to plan a fly fishing day trip to the Shenandoah Valley.
Drive Times to Our Harrisonburg Shop
| Starting from | Approximate drive time | Approximate distance |
|---|---|---|
| Washington, DC | About 2 hours 30 minutes | About 131 miles |
| Richmond, VA | About 2 hours 30 minutes | About 132 miles |
| Baltimore, MD | About 3 hours 20 minutes | About 169 miles |
| Roanoke, VA | About 2 hours 10 minutes | About 111 miles |
Drive times are approximate, with no traffic, from each city center to our shop at 480 East Market Street, Harrisonburg (OpenStreetMap routing). Allow extra time for traffic, and check your route before you leave.
What to Book
- Guided Trout Trip: 4 or 8 hours of wade fishing on public water or private water managed exclusively by our shop. $300 half day / $450 full day for one angler, $400 / $550 for two.
- Float Fishing Trip: full day, about 8 hours, covering 8-12 miles of the Shenandoah or James. $450 for one angler, $550 for two. Fly or spin.
- Tenkara Trip: 4 or 8 hours, same rates as our guided trout trips.
- Private Water at Susie Q Farm: un-guided fishing on Smith Creek, sunup to sundown, $100 rod fee per angler.
- Fly Fishing Class: 4 hours, $195 per student, 4 students max per instructor, gear provided.
- Orvis Fly Fishing School: full day, $339, booked through Orvis at 866-531-6213.
- Fly Tying Class: 2 hours, $45, up to 6 students.
Not sure which fits? Compare everything on Virginia Fly Fishing Guides and Learn to Fly Fish in Virginia. We recommend booking at least 3 months in advance during the spring months.
Meeting Point and Start Time
Guided trips meet either at our shop, 480 East Market Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801, or on the water, whichever is most convenient for you. If you are driving in from DC, Richmond, Baltimore or Roanoke, meeting your guide on the water can often save you time.
Start times are flexible and set at a time convenient for you. The week of your trip, your guide talks through the best fishing times and makes suggestions. Half days can start early in the morning or in the afternoon, and full-day timing depends on temperature and daylight. We set the meeting spot and start time when you book. Request a guided trip or class to get started.
What's Included and What to Bring
Guided trout and tenkara trips include all the gear you need, waders and wading boots, lunch on full-day trips and drinks on every trip. Float trips include gear, lunch and drinks. Classes include gear.
Bring:
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Rain gear
- A Virginia freshwater fishing license, required for all guided trips and classes. Some trips also need a trout license, and we'll let you know when you book. Licenses are available from Virginia DWR.
Guided trips, private water bookings, classes and schools are held rain or shine. You may cancel without penalty up to 72 hours before your trip; see the full policy on our booking page.
Read Up on the Water
Our stream pages cover regulations, access and seasons for the water near Harrisonburg:
- Mossy Creek (public section requires a free landowner permit; guided Mossy Creek trips fish our exclusive private water)
- North River Delayed Harvest
- Dry River
- Beaver Creek
- Shenandoah River
- South Fork Shenandoah River (east of our Harrisonburg shop, with access out Route 33 East to Island Ford Road or into Elkton; our float trips drift the Shenandoah)
- Paine Run
- Big Run
- Madison Run
Find Us
Mossy Creek Fly Fishing
480 East Market Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Phone: 540-434-2444
Email: store@mossycreekflyfishing.com
Shop hours: Monday – Friday 10-6, Saturday and Sunday 10-5
Request a Guided Trip or Class
Day Trip FAQ
How far is Harrisonburg from DC, Richmond, Baltimore and Roanoke?
With no traffic, the drive to our shop is about 2 hours 30 minutes from Washington, DC, about 2 hours 30 minutes from Richmond, about 3 hours 20 minutes from Baltimore and about 2 hours 10 minutes from Roanoke. These are approximate times; traffic can add more.
Can I do a guided trip as a day trip?
Yes. Half-day guided trips run 4 hours and full-day trips run 8 hours. Float trips are full day, about 8 hours.
Do I need a fishing license?
A Virginia freshwater fishing license is required for all guided trips and classes. Some trips also need a trout license, and we'll let you know when you book.
Do I need my own gear?
No. Guided trips and classes include the fly fishing gear you need, and guided trout and tenkara trips include waders and wading boots.