This past weekend, Brian and Colby Trow invited me to participate in an open house celebrating their 10^th year in business. It as a bit of a squeeze between trips to Argentina and Germany, but it was very fun squeeze. My only regret is that I didn’t have time to fish for a few days. Their shop, Mossy Creek Fly Fishing is located in Harrisonburg in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of southwestern Virginia. They have a wide range of fishing opportunities locally—muskies, bass (both LM and SM), and trout in everything from major rivers to spring creeks, to tiny mountain rivulets. They fish everything from Tenkara to “0” weight rods to 12 weight sticks. And their great shop reflects it. For more, go here.

The day opened at 9 with coffee and donuts and plenty of good old fashioned jaw-boning about fish won and lost; there was also some time to show the Nailless Nail Knot and some others, using rope kits to enhance the leaning process. Then at 10 am, I offered a Power Point presentation on “Really Matching the Hatch.” Following a Q & A session, there was book signing and more discussions of fishing. Dusty Wissmath then offered a program on “Fishing the Greater Yellowstone Area.” It was likewise well-attended and offered great info on this Mecca of US fly fishing. Lunch for all at the shop was an informal affair—grab it as you can—with excellent smoked, pulled pork—lots and lots of it—along with potato salad, slaw, drinks, and more.

During my earlier talk, a number of attendees asked about a variety of casting tactics, and so, right after lunch, we were out on the paved area in back of the shop discussing a host of casting and mending tactics from Wrist Casting, through Arm-Assisted Wrist Casting, to Arm Casting and the Elliptical Stroke, and more, with all the nuances and uses of each. Curves, mends, shooting line, the details of Double Haul, and much more followed.

From there we launched into another Power Point discussion on “Presentaion.” Again this was followed with a great Q&A session, book signing, and talking, talking, talking. We finished the day with a fly tying session that ended at 6 pm, offering designs such as the Down and Dirty Sculpin, Elk Hair Skater, Collared Leech with a feather dubbing body, and others.

It was a great day for all involved, and the gracious hosting of Brian and Colby and their families gave the event a very special “down home,” feeling. Thanks guys!

Friday evening before the big event was “all hands on deck” getting shop ready.

The shop has a really fine selection of f tying materials laid out in a very orderly manner.

The other half of the fly tying materials–I told you there were a lot of them.

The new reel case that was built by Brian and Colby’s dad, Tommy. A great display. It was installed during the shop prep on Friday evening.