Harrisonburg, Virginia Fly Fishing School - 1 Day Dates

Learn to fly fish at our Virginia fly fishing school

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Harrisonburg, Virginia Fly Fishing School - 1 Day Dates

Learn to fly fish at our Virginia fly fishing school

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Type: 1-Day School
$339
Per Person
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Harrisonburg, Virginia Fly Fishing School


Phone icon866-531-6213 Email iconschools@orvis.com
Item #10PH2119

The Story

The Orvis Virginia Fly Fishing School is hosted by Mossy Creek Fly Fishing in Harrisonburg in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. Our expert instructors help with everything from setting up the rod, to fly selection and knots, to how to safely release your fish. Classes are held in our historic retail store and on our private section of Smith Creek. After the school, students can book a guided trip with Mossy Creek's Orvis-Endorsed Guides in the nearby George Washington National Forest and Shenandoah National Park.

You'll cover it all at the Harrisonburg, Virginia Fly Fishing School:

  • Fly casting techniques
  • Essential fly fishing knots
  • How to choose your gear and tackle
  • Stream entomology (the science of insects)
  • Proper fly selection
  • How to read water and currents
  • How to play, land, and safely release fish

Cancellation Policy & Fees

If the reservation is cancelled 60+ days from your school date, Orvis will offer a full refund back the Original method of payment, or the reservation can be transferred to another available school. If the reservation is cancelled 30-60 days from the date of the school, the customer will have a choice between a refund of 50% or transferring the reservation to another available school. On cancellations 29 days or less there is no refund and no transfer. There will be no refund extended to students who do not attend their scheduled school and do not notify the school within the timeframes listed in this policy. Any reservation that has been transferred to a different date cannot be later cancelled without 100% payment penalty.

For questions please contact Orvis Schools & Reservations (toll free) at 866-531-6213.

Orvis is pleased to offer our travel customers access to two valuable services: Global Rescue travel membership and IMG Signature Travel Insurance℠.

Learn More

9:00 AM Student registration at Mossy Creek Fly Fishing
9:30 AM Classroom: Introduction and Program Overview
9:45 AM Classroom presentation: The Orvis Progressive Method to Fly Casting Video
10:00 AM Rainbow Trout Group – Report to Casting Grounds for demonstration on basic casting stroke; students casting.

Brown Trout Group – Classroom presentation on Tackle and Flies.
11:00 AM Groups switch
12:30 PM Catered Lunch (included) with video: Blood Knot
1:00 PM Classroom presentation – Knot tying seminar. Discussion on leaders, hand-on knot tying.
1:30 PM Students caravan to Smith Creek.
2:15 PM Casting: Demonstration on shooting line, false casting, and roll casting; students casting.
3:15 PM Demonstration on hook-setting and fish fighting techniques.
3:30 PM Fishing on Smith Creek – Talk on reading water. Demonstration on fishing flies in moving water; students fishing.
5:00 PM Return to Mossy Creek Fly Fishing for closing statements and graduation certificates.
5:30 PM End of school
1-Day Schools For 2026
March 7 Saturday
  11 Wednesday
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April 8 Wednesday
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May 6 Wednesday
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June 6 Saturday
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September 2 Wednesday
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October 3 Saturday
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November 7 Saturday
  11 Wednesday

Please contact the Hotel Madison & Shenandoah Valley Conference Center for lodging and reservations.

Hotel Madison & Shenandoah Valley Conference Center

710 S. Main Street
Harrisonburg, Va. 22801
540-564-0200
hotelmadison.com

Please mention you will be attending the Orvis Fly Fishing School

Do I need to buy a fishing license?

Yes. Students can purchase a fishing license when they arrive.


Is there an age requirement for this school?

Yes, students must be 12 years of age or older to attend the 1-day and 2-day fly fishing schools. For students 12 and younger we recommend our 2-Day Parent-Child Fly Fishing School.


What is the best time of year to attend?

There is no “best time” to learn fly casting. The school season is typically taught during the nicest part of the year weather-wise and will coincide with seasonal hatches.


How much time is spent in the classroom vs. casting?

While there is classroom time, majority of the school is spent outside casting with instructors, see Itinerary tab.


What time does school start and end and what will be doing during the day?

See Itinerary tab.


Does the school include fishing?

Towards the end of the school, students will head out to one of our stretches of private spring creek for a discussion on reading water, learning how to fish flies in current, and time for the students to fishing.


What is included in the price of the school?

Cost includes all instruction, lunch, and the use of Orvis rod outfits.


Can you bring your own equipment?

Yes, but not required.


What should I wear?

Students should dress according to weather. We recommend wearing Quick-Dry and DriCast tops and bottoms. Please plan to layer during cooler months with long sleeve shirts and a vest. The grounds around the casting areas can become damp, especially in the morning and recommend wearing comfortable waterproof shoes or hiking boots.


What do I need to bring?

Students will need to bring rain gear, polarized sunglasses, hat, and sunblock.


Is lodging included?

No. Lodging arrangements are made separately by the students. See Lodging tab for recommendations.


Are meals included?

Lunch is the only meal included in the cost of the school.


How many people will be in the class?

8 students, always with a ratio of one instructor for every four students.


Do we stop school because of weather?

No, unless there are dangerous conditions. We ask that students bring rain gear.


Is this class for intermediate anglers?

Yes. In casting, we adjust our instruction to the individual student’s level.


What is the cancellation policy?

See Cancellation Policy & Fees under SPECS.


Will I be able to attend the same class as my friend or family member, even though I am an intermediate and they are a beginner?

Yes. In casting, we adjust our instruction to the individual student’s level.


Are there opportunities for guided fishing afterwards?

Yes. Please visit the Mossy Creek Fly Fishing website for rates, availability, and booking.

Note: Guided trips are subject to availability and typically book up to 3 to 6 months in advance. We recommend booking very early for the best possible dates.


What is the nearest Airport?

  • 16 miles: Staunton, VA (SHD / KSHD) Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport
  • 47 miles: Charlottesville, VA (CHO / KCHO) Charlottesville Albemarle Airport
  • 109 miles: Roanoke, VA (ROA) Roanoke-Blacksburg Airport
  • 117 miles: Dulles, VA (IAD / KIAD) Washington Dulles International Airport

What is the nearest major city?

  • Charlottesville, VA- 30 miles
  • Roanoke, VA – 109 miles
  • Richmond, VA – 129 miles
  • Washington, D.C. – 132 miles

Where is the school located?

Mossy Creek Fly Shop
480 E Market St
Harrisonburg, VA 22801


Who do I contact if I need to cancel?

Please contact Orvis Schools & Reservations (toll free) at 866-531-6213 Mon-Fri 9 AM-5 PM ET or by emailing us at schools@orvis.com.

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