CENTRAL VIRGINIA’S
Premier Fly Fishing Guide Service
The James River begins in the Appalachian Mountains at the confluence of the Jackson and Cowpasture rivers and flows 348 miles to the Chesapeake Bay. CVA Fly Fishing focuses on the beginning of the James all the way through Bent Creek, VA where the James River is renowned as one of the premier Smallmouth Bass and Muskellunge (Musky) fisheries on the east coast.
Colton Ott, the owner of CVA Fly Fishing, started fishing and floating the James River when he was 7 years old with his grandfather and immediately knew he wanted to spend his life fishing and sharing this incredible fishery with other likeminded fishing addicts. Over the past 20+ years Colton has studied and learned this fishery like the back of his hand and truly enjoys sharing his knowledge with others. Book your trip today and experience this truly amazing river the way it was meant to be, with a rod and reel.
Jackson River Tailwaters
The Jackson River rises in Highland County, Virginia, near the border of West Virginia. It flows south between Back Creek Mountain and Jack Mountain, entering Bath County, where it continues to flow south. The Jackson River is impounded by Gathright Dam in Alleghany County, creating Lake Moomaw. The Jackson River Tailwaters flow from the bottom of Lake Moomaw through the Gathright Dam and proceed south and then east through Alleghany County, through the city of Covington and the town of Clifton Forge, before joining with the Cowpasture River to create the James River.
While the Jackson tailwater can be waded, there are many odd land ownership laws that can prevent people from fishing this incredible trout stream. Our guides know the laws well, and can take you on an unforgettable trip down this incredible fishery…there is no better way to experience the year-round Jackson River Tailwater opportunity than by drift boat.
The tailwater outflow from Gathright Dam has created an incredible 18-mile wild brown and rainbow trout fishery nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Throughout the year fishing tactics change seemingly overnight and our guides are well versed in these changes in tactics. Early springs tends to lend towards incredible streamer fishing in the pursuit of hunting large aggressive browns. Nymphing typically is very effective year around for rainbows and occasional brown trout, and late summer early fall is fantastic hopper fishing.
We Also Sell Gift Certificates.
Give the gift of a great day on the river.
All of our guided trips on the Jackson River or James River are $450 for 1 to 2 people. All needed gear is supplied and includes a riverside lunch.
