Here’s more about the festival:

The Virginia Fly Fishing Festival is the largest event of its kind in the country and attracts fly anglers from across the United States and the Mid-Atlantic in particular. Nowhere else can anglers learn about the quiet sport in such a beginner-friendly environment. Our unique event combines fine wine tasting, microbrewery beer, and everything you ever wanted to know about fly fishing but were afraid to ask.

The mission of the Virginia Fly Fishing & Wine Festival is to introduce as many people to the sport of fly fishing as possible, and to raise the level of awareness to the many pressing conservation issues facing Virginia. We do this believing that people, who are connected to the outdoors in their recreational activities, are more inclined to protect the natural resources they enjoy.

Bring your family, relax, take a casting class, and pick up a new sport that the entire family can enjoy. Several new classes for beginners for both adults and children have been added. We’ve also added a bourbon tasting class for adults.

The festival returned after a year hiatus. Here is a behind-the-scenes look from weekend festivities:

WATCH

The post VLOG: 2022 Virginia Fly Fishing & Wine Festival appeared first on Gabriella Hoffman.

The post VIDEO: Fly Fishing Shenandoah-Passage Creek & Orndorff’s Rainbow Trout Farm appeared first on Gabriella Hoffman.

The post WATCH: Gabby Hoffman Lands MONSTER Golden Rainbow Trout on the Fly appeared first on Gabriella Hoffman.

It was held from June 1-9, 2019. It’s largely put on to introduce new folks to fishing, boating, and the Great Outdoors. It’s perfectly timed with Great Outdoors Month, too. How awesome is that?

I’ve participated in this week since 2013-2014, just after I moved to the Washington, D.C. metro area. Most celebrations offer “Free Fishing Days” sans licenses, though I have my license. For newbies, though, this is a great introduction to the sport—especially if they catch a fish at these events. Luring in prospective anglers with “free” fishing events usually inspires people to get licenses afterwards. At minimum, it should.

Here’s what I was up to this past week:

1. I was able to learn more about boating with Yamaha Outboards in St. Michael’s, MD.

View this post on Instagram

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at @yamahaoutboards ‘ Media Event here on Maryland’s Eastern Shore! Learned A LOT about boating and was able to test some cool products and outboards. Plus, I caught and released this juvenile striper today though fishing conditions weren’t ideal. However, a fish is a fish. This is one of my favorite species to target. I loved riding a @worldcat_boats today too as it withstood and cut through some choppy waters. I’ll have an extensive report for @sportingclassicsofficial documenting the full experience very soon. Hope you’re having a good National Fishing and Boating Week, everyone! • • • @poma_hq @garminmarine @worldcat_boats @yamahaoutdoors @discoverboating #chesapeakebay #chesapeakebaylife #takemefishing #allaboutthatbass #stripedbass #striper #makingwaves #getyourfishon #tugisthedrug #whyiconserve #womenwhofish #reellove #stripedbassfishing #hookedonfishing #nationalfishingandboatingweek #greatoutdoorsmonth #mdinfocus #marylandfishing #visitmaryland #catchandrelease #fishingisconservation #fishingtrip #sportfishing #discoverboating #boating #boatinglife #yamaha #yamahaoutboards #worldcatboats #yamahafanfoto

A post shared by Gabriella Hoffman (@gabriella_hoffman) on Jun 5, 2019 at 6:51pm PDT

2. My dad and I (especially him) helped some kids catch some largemouth bass and sunfish, while I helped a friend, Neetu, land her first fish EVER in Lake Cook in Alexandria, VA.

A good day of in @AlexandriaVAGov @AlexandriaVA for #FreeFishingDays—though we have our licenses! My dad and I got a nice haul, and we taught some newbies — including my friend @neetu_chandak — how to fish. https://t.co/fe8PewkHaW #GetYourFishOn #TakeMeFishing #MakingWaves pic.twitter.com/fqA9bOTbPp

— Gabriella Hoffman (@Gabby_Hoffman) June 9, 2019

3. And I visited TakeMeFishing.org’s adorable, eye-catching “Off-The-Hook” pop-up in Burke Lake in Fairfax Station, VA. You can see where it’ll be charting to next here.

Ended #NationalFishingAndBoatingWeek at @RecBoatFish ‘s + @Take_Me_Fishing ‘s adorable #OffTheHook pop-up at Burke Lake in @fairfaxparks today. Great way to #GetYourFishOn. It’ll be coming to a city near YOU soon! https://t.co/DSjdG47Vck pic.twitter.com/Ytj3F4oihH

— Gabriella Hoffman (@Gabby_Hoffman) June 10, 2019

Marketing efforts for this week were perfectly targeted too. Corporations, non-profits, and governmental organizations all chipped in to generate enthusiasm for NFBW—to great success. Perhaps the most effect campaign was TakeMeFishing’s #GetYourFishOn hashtag.

First-hand fishing experiences do make a difference

Like most things in life, practice makes perfect.

Getting people to try fishing firsthand—from opening/closing the bail to casting to reeling in a fish—helps non-consumptive users learn all about the sport. If a new participant sees some action on their first fishing trip, chances are they will like the experience. Not that a fish catch is ever guaranteed, but it’s an added bonus when a new person gets some action early on in their fishing journey.

Even “the one that gets away” keeps newbies, particularly adult onset anglers, interested. That’s what I saw in two friends recently. My friend Matthew, who grew up near Baltimore, Maryland, had limited fishing exposure, and helped a guy net a carp at Devil’s Backbone County Park in western Maryland on Memorial Day. His enthusiasm was so contagious and palpable, as you can see in the video. He said he wants to go on more trips in the future. My friend Neetu, from upstate New York, was perfectly positioned to  reel in her first catch—a decent-sized channel catfish—at Lake Cook just outside Old Town Alexandria. She was so excited and expressed to me she wants to do this more. Mission accomplished!

That’s two friends hooked on fishing in 2019. Woohoo!

Yes, you can fish in an urban area— and with success

There’s no excuse not to go fishing–especially if you live in an urban area. In fact, many urban outposts are in very close proximity to rivers, lakes, streams, and in some cases, the ocean.

As more people descend to the cities, it’ll become increasingly evident city dwellers will try to find refuge in fishing if they haven’t already. Urban fishing spots are becoming  increasingly common; it’s just a matter of where to go, what your target species is, and what rules/regulations apply.

Here in the DC Metro area, fly fishing is very popular for Millennials—especially those who are new to the sport. Orvis Fly Fishing shops have sprouted about here, as have Mom and Pop fly angling shops. Bass Pro Shops is about an hour’s drive from DC proper in Hanover, Maryland, while the closest Cabela’s is about a 45-minute to hour drive from downtown D.C. Heck, even WALMART has a great selection on fishing tackle, rods, and reels. Chances are these stores are in your area too!

In many cities and the surrounding areas you can fish for a multitude of fish species nearby or within a few hours driving distance: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, striped bass, carp, catfish, sunfish, shad, and countless other species. You can find a similar environment in Boston and even New York City, for instance. To see what species are near your city, visit TakeMeFishing.org to see what’s biting where and to learn more about unique opportunities in your backyard.

New experiences had and important lessons reinforced

While National Fishing and Boating Week is largely catered to get new participants, it’s a chance for us seasoned anglers to polish our craft and to create some new memories too.

I haven’t done much in boating before, so when an opportunity came my way, I couldn’t pass it up. (More on my Yamaha experience will be documented at Sporting Classics Daily in the coming weeks.) In addition to getting friends or people nearby my fishing spots, especially kids, their “First Catches” or new species checked off their list, I enjoyed exploring new places to fish and new memories made.

Although my dad and I had a nice catfish haul at Lake Cook, we sadly couldn’t fry up our catches because they tasted like oil. Boo. It must have been our proximity to a nearby WMATA/Metro Station where something seeped into the water and tainted the catfish. (Or their being bottom-feeding fish added insult to injury. Yikes!) Other people have said when the trout program is in full swing, those fish are okay to eat and taste fine. Oh well. Lesson learned.

You also reinforce the idea of following rules and regulations. In both my Maryland and Virginia fishing trips this past week, I did my best to practice catch-and-release or stay within the confides of creel limits. It’s important to protect and conserve our resources so people can enjoy them for future generations.

Did this post inspire you to try fishing for the first time? Have you also introduced someone new to fishing too? Let me know!

###

What did you think of this piece? Am I on-target or off-mark?

As always, I recommend you follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube to stay in the loop with my musings. Subscribe to my newsletter–now LIVE. Chime in below with your comments!

The post 3 Key Takeaways from National Fishing and Boating Week 2019 appeared first on Gabriella Hoffman.

Avid sportswoman, angler and writer for Sporting Classics Daily, Gabriella Hoffman shares why she enjoys fishing at Locust Shade Park and Lake Ridge Marina in Prince William, VA.

“I like how close in proximity these fishing opportunities are to me in Northern Virginia. I can just hop in my car, drive down 95 or Highway 1 and boom, I’m at either of the two aforementioned locations. I’ve always been keen on finding outdoor recreation opportunities close to the city, and Prince William County certainly provides that.  It can be challenging for us city folks to get outdoors, but Northern Virginia – including PWC – is full of hidden gems close to the city.”

“I primarily target trout at Locust Shade Park during the winter and have targeted panfish and catfish in Lake Ridge Marina,” shares Hoffman.

The post [Media Mention] The Insiders Guide to Fishing Spots in Prince William, VA appeared first on Gabriella Hoffman.

It’s hard to deny fishing is one of the most popular outdoor activities in existence. Social media users actively post and brag about their fishing catches on social media platforms. On Instagram, for instance, the fishing hashtag has been used over 25 million times.

Although the fishing industry’s future is very promising, could it use a boost from social media platforms? Indeed, technology can certainly help to bring more anglers into the fold.

Meet the Fishbrain App— created by the world’s most popular sportfishing mobile-app and social media company in Stockholm, Sweden.

Continue reading at Sporting Classics Daily. 

###

What did you think of this piece? Am I on-target or off-mark?

As always, I recommend you follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube to stay in the loop with my musings. Subscribe to my newsletter–now LIVE. Chime in below with your comments!

The post Sporting Classics Daily: The App Aiming to Hook More People on Fishing appeared first on Gabriella Hoffman.

We talked about how conservatives and Republicans must partake in the conversation about true conservation while still advancing our political goals and how to find coexistence. We also discussed the importance of hunters looking to gun owners for inspiration as it relates to fending off dangerous legislation that subtracts from the hunting lifestyle.

LISTEN HERE. The appearance starts at the 18:28 mark. Here’s more on Stacy Washington:

Stacy Washington is the host of the nationally syndicated Stacy on the Right Show, broadcast on Urban Family Talk and American Family Radio weekdays from 2 – 4pm Central out of St. Louis Missouri.  Stacy is the co-chairwoman of the Project 21 National Advisory Council of the National Center for Public Policy Research.  Stacy is an Emmy Nominated TV personality and Air Force Veteran.

Follow Stacy on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

###

What did you think of this piece? Am I on-target or off-mark?

As always, I recommend you follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube to stay in the loop with my musings. Subscribe to my newsletter–now LIVE. Chime in below with your comments!

The post [MEDIA APPEARANCE] Stacy on the Right Show — March 13, 2019 appeared first on Gabriella Hoffman.

The post EP 19 | District Of Conservation: 2019 Virginia Fly Fishing & Wine Festival Recap and Interviews appeared first on Gabriella Hoffman.

I’ve made it known that I’m dipping more into fly fishing, a graduation from cast and spin bait, you could say (but not abandonment). I just want to become more versatile in my fishing skillset.

I have gone fly fishing on two occasions—with my first trip producing my first rainbow trout on the fly in April 2017 at the Orvis 101 School at Rose River Farm. Moreover, I fished for trout and lost a big one back in November on a Powerbait-looking fly, but was able to practice my forward and roll casting more. It’s an adjustment.

You can learn more about the festival by watching this video:

This festival is being touted as the premiere fly fishing festival and the most widely-attended of them all. People are expecting to be traveling from as far north as New York and as far south as Florida. Interested attendees can also sign up for customized fly fishing seminars throughout the weekend.

I’ll be covering the festival as press for Sporting Classics AND doing some quick interviews for District of Conservation.

Tickets to the festival are $20 for adults and FREE for kids. Tickets include wine tastings from wineries from around the Commonwealth of Virginia. Learn more about the festival at www.vaflyfishingfestival.com and purchase your tickets here. Check out the festival schedule and sign up for classes.

Tight lines, everybody!

###

Follow me on social media to not miss a beat: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

SUBSCRIBE to my weekly newsletter to get all content in your Inbox every Monday.

Want to work together this year? Let’s get in touch. At minimum, I’m available for paid consultations.

The post I’ll Be at the Virginia Fly Fishing and Wine Festival This Weekend. Will You? appeared first on Gabriella Hoffman.

Below is EP 8:

Here’s the gist:

• Erin discussed being a Virginia transplant and the challenges that arise with finding sporting opportunities
• Erin discussed the rapid growth of Raise ‘Em Outdoors and previewed what’s to come in 2019
• Erin discussed the importance of getting more kids, especially newbies, fishing, hunting, archery, crafts, and more
• Erin told the tale of her son being ostracized by his kindergarten teacher for liking hunting and the conservation that’ll likely come out of that
• Erin and I discussed social media influencing the outdoor industry and why we love apps like GoWild
• Erin discussed some upcoming hunting opportunities coming up

Learn more at www.RaiseEmOutdoors.com

Donate gear/tackle/apparel to REO here: www.raiseemoutdoors.com/checkout/donate?donatePageId=58c1ba2c20099ecd41e1175f

Follow Erin on Instagram: www.instagram.com/erin_crooks_/

Follow REO on social media: 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/raiseemoutdoors/

Twitter: twitter.com/RaiseEmOutdoors

Instagram: www.instagram.com/raiseemoutdoors/

Follow District of Conservation on the following social media platforms: 

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

Hear District of Conservation on the following platforms: 

Anchor | Apple iTunes | Breaker | CastBox | Google Podcasts |

Overcast |Pocket Casts | Radio Public | Spotify | Stitcher |

###

What did you think of this piece? Am I on-target or off-mark?

As always, I recommend you follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube to stay in the loop with my musings. Subscribe to my newsletter–now LIVE. Chime in below with your comments!

The post EP8 | District Of Conservation: Erin Crooks of Raise ‘Em Outdoors appeared first on Gabriella Hoffman.