An Insider’s Knowledge
Beau Beasley has fished the waters of the Old Dominion since early childhood and knows them as only a native can. His insider’s knowledge of Virginia ranges from the mountain brook trout streams of the Shenandoah National Park to the salty windswept shores of the Chesapeake Bay. Although he’s pursued trout on Montana’s Bighorn River, landed every species of salmon in Alaska, and successfully brought to hand five-pound brook trout in Labrador, his first love is still fishing poppers on a Virginia farm pond.
Beau has garnered multiple awards for his articles covering conservation of such diverse species as menhaden and bonefish. He has distinguished himself as a thorough, impartial investigative journalist covering thorny issues like public sporting access to local waters and lands. His writing has appeared in numerous regional and national publications. Beau serves as the Director of the Virginia Fly Fishing & Wine Festival and the Texas Fly Fishing & Brew Festival.
Fishing Festivals
Virginia Fly Fishing & Wine Festival
January 14-15, 2023
Meadow Event Park, Doswell (Hanover County)
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.
Texas Fly Fishing & Brew Festival
February 25-26, 2023
Mesquite Convention Center (Dallas–Fort Worth)
At this indoor/outdoor venue attendees can check out a myriad of fly fishing manufacturers, attend lectures on techniques and topics of interest to fly anglers of every stripe, and taste some of the Lone Star State’s best microbrewed beer. Meet nationally known fly fishing authors, professional guides, expert casters, custom bamboo rodmakers, and fly tyers from across the country – all at the Texas Fly & Brew. Don’t know much about fly fishing? Let us introduce you to this great outdoor sport.
Special Consulting
As an event organizer who specializes in fly fishing retail festivals, I am often contacted for advice. Groups that have reached out to me for help range from small clubs, to state and country tourism agencies seeking my advice. If you’re putting on a similar event and want to hire me to do some consulting for you, please feel free to reach out to me. Pricing is based on services needed, and any travel that might be required.
If you’re a non-profit seeking help, I will work with you to make my services affordable. Please keep in mind however that I have been in the fly fishing space for more than 30 years, and managed fly fishing events for nearly that long as well. As a result, my experience has been hard earned and I there for do charge for my consulting services. I will gladly speak preliminary at you however at no charge to assess your needs.
Inspiration to Writing
Thank you for visiting my site. If you’re here, you’re probably interested in learning more about the quiet sport of fly fishing. I became involved in the sport relatively late in life: Bob Guess, a genuine Southern gentleman and one of the best-known popping bug makers in the country, introduced me to fly fishing when I was in my late 20s. Indeed, I wrote my very first article about Mr. Bob’s fantastic popping bugs—and I’ve been writing ever since. Who could’ve guessed that a fishing trip would spawn a passion that has taken me all over the country and into Canada chasing both fish and feature stories?
My work has appeared in Fly Fisherman, Trout, American Angler, and other publications.