Full Service Guiding and Instruction
South River Fly Shop is proud to offer full service guiding and instruction.
Our Virginia fly fishing guides have created a variety of packages to suit your budget, preferences and needs. Review the options below, and when you’re ready, contact us to book your spot.
Our days fill up fast during peak season, so please plan accordingly.
- 1/2 day 1 or 2 ($375)
- Full day 1 angler ($425)
- Full day 2 anglers ($475)
- Smallmouth
- Lunch Included
- James Info
- Shenandoah Info
GUIDED TRIP CANCELLATION POLICY
Deposit is nonrefundable if trip is cancelled 14 days or less from date scheduled for trip. Rescheduling will be offered for cancellations 7-14 days out but a refund of the deposit will not be offered. Trips cancelled 6 days out or less forfeit the deposit. Any trips cancelled by the South River Fly Shop due to weather or water conditions will be refunded in full unless the client prefers to reschedule.
Our Virginia Fly Fishing Guides
John Waller
John is a native of Lynchburg where he started fly fishing in his early twenties. John spent his early years fly fishing exploring the trout and warm water fisheries of central and western Virginia. In 2016 John moved to Waynesboro where he soon started working part time at South River Fly Shop. Smallmouth bass, stripers, carp and other warm water fish are his favorite pursuits, but he is just at home on any trout stream. John specializes in our float trips for Smallmouth Bass and our Jackson River Trout Floats.
Reed Cranford
Reed grew up fishing for all things warm water near the small town of Ramseur in central North Carolina and began tournament bass fishing in Junior High and High School. While attending Appalachian State University in the late nineties he developed a life-long love of fly fishing for trout. After graduation with a degree in Environmental Biology and Ecology he was soon married to his wife April and began working as an Environmental Health Specialist for the state of North Carolina. In 2008 April completed her Master Divinity Degree and they moved to the Waynesboro area where she is currently the Pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church and Reed settled in as an Environmental Health Specialist with the Virginia Department of Health. Reed spent the next few years exploring the trout waters on the South River and began guiding here at South River Fly Shop in the spring of 2014. Reed is also an active member of the Shenandoah Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Reed’s specialty is our South River trips and our hike in trips for native Brook Trout in the National Park and National Forest.
Tommy Lawhorne
Tommy has been exploring the waters of western Virginia for Trout and Smallmouth Bass with fly rod in hand since his early teens. Tommy began guiding in 1990 and has been active in Trout Unlimited at the Shenandoah Valley Chapter since 1992 where he currently serves as the Chapter President. Tommy and his partner Kevin Little opened South River Fly Shop in the spring of 2011 and have been serving the needs of fly fishers and fly tyers for the past 10 years. Tommy is a Wilderness First Aid certified M.E.D.I.C and guides for Trout and Smallmouth on all of our local waters when his shop schedule permits.
Kevin Little
Kevin is a native of West Virginia and started fly fishing at a young age there. A brief stint guiding while attending Marshall University ended when he transferred from the Army Reserves to the Air Force, where he served in Greece, Turkey, Germany, and North Dakota. After returning to civilian life, the wanderlust stayed with him. He has guided in West Virginia, Alaska, Montana, Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, Maine, and Virginia. An avid cyclist and bikepacker, during the warmer months he focuses on Brook trout in the Shenandoah National Park and the Washington and Jefferson National Forests. Once the weather cools off, it is time for spey casting to trout, salmon, and his favorite salmonid, Steelhead. As Co-Owner of the South River Fly Shop, he has less time to guide nowadays but still runs some of the back country Brook trout trips along with spey casting instruction and guiding trout spey trips in the area.
Hunter Wilson
Hunter grew up in Nelson County where he spent most of his childhood fishing for Largemouth Bass with his grandparents. He began fly fishing in his early teens and became a regular at South River Fly Shop. In 2015 he moved to Augusta County and began exploring the native Brook trout streams of the Shenandoah Valley and Alleghany mountains. Hunter is an avid trout angler and when not guiding he is out chasing Native Brook trout and wild trout on the Jackson River tailwater.
Dylan Parris
Dylan Parris is a Virginia native, and a fly fisherman of 15 years. He has spent most of his time in the mountains chasing native brook trout, and traveling the country fishing as much as possible. Dylan is a well versed fisherman in almost all fly fishing techniques including dry flies, nymphing, streamers, and euro nymphing. He is an incredibly outgoing, friendly, and accommodating guide who wants to provide a memorable and enjoyable experience for all anglers. A great teacher who has brought many new faces in to the art of fly fishing and will be sure to guide you along the way into an amazing day!