Rose River Farm

So LS has been trying to get me to fish this place called Rose River Farms down in VA. I'm
down, but my bank account isn't with us settling on our new house this month and having a
baby in April. I want to hit it up this upcoming Spring,once the dust has settled. But here is a
little info for y'all on what Rose River Farm (which, by the way, is Orvis Endorsed) is and what its all about...

Your Host

From the beginning an important aspect of the Farm has been sharing it. The Farm is regularly 
donated for use by groups such as Project Healing Waters, Casting For Recovery, Trout Unlimited's 
Youth Conservation Camp, The Boys and Girls Club and the Boy Scouts of America. We also 
support charitable groups such as Costal Conservation Association, Trout Unlimited, Federation of 
Fly Fishers, Wild Turkey Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Young Life and many others. In 2011 The 
Farm was named the National Home Waters of Project Healing Waters to commemorate the 5th 
Annual 2-Fly Tournament held at the Farm. Also in 2011 Douglas was recognized as a national 
LL Bean Outdoor Hero for his work as Chairman of the Board of Project Healing Waters.

The concept of the Farm was conceived by Douglas Dear who has been an avid fly fisherman, bird 
hunter and outdoorsman most of his life. He and his wife Jennifer and their two boys purchased the 
land nearly ten years ago and transformed it into what it is today. Douglas, a former real estate 
investment banking executive, who is now a private investor and outdoor writer, saw the need for a 
fly fishing getaway that was close to Washington, DC but offered an uncrowded fly fishing 
experience that was similar to the fishing he traveled to Colorado and Montana to enjoy. A fly fishing 
trip to Patagonia prompted the addition of rental cabins to the Farm. The first class luxury cabins, in 
the style of modern day Mongolian Yurts, were completed in 2011.

Some of the luckiest trout in America

Rose River Farm is a working Black Angus cattle operation with extensive peach orchards, hay fields 

and wildlife habitat. All of our farming operations are conducted in environmentally sensitive ways 

so as to keep the land pristine for generations to come. Our stretch of the river is some of the purest 

water in the State of Virginia. It is regularly tested for both water quality and aquatic insect 

populations. The natural fish food is abundant and the fish grow fast! With strict catch and gentle 

release fishing our trout population stays strong year round.

Four types of trout

We have four types of trout on the Farm: Wild Rose Rainbows, Wild Brook Trout, Wild Brown 
Trout and Stocked Jumbo Rainbows. The jumbo Rainbows are the most prevalent species but the 
other trout species are always a treat. All of these fish are beautiful and provide excellent dry fly and 
nymph fishing. We like to fish 4 or 5 weight rods with dry flys dependent on the time of year. In 
the fall, hoppers, crickets and ants are all effective. As well as orange or yellow stimulators. Sizes 
12-16 are typical. In the winter black stone flys and trico patterns in sizes 16-22 are strong producers. 
In the spring stimulators and caddis are good bets along with the same terrestrials we use in the fall 
(usually in small sizes). We also find that nymphs can be very effective all year long and often fish a 
dry dropper rig. Of course streamer patterns can catch some big fish too-- we like woolly buggers in 
black, olive, peach and white. We recommend 5X tippet and 7 to 9 foot leaders.

The finest fly fishing in Piedmont Virginia

We believe we have put together the Piedmont's finest fishing experience. Come try it out. With very 

wadeable water the Farm is perfect for beginners, children (fly fishing only please) as well as the 

experienced angler. I have literally fished every major and many minor rivers in the West and can say 

without hesitation that the Rose River Farm has some of the best scenery combined with high quality 

trout fishing you will find anywhere. With our new luxury cabins you now have an opportunity to 

spend the night and have the perfect Virginia fly fishing vacation.

            

RRF has this cool online Fishing Reservation System that basically allows up to 5 anglers on 

the stream on one given day. I appreciate this not only because I hate heavy pressure, but it 

keeps it quaint. Check RRF out on Facebook and make your reservation today on their site. 

You can check out their site for some of their other offerings as well including Wine and Beef 

and their luxury cabin rentals. RRF is definitely in my future.

Boom...Morgan