Author Archives: Kris

John Hayes

August Meeting — John Hayes

John Hayes, a guide with Mark Kovach Fishing Services, will speak to us about Knots and Fishing Decision Making. He will discuss how to maximize your catch rate through the right knots, rigging, and tackle, as well as sharing fishing stories about the Upper Potomac River.

  • Where: Vienna Fire Station, 400 Center St South, Vienna, VA 22180
  • When: Wednesday, August 29, 2018 at 7:30 pm (doors open at 7:00 for socializing)
John Hayes

John Hayes

About John Haynes

John has been guiding on the Potomac since 1993 and enjoys teaching clients the finer points of finding and catching fish. John is equipped to guide and talk about both spin and fly fishing — he is a certified fly casting instructor.

John’s endless pursuit of the smallmouth bass and a love of flowing water fuels his desire to share experiences with other anglers. Fly or spin fishing combined with instructional gab, good food, and a fine cigar make for a special day on the river. Join us for what promises to be a very informative evening.

Learn to be a Conservation Advocate

Do you love to fish, hunt, paddle, hike, or otherwise recreate in the outdoors? Do you worry that outdoor recreation might be at risk from environmental harms and mismanagement? Are you unsure about how to get involved and make a difference?

Then learn to be a conservation advocate at this event hosted by the National Wildlife Federation and Virginia Conservation Network.

  • Where: Front Royal Brewing Company; 122 E Main St, Front Royal, VA 22630
  • When: Wednesday, August 15th, from 5:30-7:00 PM

July Meeting – Bruce Ingram

Author, sportsman, photographer, and conservationist Bruce Ingram will share his knowledge of fishing for smallmouth bass. He will cover the 10 best float trips in Virginia with pictures of each section. He also will talk about his opportunity to update the state’s float guides on the James, New, Shenandoah, and Rappahannock Rivers, and what he learned from doing so. Bruce will be available to answer questions, and we will have the opportunity to purchase signed copies of Bruce’s books.

  • WhereVienna Fire Station, 400 Center St South, Vienna, VA 22180
  • When: July 25, 2018 at 7:30 pm (doors open at 7:00 for socializing)
Bruce Ingram

Bruce Ingram

About Bruce Ingram

When not teaching English and Creative Writing in the Botetourt County, VA school system, Bruce spends much of his time fishing, hunting, birding, doing habitat improvement projects on his land, and enjoying the great outdoors.

Bruce has been an outdoor writer/photographer since 1983. His extensive knowledge is reflected in the many books he has published, including the James River Guide, New River Guide, The Shenandoah and Rappahannock Rivers Guide, and The South Branch and Upper Potomac Rivers Guide. These books cover a wide range of float trips available on these rivers, plus information on access points, rapids, fishing hot spots, and trip planning. Basically, paragraph by paragraph, mile by mile, Bruce takes you on a trip down these rivers, so that when you go on your own trips, you will have a safe, productive fishing experience.

His book, Fly and Spin Fishing for River Smallmouths, covers how to catch smallmouth on fly and spinning rods throughout the year, plus such topics as conservation easements, riparian zone creation/protection, taking kids fishing, canoe camping, birding by canoe, and much more.

Bruce and his wife Elaine recently co-wrote a book titled Living the Locavore Lifestyle, about ways to live a sustainable lifestyle by hunting and fishing for food, gathering wild fruits and nuts, and raising a garden, chickens, and fruit trees. It also contains a number of essays on the joys of hunting and fishing.

His latest book, Tenth Grade Angst is a Young Adult fiction novel.  It is the sequel to his first YA novel, Ninth Grade Blues. Bruce’s publisher has ordered the third book in the series, Eleventh Grade Stress which he is currently writing.

In addition to his books, Bruce has also placed nearly 2,400 articles in magazines and some 3,000 photos. He regularly writes for such magazines as Virginia Wildlife, Wildlife in North Carolina, Whitetail Times, Turkey Country, Outdoor America, Quality Whitetails, Game and Fish Publications, and many others. The Outdoor Writers Association of America has honored Bruce with seven writing awards. The Blue Ridge Land Conservancy honored  Bruce and his wife Elaine as their Land Savers of the Year in 2014. The couple has placed 442 acres under conservation easements. That acreage is in the James and New watersheds. They also have cooking columns for the Virginia Deer Hunters’ Association and the Quality Deer Management Association.

You can learn more about Bruce Ingram, as well as purchase his books, by visiting his website. You can follow him on Facebook.