S6, Ep 15: Southwest Virginia Fishing Report with Matt Reilly
Dive into the dynamic world of fly fishing with Marvin Cash and Matt Reilly in this engaging episode of The Articulate Fly. As Marvin returns from a marathon of fly fishing shows, he catches up with Matt, who shares his own experience from the Cincinnati event.
The duo discusses the peculiarities of the current winter season in Southwest Virginia, with its mix of freezing temperatures and sudden warm spells. They ponder the impact of these fluctuations on the pre-spawn activities of smallmouth bass and the onset of the musky spawning season.
Matt tackles Michael Smith's question about the role of lunar phases in musky fishing. While acknowledging that many anglers have noted correlations between moon phases and fish activity, Matt emphasizes that environmental and weather conditions still take precedence. He advises anglers to be aware of lunar windows but not to let them dictate their fishing schedule. Instead, they should focus on optimizing every opportunity to fish, regardless of the moon's influence.
Marvin concludes the episode by encouraging listeners to attend nearby fly fishing shows, enjoy the camaraderie of the community and either tie flies or venture out for a catch, depending on the weather. And remember, if you have questions or want to join the conversation, reach out to The Articulate Fly. Your question might just earn you some swag and a chance to win cool prizes from Matt at the end of the season. So gear up, stay warm and, as always, tight lines!
To learn more about Matt, check out our full length interview.
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Matt Reilly
Guide | Fly Tier | Outdoor Writer
Matt grew up stomping around the warm water creeks and rivers of his native central Virginia, just a stone's throw from the James River. He's been blessed with a great many mentors, including his father, who introduced him to fishing before the age of two.
In his teenage years, Matt took his first professional venture into the outdoor industry as a freelance writer and photographer, and soon secured a weekly outdoor column in The Daily Progress' Rural Virginian.
After heading south for college and falling in love with the fisheries of southwest Virginia, Matt established his guide service in 2018. Today, he is a father, husband, USCG-licensed captain, and a leading fishing guide specializing in smallmouth bass, musky, and other predatory game fish. He speaks regularly on a range of topics. His writing has appeared in several national and regional publications like Eastern Fly Fishing, American Angler, Fly Tyer, Southern Trout, Hatch Magazine, and Virginia Wildlife. He is also an ambassador for Reilly Rod Crafters, a producer of premium fly rods based in Virginia.
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