OUTDOORS: A little local knowledge goes a long way

By Tom Sadler Correspondent
Published: September 24, 2008

Whether you are new to an area like me, or a long-time resident, a little local knowledge can really help.

There are some excellent hunting and fishing organizations with chapters or clubs right here in the Valley. These groups are a wonderful resource to help you enjoy more success afield or introduce a new generation to the great outdoors.

When it comes to my hunting and fishing skills or help in finding better locations, I am always open to suggestions that help put more game in the game bag or fish in the cooler. Of course, the chance to introduce our kids to the outdoors is always, maybe the best, reason to get out there.

Whether it is hunting or fishing with some new friends, improving your skills or learning about some great hunting or fishing spots, these groups offer ways to improve your skills, get involved in local conservation efforts or help a kid learn about our great outdoor heritage.

One of the most active is the National Wild Turkey Federation. There are a number of chapters here in the Valley and they do a lot more than hunt turkey. According to Billy Hall, the Regional Director for Virginia, local chapters offer dove hunts, deer hunts and fishing events.

Hall points out that the NWTF also has outreach programs for the disabled, its Wheelin Sportsmen program; for women with its Women in the Outdoors program; and one the kids, the JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge in Ethics and Sportsmanship) program. In fact, the Rockbridge Chapter holds their annual JAKES event this weekend.

Trout Unlimited is known for fly-fishing, especially for trout and has a couple of chapters in the Valley. The local clubs are a great place to learn where to fish in the area. I know from personal experience that many members also fish locally for bass, sunfish and carp as well.

If you want to learn to fly fish or how to tie flies TU is a great place to start. The Shenandoah Valley Chapter meets at the Wayneboro Public Library on the third Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m.. The Massanutten Chapter meets in Harrisonburg at the Westover Park and Recreation Center the second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. Across the mountain the Thomas Jefferson Chapter meets at the University of Virginia, the last Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. The Virginia Council hosts a conservation and fishing camp for high schoolers each spring at Graves’ Mountain Lodge in Syria.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has a presence here in the valley as well. The Shenandoah Valley Chapter hosts a banquet each March. The upcoming one will be their 15th. Stuarts Draft’s Philip “Jim” Massie tells me the money raised goes to elk projects here on the east coast in Pennsylvania and Kentucky. Let me tell you haven’t heard country music until you have heard an elk bugle. To hear them east of the Mississippi is a dream come true.

The Shenandoah Valley Bass Association is affiliated with B.A.S.S/ESPN and the B.A.S.S Federation Nation of Virginia. They offer competitive tournaments and fun bass fishing outings. Both can help improve your skills as a bass angler. The SVBA meets the first Monday of the month at the Gander Mountain in Winchester. Tournament Director Cory Carter tells me they are always looking for new members.

The Izaak Walton League is known for its community-based chapters. Most chapters focus on family-oriented outdoor reaction especially hunting, fishing and the shooting sports. I have been a member for nearly ten years and served as the League’s conservation director a few years back. The IWLA has two chapters in the area.

The Staunton-Augusta Chapter meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month (April through October) at 6:30 p.m. in Lone Fountain. They have a shooting range, bow range and pond on their 140 acres property. For the last two years they have been holding a fishing day for special needs middle schoolers in the spring. Paul Bugas, the chapter’s Vice President tells me he expects it to become an annual event.

Over in Rockingham County, the Rockingham-Harrisonburg Chapter meets at its “red barn” on Lake Shenandoah. They have indoor small bore firearms and archery ranges, host a “kids fishing day” and sponsor the Annual Virginia State and Western Region Big Game Trophy Shows. The trophy show, running for 69 years, will be held at the Rockingham Fairgrounds this weekend.

When it comes to getting the kids into the great outdoors you might want to check out Hunters Helping Kids. The local Waynesboro Valley Chapter will host its banquet Friday at the Best Western in Waynesboro.

According to National Director of Chapter Development, Dennis Campbell, from Waynesboro, their goal is take kids hunting and get them involved in the great outdoors. They want to foster an appreciation for the natural world and plant the seeds of resource stewardship with tomorrow’s leaders.

The valley as a rich hunting and fishing culture. If we want to preserve it and pass it down to our children’s children then you need to be involved.

Other Upcoming Events:

National Hunting and Fishing Day is Saturday. As you can see there is a lot going on. Get out there and enjoy yourself.

Editor’s Note: Tom Sadler is an avid fly-fisherman, guide and instructor and founder of The Middle River Group, an organization that provides diverse business expertise to the conservation and wildlife management community and the hunting, fishing and shooting sports industry.

You can contact Tom Sadler by e-mail at