Firefighter’s Hobby Turns Into a Reel Book: Fly Fishing in Virginia

by Mike Hall, Mar 1, 2009

Beau Beasley, Fire Fighters Local 2068

Beau Beasley spends his work days in his Fairfax County, Va., firehouse, where he and his fellow Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 2068 members spring into action at the sound of the alarm to douse a blazing home or tend to injured accident victims.

It’s no wonder that after a  0-60 mph, start-and-stop workweek, Beasley might be looking for a change of pace. He finds that alternative universe in a stream or river with a fly rod in his hand.

The 25-year fire-fighting veteran says he began fly fishing after a patient he was transporting to the hospital offered to teach him how.

It has brought thousands of hours of enjoyment to my life.

In the years since, Beasley has become so adept at the art of fly fishing—far more complicated than throwing a worm, a hook and a line into the water—he is now a respected author and expert on fly fishing.

His most recent project is the just-published Fly Fishing Virginia: A No Nonsense Guide to Top Waters. Beasley says the book

covers more than 35 fly fishing locations across Virginia. It provides great maps and details on what to expect at each location.

A customer review on Amazon.com calls Beasley’s book a

…perfect balance of basic “guidebook” information—where-to and how-to items—with pertinent information about the waters covered. An excellent sampling of the major fresh and saltwater fisheries (creek/river/lake/bay) is presented. Moreover, it is wonderfully designed and illustrated with beautiful color photography.

In addition to the new book, Beasley, a member of the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA), has published articles on fishing in several outdoors magazines and contributes online columns to USA, the fishing, hunting and outdoors club for union members. Click here to read his most recent column, “Fishing Like a Fire Fighter.”

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