Richard Formato

Richard Formato is an avid catch-and-release fly-fisherman from Wytheville, Va. When not on the water, he operates a small business there. Formato loves to fly-fish in his native Southwest Virginia because of the great water and wonderful people. He also loves to fish the flats and shallows of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic whenever work and weather permit. He is on the Department of Conservation and Recreation's board of directors and is a trustee of the Shenandoah National Forest and Skyline Drive.

Recent columns

• What about Bob?
• Notes from the Charlotte Fly Show
• A chance meeting
• A wish for Jack

• Column archive
• Talk fly-fishing

When I bought my cabin in Craig County about 14 years ago, I was introduced to a man with whom all the local sportsman hunted and fished -- and liked immensely.

His name is J. Wysor Smith.

Wysor Smith and his family own White Oak Springs, a family encampment on 600 acres in Craig County.

I also remember when I entered Wysor’s property for the first time.

Nondescript from the road, and meant to be that way, you know the minute you turn in the steel gates that unless you are a member of the hunt club or know Wysor, you better back out. Now.

The long drive inclines through tall oaks and takes you over spring creeks to a turnaround at a cabin fronting a huge, luminous spring-fed pond.

Only upon pre-arrangement does Wysor avail his property to Orvis or other local guides for fly-fishing instruction.

Framed by rhododendron on the outside, the cabin is unbelievable on the inside.

A masterpiece of hand-hewn millwork focused with a huge rock fireplace, Wysor’s retreat has the authentic semblance of a 1960’s Field and Stream magazine.

Emanating the aroma wood smoke, it’s like an old tweed jacket worn by a wing shooter toting a Holland and Holland shot gun, toting a flask of 12-year-old scotch in his suede vestment.

What always catches my eye is the gigantic bass over the mantel, book-ended by two huge bucks on the wall.

What I also can’t overlook is the framed picture of Wysor’s son, Joe, a former Alaskan fly-fishing guide, who is holding an enormous Steelhead trout.

Wysor is the archetypal Virginia sportsman. Passionate about ruffled grouse, more passionate about fly-fishing.

It is has taken me a while to befriend Wysor.

First of all, he is hard as Hades to get a hold of.

Once you get to know him, you will be instantly taken in by his playful personality.

He seems to always be in a good mood, yet knowing him well now, he is candid about his own failings, and self-deprecating about his own successes, of which he has many.

Getting to fly-fish with him though is one of the things that I treasure.

Wysor adds texture to my life, and I will always clear my schedule just to spend the day walking a stream with him.

Another reason: I think he is an awesome fly-fisherman.

Fly-fishing is all about learning, and how can you not take away something from someone who has been fly-fishing in Craig County for 50 years?

Sunday, we went to Barbours Creek.

With Wysor, I am always the student, and he the willing teacher.

Wading in at 3 p.m., the hatch was extremely thin. We both tied on prince nymphs, and started working our way upstream.

He showed me the way and unselfishly gave me the first shots at the best pools.

As I worked up Barbours, he hopscotched upward, always leaving at least two or good three runs in front of me. Meeting at the falls, I had hooked two small browns. He had caught and released six.

Wysor’s strategy was to use the light hatch to his advantage. Using a large stimulator with a small nymph dropper was the key. Following form, I tied on a Green Para Drake, and dropped a small bead head about 10 inches off the hook.

This was a rig that worked.

And as the temperatures slowly fell, the fishing picked up, culminating in Wysor releasing a huge brown, and me releasing a huge rainbow. Most all fish took the dropper.

Walking the road back just before dusk, I asked him what he likes most about fly-fishing.

“I like dry fly-fishing. Seeing that fly on the water, and getting that fish to come up. That’s what it all about for me.”

Wysor has a unique presentation with a dry. He can drop a fly anywhere he wants, and he often will softly land a dry in the same pool with a succession of quick casts.

Picking up well before the end of a drift, he will again present the fly so perfectly that he often catches fish in a pool that you would think is fish-free, or not productive.

The key here is a great presentation. Being a skilled fly-fisherman requires this.

When you are enticing a wild fish to strike a tasteless and scentless entomological imitation of feather and fur, the way you stage a fly in the water is of absolute importance.

Especially in moving water, a wild fish doesn’t have the time or inclination to intently study a fly.

Trout strike mainly because they are feeding or competing, and an accurately advanced fly is what stimulates “a take.”

Wysor Smith knows both. He knows what they are eating, and more importantly, he knows how to serve them up.

It is always a compliment to fish in his shadow, and laugh by his side.