Shared by Jim Gerhart, Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park, as Guest Blogger.

Fly fishing is one of her favorite outdoor activities that she wants to share with others at a Fly Fishing Expo at Smith Mountain Lake State Park.  

Meet Casey Soper an interpreter at Smith Mountain Lake State Park who grew up with an appreciation of nature and the environment, since both her parents were park rangers.

Casey Soper, trying out her fly casting rod

“In fact, my parents met at park ranger training in North Carolina,” she said. “I literally seem to be following in my father’s footsteps.” Soper said her father, Charles Daniel Soper, who everyone calls Dan, grew up in Bedford County. While in high school and a couple years of college, he would work at Smith Mountain Lake State Park. He eventually became chief ranger at Pocahontas State Park and was promoted a few years later to assistant manager. 

Casey Soper is currently a sophomore at Virginia Tech, majoring in Conservation and Recreation.  “With that major, I can learn about the running of the state parks and how the system works,” she said. Next summer she hopes to get a 2-year internship with Virginia State Parks, which can lead to a ranger position after graduation. She said she has a lot of interest in becoming a law enforcement officer which is necessary for future promotion.

Recently Casey has been helping to coordinate a Fly Fishing Expo to be held at Smith Mountain Lake State Park  mid-August.

“My dad taught me how to fly fish at a very early age and I have developed a love for the sport,” she said. She is excited about introducing people to a new way to enjoy fishing, and letting participants know what opportunities are available nearby.

Fly fishing is not just for mountain streams, according to park interpreter Casey Soper.

Casey says attendees will learn about striper and trout fishing, and enjoy fly tying and casting lessons by experienced anglers from Orvis and Project Healing Waters.

She explained that Project Healing Waters has skilled fly fishing experts who devote their time to teaching veterans to fly fish, which has proven to be very therapeutic. There will also be opportunities to take canoes out on fishing trips during the day, but space is limited and sign-up is required. There is no fee for participating in the Fly Fishing Expo, only the $5 parking fee applies. For more information, call the Smith Mountain Lake State Park office at (540) 297-6066.

The park is located on the north shore of Smith Mountain Lake in Bedford County, approximately 40 miles from both Lynchburg and Roanoke and 50 miles from Danville. For a Google Map with turn by turn directions click here.

For overnight reservations camping and cabin reservations, click here or call Virginia State Parks Customer Service Center at (800) 933-PARK.