Angling for Business: One Small Shop Offers a Big Experience

Do you have a passion for all things fly fishing? If you do, you might want to stop by District Angling in Arlington, Virginia.

Are you looking for a place to buy great fly fishing gear? Do you want to know the latest information on fishing conditions and where to find the best spots to fish? Do you want to take lessons or book a guided fly fishing trip? Do you want to learn about local fly fishing-related events? District Angling provides all that and more.

Owner Richard Farino talks to a customer in District Angling.

District Angling is an independently-owned small business in Arlington, Virginia, which opened in December 2017. Owner Richard Farino purposely designed his shop not only to provide a pleasant shopping experience but also an environment where anglers can relax and share stories and fishing information.

District Angling also has an online store and accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Farino wants to build a customer base and a sense of community with the local fly fishing population. "I hope District Angling will be a source for helpful and relevant information that can make fly fishing outings enjoyable and successful," Farino said.

Farino assists customers during a Saturday seminar.

As part of the effort to develop a sense of community, free seminars at District Angling offer instruction on fly tying, fishing techniques, and more every other Saturday. Materials are provided to students. These seminars usually range from beginner to intermediate skill levels, and anyone is welcome to attend. The classes are taught by various experts in their fields.

The next seminar, how to tie quill body flies, will be held on March 16.

District Angling also occasionally partners on events with charitable organizations, such as Project Healing Waters. Project Healing Waters works with disabled active military service personnel and disabled veterans across the United States. District Angling participates in various events throughout the year to provide fly fishing supplies and instruction to veterans. Check out District Angling’s website for information on the upcoming 6th Annual Project Healing Waters Fly Tying Marathon.

Another upcoming event is the 2019 Fly Fishing Film Tour, or F3T. This is the thirteenth year for F3T and the second year that District Angling has served as the event organizer for the District of Columbia Metro area film site. Tickets are on sale now for the event being held at the Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse on March 26. The event consists not only of fly fishing movies, but also opportunities to mingle with fellow anglers, enjoy food and drink, be treated to giveaways, and enter raffles for chances to win door prizes.

F3T will be held at the Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse in Arlington, Virginia.

Anyone interested in fly fishing, regardless of level of experience, is invited to attend any of the seminars or events listed on the District Angling website.

"Events like these introduce me to new people and give me opportunities to better the business, tweak it, and gather ideas to enhance and continue to build the business," Farino said.

If you love fly fishing and are looking for a place to go for quality gear, up-to-date information, helpful instruction, interesting events, and fellow enthusiasts to share with, stop by District Angling and see what’s new.

Farino encourages customers to bring in fly fishing-related stickers to add to the collection on the restroom door.