Longtime Virginia Fire Fighter Publishes Fly Fishing Book

February 26, 2009 – The tie that bonds IAFF fire fighters is not just the profession of fire fighting itself; it’s also shared hobbies and interests – such as fly fishing. For Beau Beasley, one longtime Fairfax County, VA Local 2068 fire fighter, fly fishing is more than a hobby. He has published a book, Fly Fishing Virginia: A No Nonsense Guide to Top Waters.

Beasley, a 25-year veteran fire fighter, had read many of the current guidebooks and decided he could write one that was more user-friendly. “My book covers more than 35 fly fishing locations across Virginia,” says Beasley. “It provides great maps and details on what to expect at each location.”

The Fairfax County fire fighter began fly fishing after a patient he was taking to the hospital offered to teach him how. “It has brought thousands of hours of enjoyment to my life,” Beasley reports.

He has fished mostly in Virginia, but has traveled to many other states – Oregon, Wyoming, Alaska, Maryland and West Virginia – to perfect his technique.

As his fly fishing skills improved, Beasley began publishing articles in several outdoors magazines. After reading that the IAFF had developed a partnership with the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP), Beasley was inspired to get involved.

He has been writing online columns for the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA), a hunting and fishing club for union members interested in the outdoors. One of his recent contributions is “Fishing Like a Fire Fighter.”