Bob Gooch (1919–2006) was a freelance outdoor writer whose many publications include Lake Fishing in Virginia and Enjoying Virginia Outdoors (both Virginia). M. W. Smith is Professor of English at Bluefield State College and the author of a number of fishing guides, including Fishing the New River Valley, Fishing the Roanoke Valley, and Fishing the Shenandoah Valley (all Virginia). He is the proprietor of Greasy Creek Outfitters, a fishing guide service and retailer based in Floyd, Virginia.