Good Things From Virginia

Mountain Fork and Little Stony Creek Trout Streams Restored to Fishable Populations... VDGIF Regional Aquatic Resources Manager, Bill Kittrell, reports that there are two new special regulation trout fisheries in far southwest Virginia available for anglers this year. Mountain Fork and Little Stony Creek, both within the boundaries of the Jefferson National Forest in parts of Wise and Scott Counties, support newly established trout fisheries maintained through fingerling stocking. Beginning in 2010, Department biologists partnered with members of the Little Stony Chapter of Trout Unlimited and began a brook trout fingerling stocking program on Mountain Fork and a brown trout fingerling stocking program on Little Stony with the goal of establishing natural reproducing, fishable populations. Results have been successful with the establishment of multiple trout year classes. It is hoped that natural reproduction will eventually sustain the populations. Both streams are accessible by foot trail and are regulated as catch and release trout streams. They should provide excellent recreational opportunities for anglers. A Virginia resident (or non-resident) fishing license and a National Forest Stamp are required to fish in these streams. Read more about this restoration program in a feature article by Katie Dunn, Staff Writer in the December 2, 2014 edition of the Coalfield Progress newspaper, "Trout restocking shows promise ."

Mountain Trout This Week 2/7/11-2/13/11

The cold temperatures continue, but there is some relief in sight next week.  The WVDNR has started stocking some of the smaller monthly and bi-weekly streams.  These smaller waters are my favorites. Red Creek, Clover Run and Horseshoe Run in Tucker County were stocked this week.  The Right Fork of Middle Fork in Upshur and the Tygart River headwater section also received trout.  I came down the Tygart yesterday, the river was low and clear, with shelf ice extending from the banks and a lot of floating ice sheets.  For the complete list of waters stocked this week go to WV Trout  Back Creek over in Bath County was stocked this week, as was the South Branch of the Potomac in Highland County; for the complete list of Virginia trout stockings, go to VA Trout The cold morning temperatures that we have had in our region over the past week make mid-afternoon the time to be on your favorite stream.

Mountain Trout: This week 1/17-1/23

More of the same is on the way, heavy snow and frigid temperatures.  Someday; we will get a few nice days in a row; but not in the near future.  The South Branch (Franklin upstream to Virginia) was stocked with trout. The Dry River over in Rockingham County, VA also received a trout allotment this week. The East Fork of the Greenbrier and the Little River of East Fork in Pocahontas County were stocked on Thursday.  These waters should be in good fishing condition.   The Hidden Valley section of the Jackson River, in Bath County, VA received trout on Friday and could be a good location for those who travel to the area. Finding a place to park may present a problem, with all of the snow piles.  We have another 6-8 inches of snow on the way and morning temperatures of near 0 are predicted for Saturday morning.  Dress extra warm.  The windchill is supposed to be around 20 below on Saturday morning. Good luck with that..

Mountain Trout This Week

No WV waters were stocked during the week ending on 1/15. Back Creek in Bath County, VA received a stocking this week.  The weather is usually a little milder over there. The Back Creek Valley is one of my favorite places on earth. If you have never been in this area before; do yourself a favor and visit the area this spring. It is a great place for trout fishing, eagle watching and turkey hunting.  For trout fishing updates in the High Virginias', visit http://highvirginiaoutdoors.blogspot.com/p/stream-reports.html .  Be sure to make this spring a memorable one.

Winter Trout

The New Year has arrived and it is time to think about winter trout fishing.  Last year was pretty much a bust; with several feet of snow in the highlands and impassable roads.  We can only hope that we can enjoy angling on our mountain streams, before the warm weather crowds arrive.

Make sure, when you are planning a trip to our region to check out the updated stockings and select stream conditions on the Stream Report page of High Virginia Outdoors.

Water conditions will be reported as I go about my daily travels in the Allegheny Highlands. If you haven't done so already; it is now time to go out and buy some new line. Don't let that one chance per year brown trout snap you off early in the season, because of equipment failure. It will haunt you for the rest of the year.