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Hello, I've never been to VA, but Im being sent to FT Lee VA for a month of training in June. I expect I will be having some free weekends to get to know the great state (oops Commonwealth) of VA a bit better. I am hoping to spend some of that time on a few trout streams.
Any suggestions on places within a 100 miles drive of Richmond (the limit to our weekend passes) would be much appreciated.
Ed
Ask here [url=http://www.highcountryoutdoors.net/temp/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl:eb19c]http://www.highcountryoutdoors.net/temp/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl[/url:eb19c] on the SNP board and ask here [url=http://www.vaflyfish.com/:eb19c]http://www.vaflyfish.com/[/url:eb19c]
In or near the Shenandoah National Park is where most of the trout fishing is in VA. You'll find a few other spots I'm sure.
The most comprehensive resource is Harry Murray's fly shop which you can get at - [url=http://www.murraysflyshop.com/:4a849]http://www.murraysflyshop.com/[/url:4a849]
If you leave yourself open to options beyond trout you will be in the middle of some fabulous bass fishing. The James River runs the middle of Richmond and there are many other moving an still waters in the area.
Also, be aware that VA trout stamps are expensive but you only need them for the stocked streams. If you are going to fish the wild trout in the SNP you just need a VA fishing license.
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Fish more, work less!
Oh, you might also want to check out one of the books available Harry Murray has written several books and made videos on fishing the SNP and VA in general and there is a Flyfishers Guide to Virginia that is also good but I don't remember the authors name. I'll check when I get home tonight.
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Fish more, work less!
Ed,
I'm stationed at Fort Eustis right now and I fish the Shenandoahs almost every weekend. Rick's info is pretty much spot on. I have a friend who snorkels with the smallmouth bass in the New River and he assures me that there are quite a few world record class fish in there.
Va. has great spring creeks, check out Mossy Creek, Buffalo Creek, and Smith Creek. There's tons of wild brook trout in the Shenandoahs and the George Washington National Forest. The trout fishing here is is wicked hot right now, but we need some rain real bad. Shoot me an email if you want.
All good info. Billy at the Blue Ridge Angler in Harrisonburg could give you good info, he can also put you on one of his private rivers for 50 bucs I think it is...
[url=http://www.blueridgeangler.com/welcome.htm:88765]http://www.blueridgeangler.com/welcome.htm[/url:88765]
[This message has been edited by Grubb (edited 10 May 2005).]
Thanks all for the great suggestions.
Ed,
If you plan to fish Mossy Creek or Buffalo you'll need a special permit (it's free) from the Virginia Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries at the following address: VDGIF P.O. Box 996 Verona, VA 24482. Just include a small note and indicate that you'd like a "permission card" to fish the creeks. Sending you a few attached photos to an e-mail showing Mossy Creek. P. S. You can't wade in it; just have to "cower" along the banks while you try to sneak up on those wily trouts. Mossy lives up to it's name as it's pretty full of grass in lots of areas; but, it's cold all year round and has some really nice browns if you get lucky.
P. S. The VDGIF folks should include a map with directions and rules for fishing the creeks too.
[This message has been edited by Grn Mt Man (edited 11 May 2005).]
Blue Ridge angler always has the best and most accurate river reports, of the sites I am aware of IMO of course.
If what you want is solitude, then the brook trout streams are the way to go. The farther you hike in the bigger the fish seem to be too. All the fish are wild and you even have a chance at the odd brown trout since they have seemed to work their way into the populations. The only river in the park that gets heavily pressured is the Rapidan.
Mossy Creek was recently rated one of the 5 best streams in the country in I think Field and Stream. The place gets hammered regularly. There are tons of big brown trout in there, but they are well schooled and they can tie a #10 stimulator better than I can.
Update on the book titles for VA:
Trout Fishing in the Shenadoah by Harry Murray
Virginia's Blue Ribbon Streams also by Harry Murray
FlyFisher's Guide to Virginia by David Hart
Trout Streams of Virginia by Harry Slone
Virginia Fishing Guide
Good luck and have fun!
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Fish more, work less!
I keep a National Geographic map of the Shenandoah National park in my vest. It comes waterproofed and you can find them in any Barnes and Noble in VA. The Delorme Road Atlas of Va was a critical investment as well.