In order for my inlaws to get me to visit they have offered to rent a RV or a cabin within a reasonable distance of Winchester, VA. So I am looking for suggestions of possible places to with good fly fishing water we can camp or rent a place nearby. One of the places I found was Blackwater Falls State Park in WV. All suggestions would be appreciated.
You could take a look at the below website. They have a number of links to various resources in Virginia and West Virginia.
Good fishing,
Larry 
well, sadly around here there are not alot of trout streams, but we do have a lot of lakes and ponds. you shouldnt have a problem finding a good spot, just take a peep at the map of winchester and youll probably find 2-3 ponds or lakes within a thirty minute drive. from where ive gone around here, its pretty much like that everywhere in VA. im not a very good map person, but ill go try and find some good places for you
Check out this site too.
http://www.mountaineerflies.com/
I have family in that neck of the woods and never knew that they had such great fishing. I can’t wait to get back.
ED
From Winchester, you are within easy reach of some fine brook trout fishing - and some downright breathtaking scenery - inside Shenandoah National Park. With some luck, we’ll get rain and/or snow within the coming weeks to get thestreams back up after this summer’s shortage of precip.
Still, there are a few places that are holding up well.
PM me if you like!
Marty
Wow. Thanks for all the great replies. Let me ask this question, if you could go anywhere within 2-3 hours from Winchester, VA, where would you go? We won’t actually be staying in Winchester it is just a starting off point. Also, what time of year would be the best time to go, the best time for me would be early Oct.
Stop in Harry Murrays’ fly shop in Edinburgh ( ? ), about 1/2 hour south off I-81. His books will get you info of the streams in the area. The Shenandoah might be too cold for smallmouth fishing, so all the feeder creeks will be the best choices for trout fishing. 8)
Now you’ve really opened a can of worms (in this case a positive problem). You could just as easily head to the North Branch of the Potomac and the Savage River (both headwaters and tailwater) in western MD. That is the best time of year to hit both those streams. Plus, with the Savage River headwaters, anything that feeds it has native brookies (as do the headwaters proper and the tailwater). The browns in both rivers will be preparing to spawn but will still be several weeks out from spawning so no need to worry about disrupting their dance.
Also consider the Elk in WV and some of the magnificent streams that way that have large browns and brookies if trout are your intended quarry.
Marty
The Shenandoas would be MUCH closer than Blackwater Falls area. Rt 50 may look like a nice shot to the Davis area but it is one loooooooooooooooooooooong and wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinding road :). Lots of fun to drive but it would take half a day just to get there.
Taking all options into account - if you’re after trout, that is - Shenandoah NP would be THE ticket. There are scores of waterways that have native brookies. At that time of year they might be spawning, but you can head higher or lower on the mountain and find fish that aren’t busy makin’ babies.
A short 2-4 wt rod is perfect (7’6" or less), and have an arsenal of small fluffy attractor dries such as EH caddis, wulffs, stimis, ants, beetles, etc. I’d be happy to show you some wonderful spots inside and outside the Park - some where you’ll find more 4-6" brookies than you could ever imagine, and some where you’ll catch more 8-10" brookies than you thought existed in one stream.
Marty
Marty,
Thanks for all the info and the offer of showing me the sights. I’ll be in contact with you when we get more firm plans. Until then, feel free to contact me if you’re ever in AZ.
Shane
o yeah and i forgot to mention, we had a serious drought going down here for most of september, and in a lot of areas, the water level was down 15-20 feet. i havnt got out on the water since early september though, and we have had some good rain since then, but im not sure it has replenished all the water we got.
Harrys’ 2 books : Trout Fishing in the Shenandoah National Forest & Fly Fishing for Smallmouth will give you the best local info. Even though the fly shop was in the back of the pharmacy/drug store, it’s not more than a long stones throw from the Shenandoah River. There used to be another fly shop south of town on the road down to Stephens City off 522, & there were a couple of fishing stores in Winchester that had some fly fishing gear which seemed to be off of 50 or 522 on the east side of town. The Savage River, even going NW up 522 to 40 or I-70 is probably 1 1/2 hours away & the North Branch at least another 1/2 hour. Harpers Ferry would be about 45 minutes to the NE. Can’t remember if the forks of the Cacapon River had trout in winter. Farther downstream towards the Potomac was predominately bass fishing. 8)
I almost cant believe this hasnt been suggested, but if you want world class creek fly fishing, mossy creek near Harrisonburg is the best known spot in the state. You will need to contact the Mossy Creek fly shop for information on how to obtain permission to fish this creek, but if there was only 1 stop on your trip, this would be my vote. The streams in the SNP are really rain dependant but beautiful places to be if you want native Brookies. Two totally different experiences however. Mossy Creek is more of an open western style stream (kinda a stretch but best way to describe it) that is deep and cold and holds HUGE fish. Browns primarily.
Hope this helps!
I agree with Harry Murray’s shop and Mossy oak fly shop, both are a great source for the local fishing. I have both of Harry’s books mentioned (signed I might add… :)) and Harry also has his own dvd’s on fishing the local waters, his shop is half fly shop, half pharmacy. Mossy Oak is own by a set of twins, great guys, if your in there and are asking about Mossyy, also ask about the Troy minnow, it’s a fly they created just for Mossy, I have one they tied for me setting on my puter desk. They Just recently pulled a 22 inch out of that creek. I have caught up to 12 inch Browns out of there but have yet to catch one of the monster trout. There in there. Mossy can be tuff, alot get skunked. That adds to the challenge. I have been fourtainit enough to have good days there. Don’t get me wrong here, I been skunked there big time…lol
Oh yeah, don’t forget to enjoy our area, take some time to breath it all in, it’s some pretty country around here…
As Tim said, it’s beautiful country & I’m planning on being there again this year for the Virginia Fly Fishing Festival & another great time with Tim, Susan, Jerry (Dotman) & Debbie.
Tim…Get a day or 2 off & we’ll see if we can tempt one of those big browns…along with some stream brookies & smallmouth. I’ll try to stay ABOVE water this time! :lol:
Mike
Mossy requires a little work up front - a written request to the VDGIF in Verona to get landowner permission to fish the Creek. I suppose if you know the date(s) you’re fishing, that’s not a problem. Mossy is also not for the faint of heart - though if you have some spring creek experience, it can be a VERY productive stream to fish.
The Trow brothers (Brian and Colby), who own the shop, are good guys. Definitely contact them if that sounds like it’s something you’d want to try … www.mossycreekflyfishing.com
Marty