Spring Creek

One of only a few spring creeks in Southwest Va. Consistent flows mean consistent fishing. The South Fork Holston River special regulation trout fishery is one of the premier trout streams in southwest Virginia. It offers an excellent opportunity for anglers to catch many rainbow trout and large brown trout. Fly-fishing tackle is excellent and almost always produces good numbers of trout. The river has a large forage base of aquatic insects and patterns to match include everything from tiny caddis larvae to giant black stonefly nymphs. During late winter, as spring approaches, a few warm, sunny days in succession may prompt blue-wing olive mayfly hatches, offering anglers occasional spurts of dry-fly action.  As the long days of summer bring low, clear flows, anglers must adjust their fishing tactics accordingly to be successful. Keeping a low profile and making long casts can help prevent spooking the trout. As waters cool in fall, trout everywhere begin feeding heavily, and those in the South Fork are no exception. Autumn also offers the best chance to tangle with one of the stream’s trophy brown trout as they prepare to spawn. Large streamers such as muddler minnows, wooly buggers, and woolhead sculpins are the best choices for the fly angler seeking a big brown trout.

Freestone

This is one of the better freestone streams in the state. With over 20 miles of stream, there’s lots of possibilities. Rising in the confines of the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, Whitetop Laurel Creek begins as two tiny feeder streams: Little Laurel and Big Laurel. These rivulets flow in and out of private property through a mountain basin located near the hamlet of Konnarock. Downstream of Konnarock, Whitetop Laurel, by now a medium-size stream, enters a narrow gorge where access is via foot or bicycle trail only. Two special-regulation sections begin here, as well as several spectacular fishing stretches. The special regulation sections of Whitetop Laurel have parking areas, restroom facilities, and information postings provided by the U. S. Forest Service at the top portion of the upper special regulation area and the ending portion of the lower area. Both parking areas are can be accessed from route 58. The upper special regulation section also has handicap fishing platforms.

Spring Creek

A smaller spring creek with native brookies just waiting to smoke a dry fly. To be born in Virginia means a great deal. Many of y’all are native to the Commonwealth and you wear it like a badge of honor. The Old Dominion’s rivers called Potomac, James, New or Dan or its mountains named Blue Ridge, Allegheny or Cumberland just mean more to you. There’s another one of your state’s indigenous residents I’d like you to meet. Many of you already may know of these native sons and daughters–Virginia’s Brook Trout. Tucked deep into the Blue Ridge mountains are some of the prettiest brook trout streams you can find. The water these Commonwealth creatures inhabit isn’t very big. Finding their native homes can present a big challenge. For the purist, dry flies, wet flies, streamers and nymphs are used. Nymphs early in the season, dry flies when the natural insects hatch. Caddis, mayfly and stonefly nymphs also fish well early in the year when these aquatic larvae are available naturally. In deep pools, small minnows may be effective year round.