Trout Fishing Tips

Cripple Creek is a private trout stream in Rural Retreat, Virginia which offers anglers the opportunity to catch trout weighing 2 lbs and over. The creek is small, only about 3/4 of a mile long, but is stocked daily with rainbow trout. Brook and brown trout are also found in Cripple Creek, although they aren't stocked.

Cripple Creek starts in Smyth county, but it's so close to the county line, that most folks associate it with Wythe County. This portion of the creek is privately owned by Ted Baumgardner and has been open to anglers for about a year now.

So if you want to fish Cripple Creek, you must call Ted or Vanessa and make an appointment. There's also a fee of $50/day per person (no discounts for children). Anglers are allowed to catch and keep 6 trout per day though! Anglers do need a valid Virginia fishing license.

In an effort to help protect the fishery, there is a limit to the number of anglers allowed to fish this creek each day. Although group bookings are accepted.

Once appointments are made, check in time is between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. No fishermen are allowed on the creek before check in time.

There are no guide services offered at Cripple Creek. Anglers are expected to fish on their own.

For more information or to make an appointment to fish Cripple Creek, call Ted or Vanessa at (276) 621-4238.



For more information about private trout waters in Virigina, click here.

Labels: Cripple Creek, private trout fishing waters, Rurual Retreat Virginia, Virgina

Bill Cochran (columnist for the Roanoke Times) recently published a list of private trout fishing waters in Virginia. Although private, anglers can pay special fees to cast flies in these trout waters.

The information was compiled by Bill and a Dan Genest (a knowledgeable, well-traveled trout angler). With Bill's permission, I've republished the information below for our readers. The comments in quotes are Dan's.

Beaver Creek: Rockingham County, west of Harrisonburg in Ottobine. Private water managed by the Massanutten Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Donation to fish, usually $10-20. Permit available at country store in Ottobine on a first-come-first serve basis with a four-rod per day limit. Closed Sundays. About 2 miles of spring creek with freestone influences. Mostly stocked rainbows, but a few wild fish. Contact: 540-879-9287. "Very nice, small stream with spunky fish."

Buffalo Creek: Guided, catch-and-release fly-fishing trips on five-eights' mile of excellent rainbow trout water about 5 miles from Lexington, www.vatrout.com. Fee $50 to $85; accommodations, $95 to $169, at B&B at Llewellyn Lodge in Lexington. Contact/guide is John Roberts, 540-463-3235; guide@vatrout.com.

Cascades Creek: On The Homestead property near Hot Springs, flows out of a golf course and into a scenic and rugged gorge that provides falls and pools that hold wild and stocked rainbow trout, lessons and guides available, contact is Allegheny Outfitters on Cottage Row, 540-839-7760 ex. 57760.

Dunlap Creek: Escatawba near Covington, 540-965-8577. Owned by Derrick Barr. Fee is $100 per angler, per day. Reservations required; eight-rod limit. Two miles of freestone with some spring influence. Mostly rainbows with a few browns and brook trout. "Beautiful, well-managed stream. Excellent fishing."

Jackson River: A 2.5-mile stretch of the upper Jackson River in Meadow Lane Farm west of Warm Springs, stocked with rainbow trout, may find an occasional trout from Moomaw Lake, $50 fee, rental cottages available. Contacts: meadowlanecottages.com; 540-839-5959; meadowlane@tds.net. Web site contains recommended fly patterns. "Well worth the trip and money."

Morman's River: Section located west of Charlottesville stocked with rainbows with a few wild brook trout, catch and release only. Fee is $40. Permits available at Albemarle Angler, 434-977-6882. "Best deal for fishing good, private water. Poaching does cut into the fishing, however."

North River: Riverbend Farm in Montezuma, west of Dayton. Owned and managed by Brain and Colby Trow out of Mossy Creek Fly Fishing in Harrisonburg. Reservation required; $60 fee. About 2 miles of freestone with strong spring creek influence. Mostly stocked rainbows with a few native brook trout. Phone 540-434-2444. "A large, beautiful, cold trout stream flowing through the Shenandoah Valley. Excellent bug hatches. Fishing is excellent, but can get challenging."

Piney River: Called Rivenridge at Piney Forks. About 2 miles of South and North Forks of Piney River, rainbows and brook trout. Fee is $79. Owned and managed by Angler’s Lane Fly Shop in Graves Mill Shopping Center, Forest, 434-385-0200.

Potts Creek: Two miles of spring-fed stream stocked with 2- to 7-pound rainbow trout and an occasional brown trout in Craig County’s Paint Bank. Operated by Potts Creek Outfitters; Josh Duncan is the wildlife manager. Fee is $75 per day for catch and release; guides, if desired. Swinging Bridge Restaurant/tackle shop and Depot Lodge nearby. Information form 540-897-5555.

Rose River: Rose River Farm near Syria in Madison County. Bookings through The Albemarle Angler, 1129 Emmet Street, Charlottesville; 434-977-6882. Fee is $75. About 1 mile of freestone stream, with mostly large,stocked rainbows.

Smith River: Called Susie Q, located north of Harrisonburg just off of I-81. Owned and managed by Brian and Colby Trow of Mossy Creek Fly Fishing in Harrisonburg, 540-434-2444. Fee is $60. There is a rod limit on the 1-mile plus of spring creek that contains brows and rainbows. The landowners have created several in-stream structures to prevent erosion and create pools. "Can be a very exciting place to fish with good hatches."

Stoney Creek: Located at Wintergreen Resort, freestone mountain creek stocked with brook trout, $20 for a permit, managed by Brian and Colby Trow at Mossy Creek Fly Fishing in Harrisonburg. 540-434-2444. "A fun little stream to fish."

Others: Two additional areas that cater to bait fishermen but can be attractive to fly anglers are Cripple Creek near Rural Retreat; call Cedar Springs at 276-686-4505, and Meadow Creek at Big Pine in Craig County, bigpinetroutfarm.com or 540-864-5551.

It's a good idea to call ahead and double check the information above. Things have a way of changing unexpectedly.

Thanks to Bill Cohran for sharing this information and allowing us to republish it here!

Updated: 10-Feb.-09:

Cripple Creek is another private fishing water that has recently opened in Rural Retreat Virginia. For more information about trout fishing at Cripple Creek, click here.

Labels: beaver creek, buffalo creek, cascades creek, dunlap creek, jackson river, morman's river, north river, piney river, potts creek, private trout fishing waters, rose river, stoney creek, Virgina