Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 14, 1994 TAG: 9408220039
SECTION: DISCOVER PAGE: 30 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BILL COCHRAN OUTDOOR EDITOR
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Flowing along the edge of industries and homes are three state-stocked trout steams, the Roanoke River, Tinker Creek and Glade Creek. While casting to them is far from a wilderness experience, they can be a delight to an inner-city resident or to a businessman or factory worker with a couple of hours to fish between work and dark. Or a kid on a bike.
The streams are stocked by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries between opening day, which is the third Saturday of March, to around the end of May. Stocking resumes in the fall and early winter, when stream flows rise and temperatures drop.
There are other trout streams nearby that are popular attractions: Jennings Creek in Botetourt County, Potts Creek in Craig County, Little River in Floyd County, South Fork of the Roanoke River in Montgomery County.
Fly fishermen, whose numbers are growing rapidly, often are attracted to Smith River in Henry County, where there is a 3-mile section from Towne Creek downstream to Bassett devoted to artificial lures only. To the northeast, the Jackson River, in the Hidden Valley area of the George Washington National Forest and downstream from Gathright Dam, offers some of the finest trout fishing in the state. In fact, the Jackson below Gathright has been rated one of the top streams in the Eastern United States.
Fly fishermen can get advice about equipment, fly patterns and places to fish at the Orvis store in downtown Roanoke.
There are warm-water streams and lakes nearby for casting to species that include black bass, sunfish, crappie and striped bass. Twenty-thousand-acre Smith Mountain Lake is the largest, and the best producer of trophy-size striped bass in the state. Striper weighing more than 30 pounds are landed annually. The best fishing occurs late winter to early spring and late fall to early winter.
The 44-pound, 14-ounce state record striper came from Smith Mountain, as do the majority of Virginia's stripers that weigh more than 20 pounds.
Other popular fishing lakes include Philpott Lake near Bassett, Claytor Lake in Pulaski County and Lake Moomaw near Covington. Smaller impoundments, like Carvins Cove near Hollins and Gatewood Lake in Pulaski County, should not be overlooked.
The James River, to the east of Roanoke, and the New River, to the west, are ideal for smallmouth bass and panfish action. They also provide the best opportunity in the state for catching the illusive muskie.
The rivers accommodate canoes and johnboats nicely for float-fishing trips. Both streams have several public launching spots. Rental canoes are available at the James River Basin Canoe Livery near Lexington, (703) 261-7334, and from the New River Canoe Livery in Pembroke, (703) 626-7189.
The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries publishes a directory of public fishing opportunities. Ask for the 1994 Virginia Freshwater Fishing Guide, available free at tackle shops or from the department headquarters, 4010 W. Broad St., Richmond 23230.
Fishermen ages 16 through 64 must have a $12.50 state fishing license, valid Jan. 1 through Dec. 31. Older fishermen can purchase a $1.50 license.
If you fish a stocked trout stream, you also must have a $7 trout license, which will increase to $12.50 next season. On national forest streams, a $3.50 license is required in addition to other licenses.
The Roanoke Valley often if viewed as an urban area, but it has a rich diversity of wildlife. The next time someone tries to tell you how ``tame'' the valley is, quote them some wildlife figures, like the deer kill, for example. Hunters last season reported killing 565 deer in Roanoke County. Three nearby counties ranked in the top 10 of Virginia's deer kill: Bedford, third, with 5,7532; Botetourt, fifth, 4,503; Pittsylvania, sixth, 4,439.
Deer are so plentiful that it isn't all that difficult to find a private landowner willing to let a responsible sportsman hunt. Chances are the landowner is experiencing deer damage.
Both the nearby Jefferson and George Washington national forests provide excellent deer and turkey hunting on thousands of acres of public land. The forests also have habitat for squirrels, grouse and bear.
Maps are available of the two forests for a modest fee from the Jefferson headquarters, located at 5162 Valleypointe Parkway.
Still another close-in public hunting spot is the Haven Wildlife Management Area in Roanoke County. This mountainous, mostly walk-in terrain is reached along Bradshaw Road and off Wildwood Road (Virginia 619). It is managed for hunting by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, but even many hunters don't know it is there.
A hunting license is required of everyone seeking game in Virginia, with the exception of landowners and family members hunting on their own property. A resident license costs $12.50. An additional $12.50 license is required of hunters using the special bow and muzzleloading seasons. Hunting licenses are valid July 1 through June 30.
A national forest license, the same one required of fishermen, must be carried by hunters using the Jefferson and George Washington national forests.
Youngsters 15 and under can purchase a hunting license for $8. Hunters age 12 to 15 must complete a safety course before they can purchase a license. Those under 12 must be accompanied by a licensed adult.
A digest of hunting regulations is available from license agents or may be ordered from the game department (see address above).
The valley has several shooting organizations with range facilities available. A variety of firearms matches are held on the Roanoke Rifle and Revolver Club range in Franklin County and at the Ridge Rifle Association north of Fincastle. A good way to view club facilities and meet members is to show up for a match. The matches of both clubs are listed in "Outdoor You Go," featured on the Monday Outdoor page in the Roanoke Times & World-News.
Archers will find facilities and competitive events at the Sherwood Archers Club near Hanging Rock. The facilities include three outdoor ranges, an indoor range and 3-D shooting. The club's vice president, Steve Smith (345-4945), is a good source of information.
by CNB