ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, April 21, 1996 TAG: 9604230066
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-20 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
THEY are the circulatory system of the New River Valley.
They are cold and swift, these rivers and creeks, and once were filled with fish, including that most romantic, mythologized and evocative species - the trout.
The rippling waterways go by names that are richly descriptive - Big Stony; horribly misleading - Dismal; darkly foreboding - Poverty; and sweetly beckoning - Laurel Fork.
Once the trout flooded these peaceful waters, lurking in every deep pool, peering from beneath each grassy bank. Now, man, who denuded these streams with fishing rods and other means, must deliver trout by truck to the angling multitudes.
Yet the New River Valley is not as heavily fished as some areas. At places such as Dismal Creek on the Giles-Bland border and Laurel Fork near Mabry Mill, you can stand along the creek and find yourself the only fisherman there.
Even easily accessible streams such as the South Fork of the Roanoke River in Montgomery County and Big Stony Creek in Giles County are only occasionally crowded. An afternoon spent there with a fishing rod makes you wonder why these waters aren't more heavily fished.
The new year-round trout season approved by the state in 1995 must have a lot to do with it. The varied stocking schedules by the state Department of Game and Inland Fisheries at many of the streams may also contribute.
Whatever the reason, there are numerous stocked streams in the New River Valley and not a one of them requires a strenuous march through the wilderness.
The only pass most people need is a fishing license and a trout stamp that can be bought at most sporting goods stores and tackle shops. Add to those documents a U. S. Forest Service stamp, also available at these shops, if you are fishing on national lands such as the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.
Here's how to get there and what you might find. Devising a sporting strategy to capture some of these gamefish is up to you.
SOUTH FORK ROANOKE RIVER
HOW TO GET THERE: In Montgomery County, turn off of U.S. 460 in Shawsville onto Virginia 637 and watch for the state stocking signs. The bridge at Georges Run is one convenient parking area.
COMMENTS: By New River Valley standards, the South Fork has a lot of water to work. Deep holes and long stretches of dark green gentle water. This is as popular an area as there is in the New River Valley.
GOOSE CREEK
HOW TO GET THERE: From the Shawsville area of Montgomery County, continue up Virginia 637 from the South Fork, proceed through Alleghany Springs, and turn right on Virginia 653. Stocking begins near the Floyd County line and proceeds to the posted signs near the house with the swimming pool.
COMMENTS: Nice freestone stream, one of the more picturesque in the area. Short riffle-run-pool configuration over a fairly steep gradient with lots of rocks for fish to hide behind. Steep hemlock- and hardwood-adorned hillsides form the tight valley that cradles the stream.
TOMS CREEK
HOW TO GET THERE: Out of Blacksburg, take Prices Fork Road, bearing right on Virginia 652 as it proceeds to Longshop. Turn right on Virginia 655, which more or less follows the course of the stocked stream. Watch for the stocking signs.
COMMENTS: Some 15 minutes from downtown Blacksburg, this is one of the most accessible streams in the area. Neat and litter free, as public trout streams go.
POVERTY CREEK
HOW TO GET THERE: Go west from Blacksburg on U.S. 460 and turn left on Forest Service Road 269 in Montgomery County. Continue until you see the creek winding through the trees on the left. The stocked area is marked by signs.
COMMENTS: An interesting creek that winds gently back and forth between the rhododendrons along the valley floor. Even at the best of times, this is a stream with a relatively weak flow. During periods of drought, it is all but unfishable. No place for a fly rod because of the dense vegetation and short reaches of open water.
CRAIG CREEK
HOW TO GET THERE: From Blacksburg, head west on U.S. 460 and turn right on Virginia 621 in Montgomery County. Watch for the stocking signs.
COMMENTS: The parking area runs right along the stream. Park, pop the trunk for your tackle and waders, and go fishing. Crystal clear water and beautiful, pastel shaded rocks in blue, aqua and cream. Don't mistake these pristine mountain trout waters for the wider, slower, warmer section of the creek downstream in Craig County.
PEAK CREEK
HOW TO GET THERE: Out of Pulaski, follow Mount Olivet Road toward Gateway Reservoir. Pass the right turn to the reservoir and continue on Virginia 710 to the parking area at the foot of the dam.
COMMENTS: The final stages of the 710 approach to the dam are not for those whose courage is flimsy. The road has been washed out to bedrock in places, but any vehicle (four-wheel drive preferred most times) with sufficient ground clearance should do. This would be a wonderful tailwater trout stream if the good guys ever manage to reclaim it from the villains who have strewn rusting appliances and other atrocities along the entire length of the road to the dam.
BIG STONY CREEK
HOW TO GET THERE: Headed west toward Pearisburg on U.S. 460 in Giles County, turn right on Virginia 684 and bear right on Virginia 635 at Kimbalton. The road follows the creek almost to the headwaters. There are numerous turnouts.
COMMENTS: When you think of a standard Appalachian trout stream, this is what you picture in your mind's eye. A classic stream with plenty of trout, despite substantial fishing pressure.
DISMAL CREEK
HOW TO GET THERE: In Giles County south of White Gate, follow Virginia 42 south past Bland Correctional Facility then turn right on Virginia 606. Take the next right past the store and follow the forest service road, which runs beside the creek in Giles County for miles.
COMMENTS: A delightful place to fish by any standard. The shelves of smooth rock provide countless hideaways for trout. This stream is fishable only by wading. Bank fishing will just get you hung up in the lush vegetation that overhangs the water on both sides.
SINKING CREEK
HOW TO GET THERE: In Giles County, turn right off U.S. 460 at Newport and take Virginia 42 for two miles until you reach Virginia 703. Turn right. Just past the low-water bridge is a parking area.
COMMENTS: This is a special regulation area where only single-hook fly-fishing is permitted. The limit is two per day, 16 inches or longer. Any fish smaller than that must be returned to the water unharmed. Written permission is required to fish here. Woe be to those who would fish here outside the regulations. Miller Williams, a Trout Unlimited chapter president, lives in a house overlooking the stream. He is said to watch the comings and goings closely and to have little patience with outlaws.
LITTLE STONY CREEK
HOW TO GET THERE: In Giles County, follow U.S. 460 into Pembroke and turn right at the National Forest sign for the Cascades. Follow Virginia 623 to a parking area at the Cascades.
COMMENTS: Winter flooding rearranged the landscape and took out some old bridges here. This is another fly-fishing only area. Spectacular, high gradient freestone stream with numerous falls and pools.
WEST FORK LITTLE RIVER
HOW TO GET THERE: In Floyd County headed south out of Floyd, turn right off Virginia 221 at Virginia 729. Follow the road to the bridge where the stocking signs are. There is parking here, but don't block the private drive.
COMMENTS: Gentle gradient and lots of line-snagging growth on the banks. A fun stream, particularly if your outing is interrupted by one of the beavers who frequent the area.
HOWELL CREEK
HOW TO GET THERE: In Floyd County on U.S. 221 south of Floyd, turn left at the old cannery on Virginia 807 and then right on Virginia 716. Park at the bridge or at one of the several turnouts past that.
COMMENTS: Although this stream has been treated rudely by litter bugs in places, there are plenty of feisty fish, most of them brook trout who would be delighted to break your line on one of the many snags of downed timber.
RUSH FORK
HOW TO GET THERE: In Floyd County on U.S. 221 south of Floyd, turn left at the cannery at the intersection of Virginia 807 and 221. Bear right at the fork onto Virginia 726 and right again on Virginia 804. Rush Fork runs along 804. If there are stocking signs, they are not apparent. If in doubt, ask.
COMMENTS: One of the prettiest and quietest valleys in the whole area is the setting for this peacefully winding brook.
INDIAN CREEK
HOW TO GET THERE: In Montgomery County, drive west on Interstate 81 and take the first Radford exit. Turn left at the end of the exit. Follow Virginia 600 through Childress. Turn right on Virginia 693 and then left on Virginia 787. Watch for the stocking signs just past the Floyd County line.
COMMENTS: This is a popular stream and for good reason. It's pretty, easy to fish, and the fish are plentiful.
BURKS FORK
HOW TO GET THERE: In Floyd County south of Willis, turn left off U.S. 221 onto Virginia 758. Follow to the bridge.
COMMENTS: One fishermen encountered here said that he had been all over, but this was his favorite trout stream. No wonder. It's easy to fish, especially on the stretches where somebody has kindly removed the brush from the banks. Don't mind the cattle, even when they wade into a particularly promising hole.
LAUREL FORK
HOW TO GET THERE: In Floyd County, heading south on the Blue Ridge Parkway, turn right at Virginia 603 near Mabry Mill and follow until the stream comes into sight.
COMMENTS: There is little evidence of heavy fishing pressure here. Near the intersection of Virginia 660, a benevolent landowner shares a park-like stretch of creek that he has even provided with a picnic table streamside.
LITTLE RIVER
HOW TO GET THERE: In Floyd County, driving from Christiansburg toward Floyd on Virginia 8, turn left on Virginia 705. Park at the bridge that intersects at Virginia 706 or at any of the turnouts on Virginia 706 that runs along beside the river.
COMMENTS: Long stretches of flat water appeal to the dry-fly fisherman and the ease of access to everybody else.
LENGTH: Long : 213 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: RAY COX. 1. Goose Creek (above) is a "nice freestoneby CNBstream, one of the more picturesque in the area." 2. Cody (left) and
Dean Bowers of Gladesboro, pictured at right, tried their luck at
Burks Ford, which has a reputation for being easy to fish. 3. Toms
Creek: "This is one of the most accessible streams in the area. Neat
and litter free, as public trout streams go." 4. Big Stony Creek:
"When you think of a standard Appalachian trout stream, this is what
you picture in your mind's eye." 5. On the Little River in Floyd
County, "long stretches of flat water appeal to the dry-fly
fisherman" and other anglers. 6. On the cover: Burks Ford in Floyd
County is a trout stream that's easy to fish, especially on the
stretches where somebody has kindly removed the brush from the banks
(ran on NRV-1). color.