Private Trout Fishing Waters in Virginia

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.