Virginia’s Mountain Fisheries II

The mountains of western Virginia offer a wide range of topography to visit and explore, and Rockbridge may well have the greatest diversity of terrain among the western counties. From gentle valley lands to the rugged peaks of the Blue Ridge and Alleghenies, elevations range from 1000 feet to over 3600. Watercourses draining these features offer freshwater fisheries in a variety to match the land.

In relatively recent geologic history, the Rockbridge area drained north into the Shenandoah river and on to the Potomac. As the James River basin has grown and expanded over millennia, it has captured what used to be the upper Shenandoah basin and is in the process of eventually taking on the New River as well. This long geologic continuity means that fisheries and the ecosystems that support them in the James basin have been developing in place for millions of years.

Many of our species of fishes are native in the truest sense, and certainly some of the species we see today greeted colonists and explorers four centuries ago. But introductions of fish around geographical boundaries has also shaped the fisheries we see in the present day. Species such as sturgeon, once common to our river systems are now practically extinct. And the mighty flathead catfish, a Mississippi River native that can grow to 100 pounds in size, made its way into the James basin fifteen years ago. In a short while the flathead became the dominant fish in that river, and its presence there is a symbol of how profoundly man can change ecosystems whether intentionally or not.

Area mountain fisheries can be divided into three categories: warm, cool and cold water. Warmwater fishes include many of the sunfishes, largemouth bass and most catfish (including the flathead). These fish prefer larger, slower moving waters at the lower elevations. Coolwater fish constitute the biggest group of species sought by area anglers. These fishes prefer higher gradient habitats with cooler year-round average temperatures, and include smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, rock bass(redeye), yellowbreast sunfish, and fallfish. Coldwater fishes, specifically three species of trout, sculpins and some minnow species prefer the coldest, most restricted habitats. Coldwater habitats include high gradient mountain streams and their headwaters in forested range, and can also include spring waters in the valley. Such waters by their nature are pure and never exceed 70 degrees F. even in summer.

Of these three categories, there is some overlap of habitat depending on the season and flow conditions.

Warmwater fisheries in the Rockbridge area include the James River in its entirety and the Maury River downstream of Lexington. Both are fairly large watercourses. Both these rivers host the largest warmwater species, flathead catfish in the lower Maury and muskellunge and flathead in the James.. Those are the primary predator fish in the rivers, followed by smallmouth and largemouth bass. The fisheries are rounded out with channel catfish, bullhead catfish and several sunfishes.

Both the Maury and James lend themselves to float fishing and the majority of fish are taken there by sportfishermen while float fishing. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) maintains a system of public boat landings on the James and Maury Rivers. Locations are posted at www.dgif.virginia.gov . There are also thriving canoe guiding services which advertise in the Rockbridge area.

Coolwater fisheries probably represent the greatest mileage of moving water in Rockbridge. Hayes, Buffalo, and Kerrs Creeks all have fishable populations of coolwater species . Unfortunately most of these watercourses flow through private lands. The Maury River in Goshen Pass is a classic coolwater fishery, surrounded by state land and open to public access. Fishing in the Pass can be excellent in the summer months. Trout are stocked there by the VDGIF but the water goes marginal by June of most years and coolwater fish predominate from then until fall. Anglers using ultralight tackle can take dozens of smallmouth, redeye and sunfish in a days fishing. The long mileage of the Maury between Rockbridge Baths and Lexington is best explored by boat and again, guiding services are recommended for first timers.

The mountains surrounding Rockbridge also provide miles of coldwater trout habitat. The bulk of area trout fisheries are stocked under suitable conditions by VDGIF. On the Blue Ridge side of the valley trout are stocked in Irish Creek and South River. On the Allegheny side, Goshen Pass and Mill Creek above Goshen get plenty of fish. Trout stocked in Virginia streams include rainbows, browns and brooks. By far the most fish stocked are rainbows of the Wytheville strain. This strain of trout has been cultured by VDGIF for decades and has excellent holdover potential. And Wytheville rainbows are near enough to wild that under ideal conditions some of the fish can spawn successfully. In addition to the rainbows the domestic browns stocked in these waters will survive season to season because of their difficulty of capture. As such they are capable of attaining sizes seemingly out of proportion to their habitats.

Trout fishermen are well served by using ultralight spoons and spinners on two pound line. By mid-May insect activity peaks on area trout waters and fly fishermen will have a decided advantage over the hardware flingers. All of the stocked streams support classic fly hatches and excellent dry-fly fishing conditions before the heat of summer sends surviving trout into hiding until water temperatures are again favorable.

Prospective fishermen are reminded that a valid Virginia fishing license is required to fish, and trout fishermen will need a trout license to fish stocked waters. Anglers fishing Irish Creek and Mill Creek will also need to obtain a National Forest stamp. Licenses are available from sporting goods outlets and many country stores. A list of agents is available from the VDGIF website or by calling 1-800-986-2628.