I haven’t done any fishing this year! Mainly because my knees have been giving me some trouble. Slippery rocks in moving water may not be the best place to try them out until they are in better working order. I hope to grab my new fishing vest and give it a go very soon. This month, I’ll tell you about one of my favorite places to fish, and it doesn’t even depend on the stocking schedule.
The North River Gorge is about an hour away and requires a lot of walking to do it justice. The trek from top to bottom is about 4 miles. Trout are stocked below Staunton Dam and at the lower end of the gorge near Girl Scout Camp May Flather. The area in between is completely isolated and has some of the most pristine trout fishing water I have ever seen. There are stretches of riffles between huge boulders and deep pools that never seem to end. Because trout have been stocked above and below the gorge for many years, holdover trout have spread throughout the entire 4 miles, and it’s not unusual to catch a few natives. I always catch and release on those day trips so I don’t have to carry a stringer of fish, or worry about a limit.
Of course, you can start fishing as soon as you get to the stocked areas of the gorge, but as far as I’m concerned, the best fishing is beyond where most people tread. From the campground at the top, I like to walk the road/trail about a half a mile to the second stream crossing. Most people don’t travel that far so the trout haven’t been bothered as much and are usually quick to bite.
At the bottom of the gorge, you can park at a pull-off and follow the trail off the steep point of the ridge, or drive a little farther and walk in by way of a gated National Forest road. After wading across North River, continue upstream to the next stream crossing. In all, this is about a mile walk, but as far as I am concerned, that is where the best fishing begins.
Another option is to take two vehicles and fish the whole way through. If you do thi, it’s definitely an all day trip. I have never been able to properly fish the full length of the gorge in a day. There is just too much beautiful trout water. You either run out of time or get tired and have to hoof it out to the truck. But at least you don’t have to cover the same ground twice.
A good way to scout it out before you fish is to hike the North River Gorge Trail. It follows the stream for 4.2 miles with nine river crossings, and if I remember correctly, there is even a swampy area to explore.
The stocked areas are relatively safe to fish alone, but it’s best not to fish deeper into the gorge without a companion. The middle portion of the gorge is very isolated, and it would be difficult to find you if there were a problem. Back when we fished it, there were no cell phones, and I doubt there is cell service between the steep ridges now. One of my first articles was about how a fishing buddy and I almost stepped on a big rattlesnake stretched across the road while speed walking out at the end of the day. I would suggest wearing hip boots for wading and protection from brush and snakes.
If you are in decent shape, enjoy the outdoors, and like to get away from the beaten path, you may want to check it out. I don’t think you will be disappointed.
R.D. Cullers
Graduate of Bergton Elementary (Class of ’65)
