Roaring Run

Stream Category: B  and Special Regulation Water

Wild Trout: Brook, Brown, and Rainbow Trout

Gear:

· Dry Flies: Adams, BWO, Terrestrials, Stimulators, Royal Wulff, and Caddis

· Nymphs : Pheasant Tail, Hares Ear, Copper John, Prince, Zebra Midge, and Soft Hackles

· Streamers: Wooly Bugger

· Rod: 7’

· Waders: Chest

· Net: No

· Polarized fishing sunglasses

Casting: Back, Side, and Roll Casts

About:

Roaring Run is very similar to Little Stony Creek in Giles County, not only in the way the stream flows but also because of its native trout population and its friendliness to fly fisherman. The difference between the Little Stony Creek and Roaring Run is that Roaring Run is not an easily accessible stream, because of this it does not receive the same traffic as Little Stony Creek. Also Roaring Run still receives stocking from the state of Virginia, some of the fingerling trout are apart of Trout Unlimited’s “Trout in the Classroom” program.

From what I have learned Roaring Run used to be a very heavily trafficked stream for both spin fishermen and fly fishermen, even now it’s special regulation water is known for its trophy trout water. However only one citation or ”trophy trout” was caught in the 2013-2014 season according to Virginia’s Department of Game and Inland Fisheries website. From what I have personally seen the trout in this stream are far from what I would call trophies, though there are several areas that could easily hold trophy trout.

So here comes the problem with planning; when going to Roaring Run prepare as if you were going to Little Stony Creek, bring a small fly rod (7’) that you can easily cast with under brush and rhododendrons.  However make sure that your fly rod is at least a 5 weight with a 4 to 5 weight tippet and leader, any smaller you run the risk of losing any trophy trout you encounter. For the most part you will only encounter five to ten inch trout. Also you should choose which style you are going to fish before starting to fish, personally I like to dry fly fish from the parking lot up to falls, from there I like to switch to nymphs back to the parking lot. I only use streamers in the larger holes.

Additional Notes and Precautions:

Besides the distance from any major cities Roaring Run is a fantastic stream. Just remember this fact, make sure you have enough gas to get there and back, take plenty of food, water, and definitely make sure you take a med kit. Cell phone service here is very spotty, if you are using GPS to get to Roaring Run make sure to print off directions back to where you started or back track using the directions below.

Directions:

From Main Street in Blacksburg:

Take Main Street to US-460 E. Once on US-460 E continue until you reach I81 N. Continue on I81 until you reach Exit 150B US11-N/Us-220 N. Once on US-220n continue for 27.9 miles the turn left onto State Rte 615. Continue on State Rte 615 for 5.5 miles then turn right onto State Rte 621. Roaring Run will be approximately be .3 miles on you left.

From I81 in Roanoke:

Take I81 to Exit 150B US11-N/Us-220 N. Once on US-220n continue for 27.9 miles the turn left onto State Rte 615. Continue on State Rte 615 for 5.5 miles then turn right onto State Rte 621. Roaring Run will be approximately be .3 miles on you left.