West Fork of the Little River

Stream Category: B

Wild Trout: None

Stocked Trout: Rainbow

Other Species of Note: None

Gear:

Dry Flies: Adams, Terrestrials 

Nymphs: Prince, Hares Ear, Pheasant Tails, Squirmy Wormies, Mop Flies

Streamers: Minnow Patterns, Wooly Buggers

Waders: Yes

Net: Yes

Wading Stick: No

Casting: Overhead, Roll, and Tuck 

About:

If you can find the West Fork of the Little River than you are doing better than most, it took me almost two years of searching back roads and looking at overhead maps to find exactly how to find it. As for fishing this creek I really can not say much because I haven’t fished it but once. It really wasn’t that good in the area that I fished because of low water conditions. Also there is a very long section that goes through a farm that I never got to explore. Hopefully one day I can provide more information on this str3e

Directions:

Rush Fork

Stream Category: C

Wild Trout: None

Stocked Trout: Rainbow and Brook

Other Species of Note: None

Gear:

Dry Flies: Adams, Terrestrials 

Nymphs: Prince, Hares Ear, Pheasant Tails, Squirmy Wormies, Mop Flies

Streamers: Minnow Patterns, Wooly Buggers

Waders: Yes

Net: Yes

Wading Stick: No

Casting: Overhead, Roll, and Tuck 

About:

Rush Fork might be one of the most interesting and cutest, yes I said cutest (don’t judge me), streams in Floyd County. A large majority of the stream will require you to walk through farmers fields to access the stream. Fortunately you do not have to have their permission to do this, and no permit is required. However please be aware that these fields have animals in them and that they can get out if you leave gates open. Also please do not litter, pack out what you pack in. If you lose a fly to a branch, please retrieve it if possible. Pretty much what I am getting at is we want to keep these farmers happy, if we keep them happy then they will continue to let us fishermen use their property.

 

As farmer as fishing, well Rush Fork is not the most idealistic place to fish unless there is a decent flow of water. When it is really shallow the creek in most places is almost non-existent, but when the stream is high it flows just like any other stream. However since this is a small spring fed stream you need to fish it like a spring creek. Sight fish and stay as far away from the creek bank as possible, a long nymphing rod will do wonders on this creek. Also if you see grasshoppers or any other terrestrials in the field, definitely use a hopper or terrestrial pattern. I wouldn’t even attempt to use streamers on this creek. Even if the stream is high water, it is usually crystal clear so you need to be as far away from the bank as possible.

 

Additional Comments:

There are not many pull off spots on this creek. Be mindful that the access to this stream is provided by farmers, so do not block any gates and make sure you shut them.

Directions:

Little River

Stream Category: Put and Take – A

Wild Trout: 

Stocked Trout: 

Other Species of Note: None

Gear:

Dry Flies: Adams, Caddis

Nymphs: Stone Flies, Pheasant Tail, Prince, Hares, Midges, Mop Flies, and Squirmmy Wormies

Streamers: Kreelex, Minnow Patterns 

Waders: Yes

Net: Yes

Kayak: Yes

Rod: Switch

Casting: Overhead, Tuck, and Roll.

About:

Everything about where the stock this section is of the Little River drives me nuts, honestly whomever decided to stock this section needs to be beat with fishing rod, a heavy salt water fishing rod… backwards with a reel on it. The Little River, depending on where you are at can be sandy or freestone, but in this area it is very sandy. 

Unless you can over head or roll cast very far, or have a switch/spey rod, or a kayak it is pointless to fish in this area as one fly fisherman to another. From one side of the river to the other, it is at least 30 to 40 yards, and the water here is just too deep to wade. Realistically the state should put a kayak/raft ramp in right where they stock and one every two or three miles down the river. Then it should change this section to be a catch and release only or delayed harvest area, that can only be fished by raft or kayak. 

No I do not recommend this stream to any fly fishermen unless you meet the criteria above

Additional Notes: 

Hardly any parking, just pull off the best you can and hope for the best.

Directions:

Burks Fork

Stream Category: Put and Take -A

Wild Trout: Brook and Brown

Stocked Trout: Rainbow and Brown

Other Species of Note: None

Gear:

Dry Flies: Adams, Caddis

Nymphs: Stone Flies, Pheasant Tail, Prince, Hares, Midges, Mop Flies, and Squirmmy Wormies, Grey Scuds

Streamers: Kreelex, Minnow Patterns 

Waders: Yes

Net: Yes

Casting: Overhead, Tuck, and Roll.

About:

Burks Fork reminds me a lot like Laurel Fork, not to mention they are really not that far from each other. Just like Laurel Fork Brush Fork is a mountain spring fed, sandy bottom stream that goes right through farm land. The only difference I seen is that Brush Fork is a bit wider than Laurel Fork in some spots and a hell of lot narrow in others. Like Laurel Fork, the land owners are letting the public fish this area, so please take care of it. 

Like Laurel Fork, be prepared to euro nymph a lot, this is not a fly fishing stream until you get below the last bridge where there is a small ungated parking lot. Also be prepared for a lot of debris from fallen trees and there limbs. 

Additional Notes: 

Not many pull spots at the low water bridge but at the other end where the state stops stocking, there is an ungated pull in area, just don’t be a jackass and tear these farmers land up. Also take out what you put in.

Directions:

Little Indian Creek

Stream Category: Put and Take – B

Wild Trout: 

Stocked Trout: Rainbow and Brook

Other Species of Note: None

Gear:

Dry Flies: Adams, Caddis

Nymphs: Stone Flies, Pheasant Tail, Prince, Hares, Midges, Mop Flies, and Squirmmy Wormies, Grey Scuds

Streamers: Kreelex, Minnow Patterns 

Waders: Yes

Net: Yes

Casting: Overhead, Tuck, and Roll.

About:

This might be the most hidden jewel of Floyd counties fisheries, at least when it comes to trout fishing. Even though I wish every stream could be catch and release/wild trout, I am willing to let this one be open for everyone. The pure size of fishable water of Little Indian Creek is amazing. It is definitely a freestone stream with a lot of boulders, large holes, big drop offs, long runs, fast runs. Etc. you name it Little Indian Creek has it. 

What I also like is its location, it is not far from Floyd or Christiansburg, is almost dead in the middle. The only problem that I see with the stream is the amount of trash located around it, to have such a beautiful stream is such a great thing; but to have to climb over tires, watch out for hidden glass, and metal chaps my ass. But don’t let these things hinder you from coming here to fish. You will not be disappointed (well as long as you don’t step on glass or rip your waders). 

It is sort of funny, when I first started this website I really didn’t mind the trash that much, or push for its removal. However now that I am apart of Trout Unlimited seeing streams like this infuriates me, whatever chapter is in charge of Floyd County should see to cleaning it up, with a handful of volunteers with trash bags this stream could be sparkling clean. Yes you might have to do it at least twice a year, but I feel that it would be worth it. By the way this is a big hint to the chapter that is over Floyd County, or to chapters that are close by that would love to have a nice area to fish.

Additional Notes: 

There are several pull off spots along Little Indian Creek, just make sure you are off of the road completely, people tend to fly on this road.

Directions:

Laurel Fork

Stream Category: Put and Take B

Wild Trout: 

Stocked Trout: Brown and Brook

Other Species of Note: None

Gear:

Dry Flies: Adams, Caddis

Nymphs: Stone Flies, Pheasant Tail, Prince, Hares, Midges, Mop Flies, and Squirmmy Wormies, 

Streamers: Kreelex, Minnow Patterns 

Waders: Yes

Net: Yes

Casting: Overhead, Tuck, and Roll.

About:

Ok so I might be a tad bit biased when it comes to this stream; mainly because I grew up five minutes away from this stream, and it is fed by the pond at Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Not to mention the fact that the stream is on private property and the owners let people fish it, my hat goes off to you people. 

For the majority of the stream you can walk it in an open field, just be aware that there are live stock in these fields, and that you should always close a gate that you have to open. As for the stream, it is a traditional mountain spring fed, sandy bottom stream that meanders slowly through farm land. When there is not a lot of rain, the stream runs slow, however after a good rain this stream runs fast. 

The fishing can be tough because of the bushes located all along of the stream bead, but if you are using a euro nymph set up you should be fine. On other parts of the stream, it opens up and you can use just about any cast. 

Apparently this stream was once a wild brook and brown trout streams, sadly though that is not the case. However this stream, along with Mabry Mill Pond, would be an excellent project for Trout Unlimited to look into restoring as a wild trout area, as long as the Federal Government/VDGIF/and the land owners would allow it. Honestly it is my firm belief that it could be a top destination to those that like to fish along the Blue Ridge Parkway and it would go with both the Parkway’s and the State of Virginia’s wish for tourism in this area. 

Additional Notes: 

There are not a lot of parking places, please be mindful of where you park (making sure you are not on in the road, and not on posted property). Also take out what you bring in, let us keep these landowners happy so that we can continue to enjoy this stream.

Directions:

Goose Creek

Stream Category: B

Wild Trout: None

Stocked Trout: Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout

Gear:

Dry Flies: Adams, Caddis, Midges

Nymphs: Midges, Pheasant Tail, Hares Ear, Prince, Stoneflies

Streamers: Wooly Bugger, Minnow Patterns

Waders: Yes

Net: Yes

Casting: Roll, Over Head, and Tuck

About:

Goose Creek, which is really the South Fork of the Roanoke River, is a fishermen’s dream. So many deep pools, fast runs, and long runs. Not to mention it is mostly a limestone creek- yep I geeked out the first time I went to Goose Creek.

Located minutes outside of Salem, near the town of Shawsville, this stream is a must to fish. Be prepared to hike over boulders in certain spots, the creek is almost in a small gorge like area. I would also bring a wading stick with you, just to make sure you have to hike across the stream, it tends to move very fast in certain areas.

Additional Notes:

Please be mindful in regards to parking, the landowners are very generous to allow the State of Virginia to stock this stream. If you see a NO PARKING sign, then do the right thing and don’t park there. There are several places to pull off on the side of the road, just make sure your vehicle is off the road completely, several large farming trucks use this road and they do not go slow.

Directions: