Caddis come in May, and the famous green drake hatch arrives usually in early June. We caught trout until we tired of it, and saw few of the bikers who normally crowd the trail on holiday weekends. Slate Drakes start hatching in late June and continue on through September. The hatch last about a month but is usually not very heavy but enough to get the trouts attention. The hatch last about a month from the lower to the higher elevations. Stream levels are okay and the good winter time hatches of midges, winter stoneflies and BWOs. Whitetop Laurel has one important wild-trout tributary, Beaverdam Creek, which flows northward out of Tennessee to join Whitetop in Damascus. Beyond the scenery, the region is also renowned for celebrating the culture of thru-hiking, famed for . While small-stream fishing is the name of the game in the Whitetop Laurel area, two of the East's premier tailwater fisheries, the Watauga and South Holston, are located less than an hour away. Stream levels are a little high butshould fall down fast.Send us an emailfor a recommended fly list.sales@perfectflystore.com12/21/20 Stream levels are still high.Stocked trout are still being caught alongthe railroad track.01/03/21 Conditions are the same as inthe last report. Whitetop Laurel Creek Fishing Report Updated 04/27/23. Highlights include miniature golf, game room, nature trails, wagon rides, and planned activities. Winter fishing is usually a matter of dead-drifting small generic nymphs like Princes, Pheasant Tails, and Lightning Bugs, as well as smaller #10-12 Woolly Buggers. Was beautiful trail! He adds that most wild rainbow trout range from 9 to 11 inches while brown trout can reach substantially larger sizes. You will have to hike up or down the stream. View Seasonal Observations Submitted to eBird, Site Contact: US Forest Service Mount Rogers National Recreation Area District Office, 276-783-5196, sm.fs.mrnra@usda.gov, 2023 Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. 1-800-594-4726.Whitetop Laurel has a huge, very diverse population of aquatic insects that hatch throughout most of the year. At Taylor's Valley, a road-accessed section of hatchery-supported water divides the two special-regulations areas. 03/13/22 The stream has been fishing good but the fast moving cold front will slow things down until about Tuesday. We received two good reports from customers fishing yesterday. Good hatches are taking place. Brook trout are rumored to be in its headwaters and feeder streams. Its now a very nice hiking trail that follows the Whitetop Laurel Creek for about two miles upstream. 603 and turn right. 06/24/21 Stream levels are down in good shape and we received two good reports yesterday from the wild trout section. At times the trail parallels Whitetop Laurel Creek through a deep narrow gorge where there are both spectacular whitewater rapids and the occasional quiet swimming hole. We received one good report from the wild trout section and two from the stocked section along the road. Getting there takes a few turns out of Damascus. little BWOs and other insects hatching. Located in Washington County in far Southwest Virginia near Damascus and Abingdon, Whitetop features mountainous scenery and classic trout habitat with plunge pools, runs, and pocket water. 09/25/21 Stream levels are a little high. Two special-regulation sections begin here, as well as several spectacular fishing stretches. There are several species that hatch months of the year. The bottom wild trout area runs from just below the lower gate at Taylors Valley down to the confluence with the Straight Branch. We received two good reports from customers fishing the first of last week before the rain in the wild trout section. It doesnt have any of the rails or cross ties remaining. It is a special regulations waterway with both brown and rainbow trout plying its shoals and holes. Eastern Pale Evening Duns start hatching around the first of May and last through June. Check out the full of story of Sage Indendi Johnson's journey from a path towards professional basketball to guiding in Alaska. Looking higher into the trees, black-throated blue and black-and-white warblers and warbling vireos can be found. The special regulation sections are fully accessible recreation facilities with wildlife viewing platforms and streamside wheelchair accessibility making Whitetop Laurel available to all anglers. Those big browns dont have much room to roam when you hook them. During the winter cold-water period, the best flies imitate the nymphs which dominate the trouts diet as this time of year. 728, and turn left. The area along the road is stocked with trout by the state. We have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes that make excellent gifts. Give a Gift The Straight Branch area receives more fishing pressure than Taylor's Valley due to its proximity to Damascus. About two weeks after this hatch starts, the Sulphurs start hatching and last almost two months. Whitetop Laurel Creek is one of the best Virginia trout fishing streams - perfect for Virginia trout adventures whether . 1:32 PM. The activity levels of trout and trout anglers both increase greatly with the arrival of spring. Or, if you prefer digital, our magazines are also available as a, 1275 South Patrick Dr. Suite A-9 | Satellite Beach, FL 32937 | 321.777.2773 |, The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is asking the public, in particular anglers, to report any sightings of any hellbender (water dogs) to the agency. The spinner fishing with these mayfly imitations is especially effective in the late afternoon. Trout arebeing caught in the wild and stockedtrout sectons.05/27/20 Stream levels are still just alittle above normal but trout are beingcaught in both the wild and stockedsections. The Golden Stoneflies start about the last week of May and can hatch until the last week of June. Midges, winterstoneflies and little BWO are the mainfood items.02/20/21 Stream levels are high butstocked trout are being caught alongthe old railroad track in good numbers.03/07/21 Conditions are good a goodnumbers of trout are being caught. All Rights Reserved. Current fly fishing conditions are good! This should be a good coming week. Browns are the main attraction, but there are some nice size rainbows, too, and a few native brook trout, Stovall says. You will find them in the faster water. It flows off the mountain down to the Virginia Creeper area. Damascus, VA 24236 The Whitetop Laurel is a medium size stream with the typical runs, riffles, and pools of water that flows gently down the mountain. While Beaverdam is smaller than Whitetop Laurel, its fishing rivals that of its larger neighbor, especially for wild browns. The colorful leaves along the Virginia Creeper are worth the trip, but the fishing is great as well. The wild trout section is still the best section to fish. I've also often heard small-stream fishing characterized as "easy," almost always by anglers who seldom do it. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 54 min to complete. While Whitetop offers a hike- or bike-in backcountry experience, the best sections of Beaverdam are roadside, via Tennessee 133, in the Cherokee National Forest. We received a good report from a customer fishing two days ago.. 10/27/22 The stream is still in good shape with good hatches. Whitetop Laurel Creek, More Than Just Fishing In addition to the fantastic fly fishing, the area around Whitetop Laurel Creek offers a lot of fun outdoor activities for people visiting Southwest Virginia. Size 14 prince beadhead nymphs will work all year. Green Cove Creek is also special-regulations water for the first mile upstream from Creek Junction. Quill Gordons start about the same time and last about a month. I spent a morning on Whitetop and a major tributary, Green Cove Creek, with Zac Stovall of FeeldTrips Outdoors in Damascus. Whitetop Laurel Fly Fishing Guide:Fly fishing Whitetop Laurel Creek is a pure pleasure. The land, part of the 19th century Mexican land grant of Rancho Caada de Pala, was donated . 03/29/22 Excellent conditions exist. On Whitetop Laurel, where sparse hatches are the rule rather than the exception, hatch matching isn't as important as hatch approximation, where the sporadic hatches require attractor flies. The headwaters are in the Konnarock portion of the Mt. Fall is both an excellent time and a beautiful time to fish the Whitetop Laurel Creek. Fishing Magazine, Coastal Angler & The Angler Magazine is your leading source for freshwater fishing and saltwater fishing videos, fishing photos, saltwater fishing. Caddis come in May, and the famous green drake hatch arrives usually in early June. My wife M. J. and I wanted to avoid crowds on a recent Labor Day weekend and planned a first course of some big Virginia smallmouth bass, followed by Whitetop Laurel Creek trout fishing for dessert. The Wilderness Society has designated the area as a "Mountain Treasure". Learn to tie the RS2 with master tier Charlie Craven. At other times the trail crosses trestles, some of which are more than 500 feet high and afford insanely beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. He adds that most wild rainbow trout range from 9 to 11 inches while brown trout can reach substantially larger sizes. We did a side trip at the north entrance to Whitetop. Within the stocked portions of the stream there is a seven-inch size limit, a six fish per day creel and a trout license required from October 1, through June 15 in addition to the statewide freshwater fishing license. Look for larger browns up to 20 inches or more sulking around logjams, undercut banks, and boulders. Virginia Creeper Trail (276-783-5196). The wild trout section is the section right now. Little Brown Stoneflies (actually in the same family as the Little Blacks) hatch in March and until the middle of April. November 19, 2019 by Gary Alan. The ride starts high and descends to Whitetop Laurel Creek, crossing numerous trestles along the way. This is a popular trail for backpacking, birding, and camping, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Some spots you would be right next to the river. Share. Learn to tie the Woolly Bugger fly with master tier Charlie Craven. The South Holston tailwater near Johnson City, Tennessee, is considered by many to be one of the best wild brown trout fisheries in the country. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. Use the Blue Winged Olive, Giant Black Stonefly, and theterrestrial patterns later in the summer. Tennessee Laurel Creek is another small tributary that joins Whitetop in Damascus. 03/21/22 The stream is flowing near a normal level in good shape with hatches of Quill Gordons, Blue Quills, Little Black Caddis, Blue-winged olives, and Little Brown stoneflies. While most anglers who fish the special regulation waters use fly fishing gear, spinning tackle can also be very effective. The Watauga River is the smaller of the two, accessible from the town of Elizabethton, Tennessee, and is known for its hatchery-supported rainbow trout fishing. The stream is a little below normal. Bull#$%. After Stovall and I finished plying Whitetop Laurel, we went to Green Cove Creek and caught rainbows, considerably lessening my misery about losing the large brown. All the standard fly fishing tactics are applicable as insect hatches swing into action. However, access is limited, and visitors must obtain landowner permission if they have to cross private property to reach the water. Stovall agrees with the biologist about the length and girth of Whitetops browns. Give it a day or two to drop. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Through tagging and conservation efforts, the quality of many historic bonefish fisheries is improving, as is our understanding of the species' movements and patterns. My wife and I stayed and dined at the inn, which lies on the banks of Whitetop Laurel. Virginia Creeper Trail: Damascus to Whitetop, Virginia Creeper National Recreational Trail, Appalachian Trail: Buzzard Rock via Beech Mountain Road, Elk Garden to Buzzard Rock via Appalachian Trail, Pond Mountain Trail to Pond Mtn, Stone Mtn, and VA-NC-TN Tri-point, Appalachian Trail: US-58 Summit Cut to Mt. 04/24/21 The stream levels are in good shape and we are getting good reports from the section along the road and the wild trout section. Their elusive behavior, expert camouflage and skittish personalities make bonefish the quintessential poster child for shallow water sight-fishing. 07/16/21 The stream level is near normal and the creek in good shape. Virginia Creeper Trail (276-783-5196). As a fly fisherman, I'm going to tell you something that I shouldn't. I hate to publish this. Phone: 540-783-4860. East of Damascus, the trail parallels Whitetop Laurel Creek, one of the state's best streams for stocked trout. 11/11/21 Good hatches continue and the stream levels are down in good shape and clear. Because of the prolific nature of the winter stonefly hatches, pay close attention to the possibility of good mid-winter dry-fly fishing during periods of low water and warmer weather. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. These are the most important caddisflies. So you need a rod with a little give.. Whitetop Laurel is the primary fishing stream of the recreation area's west end. The levels are a little low. There are even wheelchair accessible pools where anglers can roll their chairs along wooden rails to prime pools. Whitetop Laurel Creek is often called Virginia's finest trout stream. For information about the Town of Damascus, please contact: The Town of Damascus 12/06/20 Lots of trout are being caughtalong the railroad track in the stockedsection. Other patterns such as ants, beetles, Parachute Adams, and #12-14 Stimulators work equally well or better on Whitetop Laurel, depending on the season and water level. Harry Murray's springtime Virginia Wulff flythe Mr. Rapidanis the best-known example. Trout University will never recommend a generic fly either! Good hatches continue. There are no facilities offered on the stocked portions of Whitetop Laurel and limited roadside parking available on route 58. This stocked stream flows northward from Tennessee, offering good last-minute roadside fishing. Beautiful scenery whitetop station down to Damascus. But as pristine as the setting is, the Virginia Creeper Trail runs along much of the stream, making it one of the most accessible wild trout fisheries in the state. It can last for six weeks. 01/28/23 The stream is turning out some good catches in the stocked and wild trout sections. We are getting good reports from customers fishing the stocked and wild trout sections. Nice trail and almost always in shade from the trees. Coordinates: 36.63514, -81.79206 From I-81, take Exit #19 onto US 58 East. The latest Costa Film "Hooked On: Bonefish" explores the pursuit of this prized gamefish, which requires expert marksmanship and delicate execution to be successful. P.O. Doable by almost anyone who can ride a bike, even kids. Current Weather. Take AT southbound to Beartree Gap trail and retrace steps back to the parking lot. Within the special regulation sections of Whitetop Laurel the stream is managed as catch and release, in addition to a single hook artificial lure only regulation. We received three good reports from customer fishing the wild and stocked sections in the last few days. Group campsites available. Anglers can fish for both stocked and wild stream-bred trout on this stream. The pocket water areas have a lot of conflicting currents and the more fly line you can keep out of the water, the better off you are. We have been getting lots of good reports from customers fishing the stocked and the wild trout sections. Both streams will make you understand why the long drive to this area of the state is well worth it. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. We are getting great reports. 02/17/22 The stream is flowing a little below normal level in good shape. We are getting good reports. The pH of the water is good and there are several mayflies and caddisflies that reside in the creek that you wouldnt expect to find in most Eastern Appalachian mountain freestone streams. The creek is located in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, so there are lots of other activities nearby if you want to make a day of it. It offers easy to access areas with stocked trout as well as lots wild trout in secluded areas you can access with a little effort. While rainbows dominate the Taylor's Valley section, browns appear in equally high numbers down to Straight Branch. We are conveniently located 1 mile from Wolf Lake, 8 miles from Irish Hills, and 12 miles from Michigan Int'l Speedway.

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