I like to hit them during the summer with small hopper and beetle patterns, which the trout slurp with amazing regularity. 06/24/21 Stream levels are down in good shape and we received two good reports yesterday from the wild trout section. Take AT southbound to Beartree Gap trail and retrace steps back to the parking lot. 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. Both the stocked and wild trout sections should turn out some trout. Trout are being caught in good numbers in both the stocked and wild trout sections. 01/23/2020 Sorry for the missed reports.Currently, stream levels are down to goodlevels and lots of trout are being caught bythe few fishing.02/16/2020 Stream levels are a littleabove normal but falling. There are good hatches taking place. The long days of summer bring low, clear flows, and anglers must adjust accordingly to be successful. More than 6 miles of the creek are designated as wild-trout waters. Whitetop Laurel Creek | Natural Atlas 1. Recently, I spent a morning on Whitetop and a major tributary, Green Cove Creek, with Zac Stovall of FeeldTrips Outdoors in Damascus. There are several ways to make this double tackle, but this , 2023 Coastal Angler Magazine Franchising, Inc. All Rights Reserved, https://dwr.virginia.gov/waterbody/whitetop-laurel-creek/, Enter To Win A Sea Eagle FishSkiff 16 With A Suzuki DF4 Outboard. 11/10/22 Stream levels are just a little below normal but okay. Highlights: Downhill bike ride, waterfalls on Whitetop Laurel Creek Get a shuttle to the top at 3,400 feet then enjoy this almost all downhill run on the Virginia Creeper Trail. Some of the best fishing in both the stocked and the wild trout areas is during the surfer hatch which seems to last a long time. For more information: https://dwr.virginia.gov/waterbody/whitetop-laurel-creek/, https://dwr.virginia.gov/waterbody/whitetop-laurel-creek/, Whitetop Laurel: Virginias Most Unique Trout Stream, 2023 Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. 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 High Stickin method of nymphing works great in this stream. Whitetop Laurel Creek Location:Washington County, VA Available Fish: Wild and Stocked Rainbow and Brown Trout Access: From I-81 south take exit 29 (Glade Spring) to 91 east towards Damascus, in Damascus take 58 east. The ride starts high and descends to Whitetop Laurel Creek, crossing numerous trestles along the way. Its a beautiful, medium size stream with the typical run, riffle, pool type water that flows down the mountain. Another special-regulations section is the 2 miles below Boone Campsite to the Straight Branch trailhead, located only 3 miles from Damascus on U.S. Highway 58. Ultra-light gear in conjunction with small jigs and single-hook spinners can catch trout in all seasons and water conditions. Late spring brings early hatches of Yellow Sallies, and Whitetop Laurel trout hammer #14 Dirty Salliesdark versions of Mike Lawson's Henry's Fork Yellow Sallyall day long. Rising in the confines of the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, Whitetop Laurel Creek begins as two tiny feeder streams: Little Laurel and Big Laurel. Green Cove Creek off Whitetop Laurel - YouTube Box 56 The creek runs through dense rhododendron thickets with old white pine towering over the creek banks. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. For information about the Town of Damascus, please contact: The Town of Damascus | Learn to tie the Sparkle Caddis Pupa with master tier Charlie Craven. The area along the road is stocked with trout by the state. Fly Fishing Whitetop Laurel Creek VirginiaIt seems like theres a Laurel Creek everywhere there are trout streams in the Eastern United States. Its now a very nice hiking trail that follows the Whitetop Laurel Creek for about two miles upstream. Learn to tie the Woolly Bugger fly with master tier Charlie Craven. Apple Creek Campground | Michigan Whitetop Laurel: Virginia's Most Unique Trout Stream At the Whitetop Laurel Fishing and Viewing Area, the Appalachian Trail and the Virginia Creeper Trail converge, providing easy access to the surrounding forests. Call or send us an email for a recommended fly list. So you need a rod with a little give.. The wild trout section is the section right now. Abingdon Virginia | The Appalachian Trail in Southwest Virginia A few burly sets of Perfect Rubber legs, a bit of soft hackle, a pinch or two of dubbing and you have a bug that brings a smile to your face. Marion, VA 23454 Beyond the scenery, the region is also renowned for celebrating the culture of thru-hiking, famed for . Light Cahills, March Browns and Slate drakes are hatching. Virginia Creeper Trail - Damascus | Virginia DWR 01/08/22 The stream is near a normal level in good shape. 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. A freshwater fishing license and National Forest Permit is needed to fish the two special regulation sections. 19/15/21 Stream levels are in okay shape again with clear water. 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. The Hendricksons start hatching about the first of April. 05/28/22 The stream level is up due to recent rain but should fall back down soon. There are a few Grannon Caddisflies that hatch in March. Good hatches, Quill Gordons, Blue Quills, LIttle Brown stoneflies and Little Black Caddis are hatching. There is a second hatch that occurs in October and early November. 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. The best hatches start in February and last through June. Lots of BWOs, Midges creams and sculpin streamers are working good. At our first stop, I promptly lost one of those substantially larger size browns that Owens referred to. 04/06/22 The stream is on the way up due to recent rain but we have been getting good reports from the wild and stocked sections. They are not only the most realistic imitations you can purchase, they are the most effective flies you can buy. The special regulation sections of Whitetop Laurel have parking areas, restroom facilities, and information postings provided by the U. S. Forest Service at the top portion of the upper special regulation area and the ending portion of the lower area. 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. 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. Good numbers of trout are being caught in the stocked section along the road and track. Getting there takes a few turns out of Damascus. 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. Whitetop Laurel Fishing and Viewing Area | Virginia DWR Emailus at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. Use caution to stay hidden from the trout. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Go through Damascus and continue on Highway 58 for approximately 9 miles to a sharp right turn off Highway 58 that leads down to the Creek Junction Accessible Parking Area on the Virginia Creeper Trail. While Beaverdam is smaller than Whitetop Laurel, its fishing rivals that of its larger neighbor, especially for wild browns. They have proven to work great on Whitetop Laurel Creek on many occasions. Charlie Craven is giving step by step instructions for tying the Perdigon Fly. Whitetop Laurel Creek, Virginia Fishing Report. Both parking areas are can be accessed from route 58. Parking areas have maps and trail information on display. 8 Trout Stream Destinations to Try in 2021 | Virginia DWR Caddis come in May, and the famous green drake hatch arrives usually in early June. The lower special regulation area runs from the lower gate in Taylors Valley down stream to Straight Branch, a small tributary stream. Sections of Whitetop Laurel that are not adjacent to 58 east are easily accessed from the Virginia Creeper Trail. Whitetop Laurel just might be the most unique trout stream in the Old Dominion. How to Remove Wind Knots and Snarls from Leaders and Tippet, Temps for Trout: How to Catch Fish that Behave Hot n Cold, Managing Menhaden: The Most Important Fish in the Sea, Costa Films Presents Hooked On: Bonefish, Pharmaceutical Pollution Threatens Florida's Shallow-Water Fish. 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. Most stocked trout range from 10 to 14 inches. Summer:We suggest you fish the higher elevationsin the summer months.Fall:Fall is an excellent and a beautiful time tofish the Whitetop Laurel Creek.Winter:The trout can be caught throughout thewinter months on warm days. This is one of the better hatches of the Whitetop Laurel Creek. 1-800-594-4726.Whitetop Laurel has a huge, very diverse population of aquatic insects that hatch throughout most of the year. Experience this 11.6-mile out-and-back trail near Damascus, Virginia. They start about the first of March and can last until the middle of April. 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. Obtenha o trajeto, encontre empresas e locais prximos e muito mais. We received one good report from a customer fishing this past week. However, access is limited, and visitors must obtain landowner permission if they have to cross private property to reach the water. At our first stop, I promptly lost one of those substantially larger size browns that Owens referred to. Seasons:Fly fishing Whitetop Laural Creek isyear-round business for the locals. 05/08/22 Stream levels are up but falling back down fast. Coastal Angler Magazine and our interior (freshwater) publication, The Angler Magazine, are monthly editions dedicated to fishing, boating, and outdoor enthusiasts. Reviews (30) Photos (324) Activities (27) Completed (41) 5: 4: 3: 2: 1: 4.8. Light Cahills and Little Yellow stoneflies are also starting to hatch in addition to other insects. Use the Blue Winged Olive, Giant Black Stonefly, and theterrestrial patterns later in the summer. Fishing from the banks is usually easy and the stream can be waded easily, but be careful as some pools are rather deep. Some spots you would be right next to the river. Group campsites available. Above the Straight Branch tributary, Whitetop Laurel is a native trout stream. Whitetop Laurel is a large trout stream located in Washington County near the town of Damascus. Good hatches are taking place. Stovall says he prefers a 3-weight fly rod with a 7-foot, 6-x leader for Whitetop and Green Cove Creek. The Whitetop Laurel is one of the better freestone stream in the State of Virginia. Good winter stonefly and midge hatches continue. During the winter cold-water period, the best flies imitate the nymphs which dominate the trouts diet as this time of year. There is a 12-inch minimum size limit using artificial lures only, with a number limit of 6 per day. Purple, red and silver bands seem to attract trout any time. There is more rain coming the next two days and it will likely be high. Elevation: 2685 ft. Special regulations start again at the Daniel Boone Campsite on the Creeper Trailwhere Boone really did sleepat the boundary of Jefferson National Forest. 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. 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. These large mayflies are very important to imitate. A now retired fly-fishing magazine editor once told me, "The crowds go out West and fish elbow-to-elbow on the Big Hole, and leave the Southeast deserted for people like you and me.".