Dry River (A National Forest Gem)

Dry River is arguably one of the best Native Brook Trout fisheries in the State of Virginia.  The USGS and Forest Service Biologists have both stated it is one of the most densely populated Native Trout Streams in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Angler pressure can be heavy at times but if you are willing to get off the beaten path amazing opportunities await within the incredibly beautiful National Forest that surrounds this stream. 

Dry River is publicly accessible for over 14 miles along Route 33 above the small town of Rawley Springs. The water is also classified as a Category B Stocked Trout Stream. (More on that later)

One of the amazing things (of many) about Dry River is that the stream is fishable year around. Cold, Clean, Clear water is discharged from the base of Switzer Dam all year long and it shows with the size of the Natives that call the 14 mile stretch of water home. 

On recent trips, I have been rewarded each time with not only beautiful Brookies but large numbers successfully brought to the net. While I do often see signs of anglers, fishing the same spots as I do, I routinely can stack up double digit catch numbers within just a few hours of fishing.

Dry River also boasts an expansive floodplain for a stream its size which makes casting a long fly rod much easier. Keep in mind though, if heavy rains have plagued the area recently this probably is not your best option as it can be dangerous to wade in heavy flow conditions. 

Fly choices here can range from small streamers (if the water is up), dry flies, nymphs, or even the dreaded squirmy wormy if you are in the mood for the stockie action. My experiences here have shown me that typically the fish are not picky so there is no need for specialty flies. Get as close to what is hatching as you can with your fly and enjoy an incredible day on the water. The holdover stockies usually begin to take on characteristics of the wild fish after a few months so by summer they will be striking dry flies alongside the Brookies you are probably going here to catch. 

Ugly Stocked Brook Trout from January. Note the eroded tail and pale colors. 

Now onto the uglier side of Dry River, as I mentioned earlier Dry River is a Category B Stocked Trout Water. This essentially means it receives 5 stockings of Brook and/or Rainbow Trout each year. There have been many debates over the years regarding stocking hatchery raised trout into wild fish populations. While it is currently acceptable in Virginia and many other Mid- Atlantic States, I do not support the practice. These stockings create a great recreational fishery but do create the potential for the dilution of Native Trout Genes, introduction of diseases into the wild fish population, and also introduces invasive Rainbow Trout into a stream where Native Brook Trout thrive and belong. So if you happen upon a Rainbow Trout or 6 while fishing make sure to take them home with you for supper.

Slate Lick Lake / Slate Lick Run (Class B Stocked Trout)

Slate Lick Lake caught my attention while I was looking for new places to fish around my new home in Harrisonburg, Virginia.  The lake and associated creek are located within the George Washington National Forest northwest of the City of Harrisonburg.  The lake looked intriguing to me for several reasons: it is a stocked Brook Trout Lake, it’s remote, and it’s walk in only. My hope was that the lake could potentially contain some holdovers as well as fish from the recent stockings.

The area surrounding the lake is immensely beautiful.  As I pulled in Saturday morning, the trees were glistening like glass sculptures in the sun from the recent ice storm. I was surprised to find 8 or 9 trucks already in the parking area. Additionally, I was surprised to see the first gate locked. That meant that walk in was going to be roughly 2.5 miles instead of the half mile I had expected. 

Luckily the walk in wasn’t strenuous as I was able to follow a logging road.  The setting of the lake itself is beautiful. The fishing was a little lackluster. I got one giant bite from a 12 to 13” Brookie but a sluggish hookset on my part caused the fish to come unpinned at the bank. As more anglers arrived, I decided to fish the creek as I worked my way back to the truck. 

Slate Lick Lake

Slate Lick Run flows from the base of the dam nearly 2 miles back towards the parking area. The run is littered with tight runs, deep pools, and riffles.  The fishing pressure appeared to have been pretty high on this small stream over the last week, but I was still able to pull one Rainbow Trout out of a narrow run. (Still not 100% sure how he got there? It is supposed to be Brook Trout only.) The fish was staged below a pool tailout, in a narrow run. I let a small streamer drift into the run and the fish slammed it as it drifted behind a small boulder that created a current break. 

Where the Rainbow Trout was caught.

Unfortunately, that fish was the only fish I was able to land Saturday. I am grateful for the opportunity to fish in such a beautiful area and to fully utilize our Nation’s public land system. 

Beautiful little stocked Rainbow

Truthfully though, I doubt this area will be high on my list of places in the valley to return in the pursuit of stocked fish. I prefer the isolation of some other stocked streams closer to home.