In the bible, God once told Moses to take off his sandals because the place on which the Great Lawmaker was standing was holy ground. There is a spot in West Virginia’s Grant County that I feel that way about. It’s holy ground, indeed, where God did some of his very best work. In fact, I think maybe He was showing off a little. This is spectacular country.
The South Branch of the North Fork of the Potomac River in Grant County draws me like a magnet when I come to spend time at Harmon’s Cottages to fish or hunt – or just plain relax. But I never come when the beauty of these magnificent mountains does not overwhelm me.
Harmon’s North Fork Cottages is a cluster of 20 luxurious log cabins where guests come for peace, privacy and numerous outdoor opportunities. The cabins are located on the banks of the South Branch of the North Fork of the Potomac River. Trout are stocked on a regular basis in this private section of water. It’s fishing on a “catch and release” basis, but because of these special regulations, there are always fish to be caught. Nearby, are some of the great trout streams in the eastern part of the United States, most notably the famed “Smoke Hole” on the South Branch of the Potomac.
“More trophy-sized trout are caught at Smoke Hole than in any other stream in West Virginia,” stated Todd Harmon, the owner of the North Fork Cottages. At the end of each season, the local fishing store will have hundreds of pictures of trout over 20-inches on their bulletin board.”
Located in the sprawling Monongahela National Forest, the Smoke Hole Canyon was formed about 185 million years ago when a sheet of rocks began to buckle and fold. The plains of that area were displaced when the ground beneath began a violent swell that formed deep gorges, one of which is now called Smoke Hole Canyon. Millions of years after its formation, the mighty Potomac River has filled the base of the canyon with over 20 miles of cold, rushing waters with steep rock ledges forming the sides. This is a trout stream straight from heaven.
During the season, the South Branch of the Potomac at Smoke Hole is stocked every single week with trout. With three hatcheries close by, the Mountain State sees to it that many brood fish are introduced here because there is less wear and tear to deliver a trophy fish on a twenty minute drive than on one that takes two or three hours. The waters are rich aquatically and hold trout very well. There is a one-mile stretch at Smoke Hole reserved for fly fishermen that I would rank as the best public access fishing in the world, at least the world as I know it. It’s a high gradient stretch with pool after pool holding huge brown, rainbow and brook trout. But even on the put and take section, I would hazard a prediction that any decent angler under ordinary conditions could catch a limit of trout in Smoke Hole Canyon on most any day of the year.
Some say that Smoke Hole got its name from the many Indian camps that were once part of the canyon. Smoke rising from the encampments filled the sky for miles around. The mist and fog that frequently hang over the canyon also lend an appropriate description for the name Smoke Hole.
But a visit to Grant County in the western panhandle of the Mountain State can mean more than just fishing and sight seeing. This is prime, big game hunting habitat where guests of Harmon’s Cottages have unique opportunities.
The Harmon’s family owns a secluded 500-acre mountaintop called Richwoods that is almost entirely surrounded by primitive National Forest land. It’s a special place where cabin guests, along with an experienced local guide, can set up on one of the many spring gobblers that strut across the fields and hardwoods at Richwoods. West Virginia’s Spring Gobbler season runs a few weeks behind that of Virginia, kicking off in late April and concluding four weeks later. A morning turkey hunt followed by a guided trip for trout to Smoke Hole or on the South Branch would certainly make a day to remember.
Or, if a hunter doesn’t need a guide, there are thousands of acres of public land available within walking distance or a short drive from Harmon’s Cottages. And the South Branch is at the doorsteps of your cabin.
Another must-visit site when staying at Harmon’s Cottages is the nearby Dolly Sods Scenic Area. So named for Dolly Sods Mountain, this 2,000 acre mountaintop parcel contains numerous forms of plant life that do not exist south of Canada and even further north. The earth in many places is boggy, thus the name “sods.” The view from the top of Dolly Sods Mountain scanning across the South Branch Valley is numbing in beauty. There are also numerous trails and picnic areas as well as overlooks for visitors to enjoy. It is truly a humbling experience to try to absorb the majesty of this part of the great creation.
As you can well imagine, Harmon’s North Fork Cottages is a popular destination. If you would like to visit, I recommend you reserve a cabin well in advance, and if at all possible, come in on Sunday and stay through mid-week. You’re more likely to get a reservation then and the fishing (and hunting) will be much better without the competition from other sportsmen. For reservations or information, call 1-800-436-6254 or go to www.wvlogcabins.com.
There are so many beautiful places in this world, it’s a shame we can’t visit them all. Time simply does not allow it. But if you ever get the opportunity, take a drive to Grant County, about 60 miles west of Harrisonburg, and spend a few days at Harmon’s North Fork Cottages.