By Lee Walker
(With the dog days of summer upon us, it’s time to head for the mountains. The Shenandoah Mountains. Lee Walker suggests these trips for beauty and great fishing.)
Day 1 Morning: The Hughes River
Start your day early in the morning, driving about 40 minutes from Jollette to the Hughes River. You can access some of the best spots on the 14-mile long Hughes via the Skyline Drive, at the Shaver Hollow parking area near milepost 38. The best spots are about 1.8 miles down to the Nicholson Hollow Trail, which runs along the stream. Hiking shoes and waders are essential to fishing this spot. Native brook, brown, and rainbow trout are plentiful and you will have good luck in the early morning hours at this popular spot. Bring your fly rod as imitations of terrestrial insects produce well in the summer months.
Day 1 Afternoon: Rose River trailhead
Considered one of the most beautiful hikes in the Shenandoah you won’t want to leave the Rose River off your itinerary. From Hughes River, drive approximately 40 miles to the Rose River trailhead, stopping in Syria for a late lunch. Park at Fisher’s Gap to access the top. Shortly after starting down the mountain on Rose River Fire Road, you will take the Rose River Loop Trail to the left about a half-mile down the trail, take a blue-blazed trail to the right for 0.5 mile to the stream. You will find a cold, crystal clear freestone stream with an abundance of brook trout. Waders aren’t needed and you will find plenty of space for laying out a nice dry fly drift. After a full day of fishing, spend the night at the Graves Mountain Lodge near Syria.
Day 2 Morning: Staunton River
The fishing along the remote upper part of the Staunton River in can be a real challenge but worth the effort for those trout anglers looking for a stream off the beaten path. The Staunton River can be accessed by following Route 662. Stop at the parking lot at the end of the road and follow Graves Mill Trail to the Staunton River Trail. A feeder to the Rapidan River, the Staunton is not as wide as its neighboring streams but has bountiful hatches that support an excellent population of feisty brook trout. This is a perfect rock-hopping stream that offers pool after pool action. Some of the pools are fairly deep where the current is slow where a weighted nymph can produce good results.
Day 2 Afternoon: The Piney River
From Route 662, drive an hour north to the Piney River via US 29, stopping in Lynchburg for a late lunch and refreshments. The best option for stream accessibility is by parking at the Piney River Ranger Station south of Milepost 22. Hike down Range View Cabin Road to where Piney Branch Trail leads off to the left. This trail follows the stream to the bottom of the mountain. Make sure you reserve lots of time to fish this stream as the best parts of the Piney for fishing are about a 2-hour hike in. But you will be rewarded with abundant trout and beautiful scenery. During early spring and summer, check the water temperature, as it will normally dictate the best fly selection to use for the day. If you choose to park elsewhere along the road, be mindful of the residents that live in this area. There are many nice areas along the stream to camp if you decide to extend your weekend for another day.
Whether you choose to follow our route for the day, the weekend, or longer, you are sure to find abundant fish, few people, and some of the best views in the southeast.
Lee Walker is the Outreach Director for the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries and an avid fly fisherman.