By Timothy Caudill, North Fork Fly Shop Manager and Head of Guide Services.
The North Fork River, at Harmans Luxury Log Cabins, offers fantastic early spring fly fishing opportunities as the water warms and trout become active. Here are some personalized tips to maximize your success:
GEAR:
FLIES:
TECHNIQUES:
ADDITIONAL TIPS:
Remember, fly fishing is about enjoying the outdoors and the possibility of reeling in a big one. Adapt your approach based on conditions, experiment with different flies, and most importantly, have fun exploring our private, 2 miles of the beautiful North Fork River.
The web links to river gauges for all of West Virginia are listed below:
Looking for the best trout streams in WV? You’ve come to the right spot!
The Mountain State is home to a plethora of Appalachia’s most popular fly-fishing destinations, with streams brimming with trout and many other types of fish near our fly fishing cabins. Each stream listed below has its own unique features, surprises, and types of trout to be caught. Anglers of all skill levels will have no problem enjoying a day of fishing at one of these streams!
Explore West Virginia’s best trout streams below.
Where: Harman’s Luxury Log Cabins
Anglers can enjoy a serene fly fishing experience along the private, two-mile portion of the North Fork when booked through Harman’s Luxury Log Cabins. Our West Virginia fly fishing cabins are just steps from the two-mile stretch that’s home to beautiful trout year-round, including golden, brown, and brook trout. The catch-and-release stream is available to guests only.
The river is quite peaceful, making it a great spot for all ages and skill levels. The North Fork portion of the area is easily accessible with plenty of parking along the river. The water is perfect for wading and has several large pools, riffles, and fast runs.
Learn more about trout fishing at Harman’s Luxury Log Cabins.
Where: Petersburg, WV
Distance from Harman’s: 13 miles
Located just 5 miles from Petersburg, West Virginia, North Fork of Lunice Creek is stocked with trout fish from February to May each year. Anglers may also find largemouth bass. The stream is just a 19 minute drive from our fly fishing cabins. The creek is also a short 18 minute drive from downtown Petersburg. Because WV Rt. 42 crosses the stream several times, there are several access points along the stream.
Where: 2 miles from Scherr, WV
Distance from Harman’s: 20 miles
This stream is stocked with trout periodically from January through May, including weekly stockings from March to May. Anglers should cast a line into any part of the stream between WV Secondary Route 3 Bridge and upstream through Greenland Gap to Scherr. This portion of the stream is where trout are stocked.
Where: Near Parsons, WV
Distance from Harman’s: 24 miles
This 40-mile tributary of the Black Fork and Cheat River is located near the Monongahela National Forest in northeastern West Virginia. Dry Fork is stocked with trout once in February and every two weeks March through May. The river is home to brown, yellow, and rainbow trout. Regardless, the river is one of the top destinations for fly fishing in West Virginia.
Where: Seneca Rocks, WV
Distance from Harman’s: 25 miles
Seneca Creek is a well-known stream populated with native brook trout and wild rainbow trout. The river flows for nearly 10 miles, dotted with pools, waterfalls, and riffles making for an immensely beautiful area for fly fishing. Seneca Creek has several accessible fly-fishing spots, including some of the best spots that take more of a hike to get to. The river is near the Seneca Rocks Discovery Center, so there are restrooms nearby.
Where: Off WV Route 93 in Grant County, about 6 miles north of Scherr, WV
Distance from Harman’s: 25 miles
Anglers will have the opportunity to catch trout, channel catfish, and large and smallmouth bass at this 40-acre lake. The lake is owned and operated by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and is stocked with trout fish periodically throughout the year.
Where: Spruce Knob, WV
Distance from Harman’s: 38 miles
Stocked regularly by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Spruce Knob Lake offers 52-acres of scenic fishing opportunities. From hungry bluegill along the shoreline to beautiful rainbow trout and smallmouth bass, this popular lake located at the Spruce Knob Lake Campground is perfect for beginner anglers up to advanced anglers. Restrooms are located on the campground premises.
Where: Central West Virginia
The Cranberry River stretches 41 miles in central West Virginia within the Monongahela National Forest. Types of trout include brown, brook, rainbow, and golden. Anglers will find two sections along the river: the backcountry and the lower section. The lower section is easily accessible with roads that run alongside this portion of the river. The backcountry is a 16-mile remote section that does not allow vehicle access—if you plan on fishing the backcountry section of the Cranberry River, there are several overnight shelters available to stay in.
North Fork of the Cherry RiverWhere: Richwood, WV
Distance from Harman’s: 120 miles
Stocked with rainbow, browns, native brook trout, and gold rainbow trout, the North Fork of the Cherry River is a popular spot for fishing. Beginning in southeastern Pocohantas County, the North Fork of the Cherry River has a 1.8-mile catch-and-release section where fly fishing is at its best. Here, anglers will find rainbow, brown, and golden rainbow trout. The stream runs through the Monongahela National Forest in Richwood and has plenty of spots with deep pools and riffles. The stream is stocked once in February and every two weeks March through May.
Where: Lewisburg, WV
Distance from Harman’s: 136 miles
Located in Lewisburg, WV, Second Creek features a 1.5-mile long catch-and-release, fly-fish only trout stream that is stocked once in April of each year. The stream is typically shallow with a gravel bottom and reaches its lowest levels during the summer months. However, there are plenty of spots that feature deeper sections. The stream is located on private property and is a popular spot for local anglers.
Where: Central West Virginia
Distance from Harman’s: 158 miles
Dubbed “The Lady” by locals, the Elk River is a fly-fishing haven, with tons of spots to catch large rainbow, brown, and brook trout. The Elk River is a popular fly-fishing destination for all skill levels and is a can’t miss for any angler. The stream has several deep pools, shallow runs, and riffles with the highest portion of the river offering some of the best fly fishing in the state.
For more information about these trout streams in West Virginia and others, you can contact the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources at (304) 558-6200 or find more information about West Virginia fishing regulations.
Harman’s Luxury Log Cabins, in Cabins, West Virginia, is happy to partner with Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing by providing luxury cabins and two miles of private trophy trout stream access to disabled veterans and active military service personnel for the program’s annual Fly Fest. This weekend-long getaway for disabled active military members and veterans provides some of the best fly fishing West Virginia offers.
Scroll down to learn more about Project Healing Waters Fly Fest.
Project Healing Waters Fly Fest at Harman’s Luxury Log CabinsSince it’s inception in 2011, Harman’s Luxury Log Cabins has hosted the Fort Belvoir and Quantico chapters of Project Healing Waters for the program’s annual Fly Fest. This gathering of disabled military personnel, disabled veterans, and dedicated volunteers includes a weekend of fly fishing along two miles of private stream access on the North Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac River, delicious food, cozy accommodations, and plenty of new experiences.
The Fort Belvoir and Quantico chapters, along with veterans and volunteers from other regions across the US including Georgia, West Virginia, Ohio, and North Carolina, make up this weekend trip. Food, equipment, and cabin housing are FREE for all attendees. Throughout the weekend, old friends catch up and new friends are made, while volunteers assist military members and veterans with catching beautiful trophy trout using tried-and-true fly fishing techniques.
Read about the latest Fly Fest here.
Our cabins come in many shapes and sizes and can accommodate parties as small as two people to groups as large as eight people. Each cabin includes its own private outdoor hot tub, stone fireplaces, and beautiful outdoor porches. Harman’s cabins are located in a serene, peaceful setting of Canaan Valley, West Virginia, with several on-site activities and things to do including hiking, tubing, and bird watching, along with fly fishing.
Harman’s is proud to support the Fort Belvoir and Quantico programs of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing by providing these accommodations for Fly Fest.
Learn more about our West Virginia cabins here.
About Project Healing Waters Fly FishingEstablished in 2005, Project Healing Waters has provided disabled veterans and active military members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with access to fly fishing trips and education, creating unforgettable experiences and memories that will last a lifetime. Project Healing Waters aims to rehabilitate disabled active military personnel and disabled veterans physically and emotionally with this peaceful, recreational sport.
As the new year settles in, anglers journey to the re-stocked rivers and lakes of West Virginia for the spring fishing season. And every spring, Harman’s supplies two miles of the North Fork River with a multitude of trophy fish, providing visiting anglers with a plethora of fly fishing opportunities. Not only do our spring fishing guests get to enjoy the dense forests and mountain landscapes that surround our property, but they also receive an unforgettable West Virginia fishing trip with exceptional services and resources offered by our property.
Find out what you can expect from a fly fishing trip in West Virginia below!
Harman’s proudly features nearly two-miles of free private stream access along the North Fork South Branch Potomac River, providing outstanding West Virginia catch-and-release fly fishing opportunities for only our angling guests. During the spring fishing cycle (March, April, and May), our private stream is teeming with trophy-sized trout.
The stream is divided into two areas, beginning at the entrance of Harman’s and winding throughout the property with a backdrop of lush forest and stunning rock cliffs. These divided areas grant our fishing guests optimal space to enjoy a day out in the water and plenty of opportunities to catch fish.
All of our guests are provided with an identification permit for their time fishing and are provided free of charge to all staying guests.
At Harman’s Luxury Log Cabins, guests will have the opportunity to catch trophy trout throughout the spring fishing cycle. During the spring season, the North Fork River is packed with trophy trout, and guests are treated to outstanding fishing for both spinning tackle or fly rods.
It’s a good idea to keep an eye on the mayfly hatch schedule, as the trout become accustomed to the hatch cycles of specific mayflies. This is can be crucial for anglers deciding on specific flies to use during the time of their fishing visit.
Whether you’ve forgotten crucial equipment back home or are looking to add some extra features to your fly fishing arsenal, our fully-stocked, on-site Fly Fishing Shop offers a plethora of fishing equipment, apparel, souvenirs, and sundries to accompany your spring fly fishing adventure in West Virginia.
At our Fly Fishing Shop, you’ll find:
