One of my favorite WV Rivers: The Cranberry

“Of all the stocked waters, the Cranberry River arguably has the largest and most loyal band of followers. Born in the highlands of Pocahontas County, the Cranberry tumbles 27 miles through parts of Greenbrier, Webster and Nicholas counties. From its headwaters to its mouth, it is trout water all the way.

Sixteen miles of the river flow through the Cranberry Backcountry and are closed to vehicle traffic. Access is anything but limited, however. Forest Service Route 76 parallels the stream from its headwaters to the Woodbine Recreation Area, just six miles upstream from the mouth. Anglers usually walk or ride bicycles into the 16-mile gated section.”
 

“Two segments of the river have been set aside for catch-and-release fishing. The 4.3-mile stretch between the North Fork of the Cranberry and the Dogway Fork Bridge lies behind the gates, but the 1.2-mile stretch between Woodbine and Camp Splinter is vehicle-accessible.


Two large acid-neutralization stations ensure the river's status as a year-round fishery, but early-season fishing conditions can be harsh. Spring comes late to the high Alleghenies, and it isn't uncommon for anglers to leave Charleston on a balmy spring day and wade through snow to reach the Cranberry.

Hatchery crews begin making weekly stockings as soon as the river road is passable. In addition, the Cranberry receives supplemental stockings of fingerling brown trout. Most fly fishermen would be startled to learn just how many fish - wild and stocked - the river holds from year to year.”

Poaching Info

Help us stop poaching and other fish and game violations! When you see a violation in progress, all you have to do is report it to WVDNR Law Enforcement. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO CONFRONT THE VIOLATORS!! Use the form below to gather all of the relevant information. Get as much detail as you can. Call the DNR Communications Center nearest to where you witnessed the violation and give them the information. They will take it from there. We have had a remarkable increase in fish & game arrests since 2002 because of the increased cooperation of sportsmen in reporting violators. It’s up to all of us to help protect our fish & game resources. Print out the form below or copy the information onto a card or notepad that you can carry with you either onstream or in your vehicle. Our fine Conservation Officers do great work but they can not be everywhere and that's where we need to help and stand up and protect our own streams and work with them. LET’S ALL WORK TOGETHER TO STOP POACHING!

Division of Natural Resources in Elkins at 637-0245

Paw Paw Creek

Paw Paw Creek  is stocked from a point a half mile upstream of Rivesville, 8 miles to Basnettville, along WV Secondary Rt. 17. Stocked once in February and once every two weeks from March through May

The Paw Paw this last year fished well. Dean Baker and I found some nice new runs in the spring. And some feeder streams that held some hidden Brookies. Dean Just got his back fixed so he was especially glad to get back out fishing. Looking forward to fishing with Dean in the spring during the first caddis hatch. Going to bring my Mad River Rod Co. “Moluntha” just spoke with Clint Bova today to order a new 6'9" rod, his “Little Mecoche”. Mark Brindle has one and he compares it to some of the really nice smaller Leonard rods but with a more progressive taper. Definitely a nice brook trout rod

Prospective Stream Conditions for The Mountain State Trout

In a state with no closed season, cane WV caneheads are gearing up for some of the year's best angling for rainbows, brookies, browns and more. 


If West Virginia's trout stocking season goes as well as expected this year, we will have a great season. Wetter than normal conditions during the summer and fall of 2008 have allowed the state's seven hatcheries to produce more and bigger trout than usual. By May 31, almost all of those trout will be stocked in 199 waters, providing Mountain State fly fishermen with great potential

~D

More to come on West Virginia path ways

next entry The Seneca

Mad River Rod Co. info

I met Clint Bova about four years ago on the Mad River in Ohio his site http://www.madriverodco.com. I was over visiting some friends in Springfield. He's a pretty talented caster let alone rod maker. Watched him do a jaw dropping mid air curve cast to a brown on a far bank with a little dry. Hooked a nice 17 incher. He let me cast his 7' 4wt. sweet casting little Rod I think it was his Johnny Logan Model.

~D

Yes. Clint Bova's site is www.madriverrodco.com he specializes in light bamboo trout rods mostly 3-7 wts. I found out about him through Gray's Sporting Journal and the Somerset Show. He's been selling rods up in Ontario and UK for a while check him out, see you Walter.

Dave