THE
LAUREL FORK PRESERVE THE
LAUREL FORK PRESERVE
Welcome to Laurel Fork, a sanctuary for wildlife
and great fly fishing. Before going into the details of this
one-of-a-kind fishing refuge, please note that this whole
area may be in danger! A 35-mile long gas line is due for
construction in the next few years. (See Harry Slone's
Virginia Trout Streams,
pg.86) Only public support may sway this disaster. Your voice
may be just enough to conserve this area for future
generations!
With over 8 miles of native brook trout fishing, Laurel Fork is one
of the largest and widest creeks still undisturbed in Virginia.
It is located in Highland County, west of Staunton on the West Virginian
border within George Washington National Forest boundaries.
Four-wheel drive is required to reach the stream as well as a good
pair of hiking boots and a lot of endurance. Once you do reach
the stream, you'll notice its uniqueness, partly due to its remoteness.
Here you are far away from humanity. This will become obvious to
you when you catch a glimpse of the wildlife in this area: pileated
woodpeckers, bears, timber rattlers, and northern hardwood trees.
You may even sight a bald eagle!
The stream itself is unique. The gradient tends to be lower than
most mountain streams, though within its watershed, Laurel
Fork offers many different habitats to fish for trout. The national
forest service also constructed serveral paths which meander in and
out of the river valley. These allow fly anglers to
access the bottom of several of the headwater streams flowing
into Laurel Fork. All of the streams in the Laurel Fork valley are
full of native brook trout. There is plenty of room for distance casting
and many huge rocks for ambushes. In some areas you may need
waders during the winter and spring, though I prefer to wet
wade after the tiring hike in.
For directions, check your USGS quadrant map and purchase a copy of
Harry Slone's,
Be sure to keep this area clean.
Several of these streams in Highland
County are the most pristine sites for biological monitoring in
the state. You may also want to keep a log of all the interesting
things you see, since places like this are hard to come by.
