I-81 in Virginia/WV/MD Recommendations

[OldDawg]

I drove I-81 from DC to Atl and crossed some good looking water in WV/VA. Does anyone have a recommendation for rivers to fish along I-81 in this area? Looks like smallmouth fishing should be good.

Thanks in advance.

[Drifter]

Can't help with Smallmouth but you are near Shenandoah N.P. and excellent brookie fishing. I-81 near Staunton would be a good access point.

[oyster]

Check out this website.

http://www.blueridgeangler.com/spring.htm

It's just a random one I pulled up for my favorite area along that route. It should put some ideas in your head.

Also, if you are up in Maryland, it's worth a drive up to the Gunpowder Falls area for wild browns.

Good luck,
Bill O.


________________
www.oysterbamboo.com

[TheEndlessEnigma]

the shenanhdoah itself is great for smalies

[OldDawg]

Thanks everyone. This gets me started.

[Windknot]

OldDawg,

Dredger was playing hooky until today :D and wanted to offer a tip.


Pass this tip on from an old Hokie.

Smallmouths near Radford, in river below Claytor lake.[New River]

(my favorite spot near school was near a hamlet named McCoy Best
one's on my wall 4 lb 12 oz and only 20 inches long. Even got a
muskie).
He needs to check with VA's willdife agency.

[Milton]

Here's a link to Harry Murray's fly shop, two miles off I-81 in Edinburg, Va., on the North Fork of the Shenandoah. Harry's written some books that might help, which are available online from the shop.

If you're familiar with the Mr. Rapidan, by the way, that's a Harry Murray original.


http://murraysflyshop.com/index.html

-Milton

[jeffg]

When you cross over the potomac there on 81 heading southbound, look up river and you will see old indian fish wier spanning the entire river. it is also a good spot to fish.
Also, following the potomoc down to harpers ferry for good fishing around the old bridges in the water, and do some civil war touring. Then down from there at Sandy Point you have great catfish holes and then you have all the rocks to hop around the bridge from MD into VA/WVA. When the river is low you can hop rocks or wade across. Next up go to brunswick for some great fishing and wading for multiple species.
Fav spot on the potomac is taylors landing on the backside of Antietam Na'l battlefield, and if you want do some fishing in historical places, go fish the Antietam at Burnside bridge right there on the battlefield.
And go fish the Shenadoah where it meets the potomac, now is the best time of year because water is cooling and the tube hatch is over. Just be careful wading the "stairs" in that area.
Also, concerns being raised by anglers and DNR about the Shenadoah. I have read that there is a decline in the numbers of smallies and they are still trying to find out if natural cycle, water pollution etc..