Hunting For trout

[Bob]

I've been working too much and not enough fun, so yesterday I went up the mountains hunting for trout. They didn't come easy but I had a good day, nothing like being in a nice mountain stream.

I got my limit six trout the biggest was thirteen inches and the smallest that I kept was nine. I only kept that small one because it was bleeding bad, I hate to waste them.

trout 001.JPG (69.22 KiB) Viewed 2946 times

As usual I didn't have a camera with me so this picture was taken in my kitchen, I was getting them ready for the freezer. They were some nice hefty fish.

[zephyp]

The freezer !?!?!? Man I'd have those things in the fry pan quicker than you could say mmmm...trout.

[Vahunter]

Nice mess of fish Bob.

[Bob]

I do that too zephyp, these trout are going in the smoker. I like to smoke them with hickory, they come out real good.

Thanks Vahunter, I had some fun with them.

[OakRidgeStars]

Nice catch Bob. I agree with Zephyp, I'd have those in a frying pan real quick, since I don't have a smoker

[zephyp]

Yup. Smoked is great, but IMO fresh fried is best. I like em paired up with fried potatoes. I know smoked is better for you, but smoked taters just aren't that tasty

[Bob]

Yes they are good fresh, you put them in a frying pan and they curl up like shrimp, but they are good smoked too.

I have my own brine mix for smoking trout, salt of course then a couple of bay leaves, then some hot pepper, then a dash of tabasco, just a dash.

It takes me about two days to smoke trout, I start out by by putting a bunch of hickory in a bucket of water and soaking the wood for at least twelve hours, put some rocks on it to keep it down.You don't want it to burn just smolder.

Then I make my brine and let the trout soak over night. I like to smoke at least a dozen at a time, I have about twenty some in the freezer right now so thats good.

There is no point in getting the smoker going for a few trout. I just like to eat trout any way at all.

[zephyp]

That sounds delicious Bob. I like trout any way too. Used to live in AZ and would often visit the mountain lakes for them. You could also find them occasionally in a high river. Brings back memories. I need to dust off my fly rod and get out here in good ole VA.

[Bob]

I never fished AZ but i have heard about some of the trout fishing out west. I hope your not dissapointed in the VA trout, most of the water is put and take but there are some streams with natives, not very many big fish in them, all small water.

The hatches here are sparce, but a good dry fly fisherman can normally catch trout anywhere.

I fished all over the east coast but never out west, I have to try that some day. I fished a lot in New Hampshire, and some in Maine and Vermont, a lot in Pennsylvania too. If you can hit New hampshire at the right time you can catch a lot of trout, some nice streams in those mountains. I haven't been back up there in a few years, I need to do that soon.

[zephyp]

My only disappointment with VA fishing is that most of the land along rivers and streams is privately owned. Not that way in AZ. Most of the land out there is public and the only thing you need to be there is a license. I love fishing in most of the rivers around here. Some very nice smallmouth to be had.

[Bob]

You have to get up in the National Forrest land thats where most of the trout are, no problems with private property there.

Watch the stream you are fishing some trout streams have special regs, they are pretty well marked.

[zephyp]

Thanks, Bob. When I first got here in 2000 I bought a book about fishing VA streams and rivers. One of the points it made was about private land. I haven't been on many of the National forest, but have made a point to get out there more often. Kinda hard since I live in Alexandria. Most, especially the mountains, are 2-4 hours away. I've spent some time on the Shenandoah for smallmouth and the Potomac of course for whatever bites. Caught a 22 lb cat couple weeks ago. The closest fishing here is Lake Accotink which is surrounded by Springfield, Alexandria, and Fairfax. Its relatively nice but nothing like I'm used to in AZ. Out there you could hit a remote river and fish for 2 days or longer without seeing or hearing another soul.

[TheWife]

Nice catch!

Rick & I have been fishing 3 times this year. It's always nice to get away from it all and take in the scenery. Catching the fish is just an awesome bonus!!!

[Bob]

Thanks Shelley, my wife likes to trout fish too, we have been fishing together for a long time. She is a pretty good trout fisherman and always gets her share.

Zephyp, if you look at a map you may be able to get to Wilson creek in a reasonable amount of time, I don't know much about northern Virginia, but I have fished Wilson a few times with pretty good results.

I did my best up stream from the lake there are some nice runs and deep holes. I haven't been there for about a year but I did good on my last trip there. It is basically a free stone stream, and there where a few blow downs that held some nice fish.

[zephyp]

Thanks, Bob. I googled Wilson creek and can find 2 in VA both south near the NC border. What town is the one in NOVA near? Sounds like a great trip. We're going to Luray for 4 July and I'll spend some time on the river but would really like to have someplace closer.

[Bob]

zephyp, the Wilson creek I was talking about runs through Douthat State Park, it is west of rt 81 and north of rt 64. I think the closest town is Clifton Forge, it's north of there.

I normally head west when I go trout fishing, I can hit some good water like Jennings creek pretty quick from my house. I do go to Wilson creek about once a year or so.

I don't know much about northern Virginia so I don't know how far a drive that is for you, I do know that I catch a few nice trout every time I go there, it's a nice stream.

[zephyp]

Thanks, Bob. I see it now. We're planning on spending several days over the 4th in Luray so I might get down there then. It is a bit of a drive for me probably about 3 hours.

[Bob]

It's about 3 hours for me too thats why I don't get up there very often.