Fishing the Upper Elk River

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Any list of the state's finest trout streams simply must include the Elk River upstream of Whittaker Falls in Pocahontas and Randolph counties. Wild rainbow trout, spawned in tiny tributary streams, teem in the river's swift riffles and runs. Brown trout, stocked as fingerlings, grow to trophy proportions in its boulder strewn pools.

Anglers who fish it quickly discover that it's quite literally two streams in one. The first section, which extends downstream about three-and-one-half miles from the junction of Old Field and Big Spring forks, runs through a roadless canyon. An abandoned rail line parallels the stream and provides access for those adventurous enough to make the long walk in and out.

At the end of the first section, the river sinks into an underground cavern. It returns to the surface two miles downstream at the upper end of the second section. From there, the Elk tumbles merrily along for two more miles until it drops off the high sandstone ledge that forms Whittaker Falls. Access to this lower stretch is much easier, as a county road parallels the stream the entire way.

Both sections have become favorites of Mountain State fly-fishers, mainly because their rich waters support an amazing variety of aquatic insects. The stream's reliable hatches of March Brown, Gray Fox, and Green Drake mayflies make it a "must-fish" destination for match-the-hatch anglers.

DNR officials manage both sections of the upper Elk under artificial-lures-only, catch-and-release regulations. All trout caught must be released at once.

Elk River- From its headwaters just west of the Eastern Continental divide  in West Virginia’s highlands, the Elk River is one of West  Virginia's premier year-round trout streams and is home to native brookies, stream-spawned rainbows and fingerling-stocked browns.   The Elk River is an excellent spring trout fishery and has always  been a favorite among fly fishermen. 

Cranberry River - Born in the highlands of Pocahontas County, the Cranberry tumbles 27 miles through parts of Greenbrier, Webster and Nicholas counties and is one of the best trout streams in West Virginia holding more trout per acre of water than any other river in West Virginia. The scenic Cranberry is inhabited by native brook trout, stocked brown, rainbow and golden rainbow trout and can provide just about any type of fishing experience for all types of anglers. The backcountry  section (closed to vehicle traffic) offers 16 miles of remote river including both the North Fork and South Fork tributaries.

Shavers Fork Located in the backcountry of the Monongahela Highlands, the  Shavers Fork of the Cheat River is one of the longest trout streams in West Virginia flowing its first 25 miles at or above 3000 elevation.  Shavers offers a variety of remote trout fishing sections and is ideal for anglers who like to get away from the crowds.

Greenbrier River Heading up to elevations of more than three thousand feet, West  Virginia’s largest tributary to the New River begins its journey in the Allegheny Highlands in the eastern portion of West Virginia and is a first-class trout stream by any standards.   From its headwaters to its mouth it transforms from a Native Brook  and stocked trout fishery to one of the states premier hidden smallmouth treasures.