The first section is the well-known Green Hill Park in Roanoke County, just outside of Salem off Route 11/460. This section extends from a sign posted at the upper end of the park downstream to the Route 760 Bridge/Diguids Lane. Although anglers can easily wade-fish this section, I have enjoyed float-fishing it, putting in at the park and continuing downstream to the Route 419 bridge.

A canoe trip also has the advantage of covering the second delayed harvest section, which begins along Riverside Drive in Salem and continues downstream some two miles to the Route 419 bridge. The later in the season you float -- or wade -- these delayed harvest sections, the more likely that you will also catch smallmouth bass, rock bass and redbreast sunfish. I have caught smallies up to 14 inches on this float and have seen bigger ones.

PEAK CREEK
Our penultimate choice is Peak Creek in Pulaski County. This is another delayed harvest stream, specifically from the confluence of Tract Fork downstream 2.7 miles to the State Route 99 bridge. The local New River Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited performed yeoman work on this tributary of the New, both improving and creating habitat. The organization removed trash and anchored logs to create holding cover and deeper water.

Interestingly, about a mile of the stream flows through the town of Pulaski, which will mean that Peak will become a type of urban trout fishery -- always a good thing to create. The first trout were stocked in October 2006.

PUT-AND-TAKE POSSIBILITIES NORTH

Some of the most popular destinations in northern Virginia are the North Fork of the Shenandoah and Hawksbill Creek. In the northwestern corner, good choices are the Bullpasture River, the South Branch of the Potomac and the Tye River -- all of which I have fished and can recommend.

PUT-AND-TAKE POSSIBILITIES SOUTH
In southwest Virginia, possibilities include Tinker Creek, Jennings Creek and Runnett Bag Creek, which possesses my favorite name for a trout fishery. And in western Virginia, don’t forget Poverty Creek, upper Craig Creek and the Little River. Of course, there are scores of others.

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Yes, trout are a unique game fish in so many ways. And certainly, the Old Dominion offers some of the best trout fishing in the South.

Find more about Virginia fishing and hunting at: VirginiaGameandFish.com