BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY
Last July, Mike Smith, who operates Greasy Creek Outfitters in Willis, Virginia, took me to fish some of the native brook trout streams that lie along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Although I had both North Carolina and Virginia fishing licenses with me, I learned that anglers need only have one state's license when fishing these waters.

That's because either state's license is legal no matter in which state one is angling at the time. This is a great deal for licensed Tar Heel State anglers, as they can fish deep within Virginia, as long as they confine themselves to Blue Ridge Parkway waters. And April and May, emphasized Smith, are the premier months to fish these streams.

"Experiencing the dank aroma of the densely forested woodland where native brook trout live is a very special thing on the parkway in the spring," said Smith. "Then when you see the incredible colors of a wild trout when you land it, that just adds to the atmosphere. Another thing I enjoy is that this is pristine wild trout fishing at the source of so many of our great rivers, such as the Dan and Roanoke."

Smith emphasizes that stealth is crucial when anglers ply these waters. For example, on our trip last July, the guide repeatedly exhorted me to keep a low profile and to further camouflage my presence by staying close to streamside fauna as we inched upstream. Of course, the native brook trout streams in the region were exceptionally low last summer and fall, but even when they are running full, they are typically no more than 10 to 20 feet across and a few feet deep. A careful approach is always required, regardless of the season.

Understandably, Smith does not like to divulge the names of individual Blue Ridge Parkway creeks. These streams are so small that it would be unfair to the resource -- and to anglers themselves -- to concentrate people in just a few places. The good news is that many creeks do exist and all these cold-water streams possess similar fisheries in terms of numbers of fish and size -- typically, wild brook trout are about 5 to 9 inches in length.

The guide reveals that his favorite spring patterns on parkway waters are sizes 16 and 18 Royal Wulffs or Olive Caddis and sizes 14 or 16 Prince Nymphs. He prefers a 7-foot 2- or 3-weight fly rod with 7x tippet. Kelly Brown, maintenance supervisor for the Pinnacles Hydro-electric Project that abuts the parkway in the Old Dominion, regularly fishes these highland rills. He recommends sizes 12 and 14 Adams Parachutes, Copper Beadhead Pheasant Tails and Caddis Beadheads.

For spin-fishing, Smith suggests any 5- to 6-foot light-action rod spooled with clear 4-pound-test mono. Any ultralight spinner, such as a Mepps Aglia or Joe's Fly, will do.

"Spinners are great for the parkway's wild browns and brookies and can easily be cast up under heavy rhododendron," Smith concluded.

Trip Planning Information
Greasy Creek Outfitters can be contacted at their Web site: www.greasycreekoutfitters.com, or by phone at (540) 789-7811. (Mike Smith offers guided trips and is author of the book, Fishing the Roanoke Valley, which covers fishing the Blue Ridge Parkway.) Visit online at www.blueridgeparkway.org.

Lodging: Meadowood Bed and Breakfast, (540) 593-3929. Owner Gil Gillenwater guides full-time for Greasy Creek Outfitters.

Fishing information: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission: www.ncwildlife.org or Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries: www.dgif.virginia.gov.