certainly not what one might call picturesque trout fishing, Accotink’s location makes it accessible to those who need a fishing fix but can’t make the trek to more remote waters. Accotink Creek rates an easy 6.
Catch brown trout just minutes from bumper-to-bumper traffic. Photo by King Montgomery.
Back Creek
Back Creek, tucked away in the far western reaches of the state, is home to beautiful rainbows and browns—and some of the most breathtaking scenery imaginable. This outlying area was the military training ground of a young colonel in the Virginia Militia named George Washington. Then only in his early 20s, Washington, tasked with devising a way to protect vulnerable settlers from the American Indians of Virginia and Ohio, came up with the idea of stringing forts along the outer edges of the state in a defensive position. This approach worked and provided security for the local civilian population.
It was here that Washington also witnessed brutal close quarters combat fighting alongside the British Army. In a battle near the Monongahela National Forest, Washington witnessed something that he would remember all his life: Indians scored a military victory over the British and forced them and the Virginia Militia to a draw. It was here, then, that Washington first realized that the British Army was not the unbeatable force that he, a loyal British subject, had always believed it to be. He would recall this incident years later as Commander of the Colonial Army when he fought against the British instead of alongside them.
In 1985, Dominion, a Richmond-based energy company, built a dam across Back Creek because the company needed water for a reservoir. Although the reservoir is closed to the public due to fluctuating water levels, the area below the reservoir is fed cool clear water which, in essence, makes this portion of Back Creek a great tailwater fishery. Back Creek was almost totally redesigned by Dominion biologists who worked with contractors and added deep channels, improved riparian buffer zones, and generally stabilized the banks wherever possible. You’ll still see some wire mesh along the shoreline, just at the water’s edge, holding the banks in place. After the repairs and improvements, the VDGIF stocked the creek with fingerlings and opened the water to public fishing—even though it runs across Dominion property.
Anglers who fish Back Creek need to do so in the Special Regulation Section, which is located south of the Lower Reservoir. Other parts of Route 600 are off limits and should be avoided. The two ponds directly below the reservoir are also open to the public and have a healthy population of bass and bluegill.
When I was at Back Creek, I saw several boating anglers on these ponds and they seemed to be having a great time. Although the ponds are large, they aren’t overhung with trees, so you can easily cast from shore. This assumes, of course, that for some reason you don’t want to catch trout on Back Creek. After all, like Washington, anglers must choose their battles wisely.
Don’t be misled by its name: Back Creek is as big as a river in many places. Photo by Beau Beasley.
Back Creek is a wonderful trout stream easily accessible from Route 600. Photo by Beau Beasley.
A nice trail bordering Back Creek. Photo by Beau Beasley.
Types of Fish
Chances are you will only land rainbows here, but occasionally you will land a brown. Local anglers also report that McConaughy rainbows migrate out of Lake Moomaw into Back Creek to spawn.
Known Hatches
Back Creek supports the same hatches as most other mountain streams in the region. Anglers will find Winter Stoneflies, Blue Quills, Blue Wing Olives, Hendricksons, March Browns, Little Yellow Stoneflies, Sulfurs, Quill Gordons, Caddis, Cahills, inchworms, and terrestrials hatching throughout the year. Keep in mind that a mountain stream this large will also support a good population of baitfish like sculpins and black-nose dace as well.
Equipment to Use
Rods:4-7 weight, 8-9 feet in length. The larger rods will help with casting streamers.
Reels:Standard mechanical, though a large fish could show you your backing given the strong current.
Lines:Weight-forward floating lines matched to the rod. Sink tips could also be used.
Leaders:4X-6X leaders, 9 feet in length.
Wading:Although hip waders can be used in much of Back Creek, I would recommend chest waders (which can always be rolled down in the heat) and a wading stick.
Flies to Use
Dries:Adams #14-20, BWO #14-20, Braided Butt Damsel #10-12, Dusty’s Deviant #12-16, Elk Hair Caddis #14-20, Flying Ant #10-18, Gelso’s Little Black Stonefly #16-20, Lt. Cahill #14-20, Little Yellow Sally #14-20, March Brown #10-14, Murray’s Mr. Rapidan #14-20, Pale Morning Dun #14-20, Quill Gordon #12-22, Stimulator #12-20, Steeves’ Attract Ant #16-20, Steeves’ Bark Beetle #16-20, Steeves’ Crystal Butt Hopper #8-10, Steeves’ Disc O’ Beetle #14, Steeves’ UFO #10.
Nymphs & Streamers:BH Goldilox #6-10, BH Hare’s Ear #14-20, BH Prince Nymph #14-20, Bruce’s Little Bow #6, Coburn’s Cress Bug #14-20, Coburn’s Inchworm #12-14, Dover’s Peach Fly #6-10, Egg #6-20, Finn’s Golden Retriever #6-10, Green Weenie #14-16, Matuka #4-10, Mickey Finn #6-10, MC2 Crayfish #4-6, Muddler Minnow #6-10, Murray’s Marauder #6-10, Pheasant Tail #14-20, River Witch #6, Scud #10-18, Sculpin #4-8, Woolly Bugger #6-10.
When to Fish
Peak time is early spring through the fall. I do, however, have firsthand knowledge of anglers catching fish on dry flies during snow storms on Back Creek.
Season & Limits
There is a special regulation section on Dominion property between the two Route 600 bridges that is well over a mile long. No trout may be kept between October 1 and May 31, and anglers are restricted to using single-hook artificial lures only. From June until the end of September, general fishing rules are in effect for the entire stream.
Nearby Fly Fishing
The Jackson River is your best fishing alternative if Back Creek is too high. There is also put-and-take fishing at Blowing Springs campground.
Accommodations & Services
The largest population base near Back Creek is Warm Springs. Hot Springs, a larger town located a few miles south on Route 220, is home to Allegheny Outfitters, a full-service fly shop at the world-famous Homestead resort.
Rating
Back Creek, which owes much of its strength as a trout fishery to
