Images of a few places we enjoy trout and smallmouth fishing.

Mossy Creek click Here.

Legend

MOSSY CREEK  (Meeting on 23-Nov-2010 with Fisheries Officials on past history and current management. Web update 24-Nov-2010.  All below information 100% correct per meeting.) 

HISTORY of MOSSY CREEK  

TERMINOLOGY:
Public: Water that is open to the public for free year-around.
Private-Public: Water on Private land that is open for free year-around.
Private: Water that is privately owned and not open to the public for free. Fee based year-around. 

EARLY ATTEMPTS: During the early years of Mossy Creek, Rainbow trout were stocked in the PUBLIC and PRIVATE-PUBLIC stretch.  Unfortunately, after testing numerous strains, all samplings showed that there were no trout.  Next, Brook trout were stocked, only to have the same result with no trout being found during samplings (electro-shocking). It is unknown if the trout died or moved elsewhere, but if trout do not like the water they live in or if the water is not conducive to a good quality of life or survival, they will move.

After trying several strains of Brown trout, success was found as samplings showed that one strain of Brown trout lived, stayed and grew in the stretch of water being stocked. That strain of Brown trout continues to be successfully stocked today.

PUBLIC STOCKINGS: In the past, fingerlings were stocked only to end up being consumed by the larger trout. In recent years, seven inch Brown trout have been and continue to be stocked annually between late-October and late-November.  These smaller trout can grow to ten inches in just a year because of the abundance of food. The larger trout measure over twenty inches and several pounds.

REPRODUCTION: PUBLIC, PRIVATE-PUBLIC, PRIVATE: There is NO natural reproduction at any place on Mossy Creek, whether Public, Private-Public or Private. Healthy trout are stocked in the Public and Private-Public stretch while trout are purchased (by permit) and stocked in the Private section by its owners. All sections are stocked waters with healthy trout.

SAMPLING: The State ONLY samples the Public water.  The samplings take place at three locations, all in Augusta County with the last sampling ending at the Augusta/Rockingham County lines on the Augusta County side.  The state has never sampled the Private-Public or Private sections. Note: Several years ago a technician for a State agency did a sampling on the Private section and mentioned the results to a Biologist, but the Biologists state that they have never been to either the Private-Public or Private sections for studies and have no plans to do so.

PUBLIC FISHERY & MILES: The four mile Public and Private-Public stretch is recognized as a "Trophy Brown Trout Fishery".  Though it is possible for trout to move up from the Private stretch into the lower Private-Public section, Rainbows caught on the lower Private-Public stretch are rare at best. All anglers should consider the Public and Private-Public stretch of water as the Fisheries Officials do "Trophy Brown Trout Fishery".

(PRIVATE):  Past History: The previous owner of the Private stretch of Mossy had automatic feeders along the water to help with the survivability of Rainbow and Brown trout and to keep the fish located in one area.  As mentioned above, if trout do not like where they live, they will move.  In this case, a few trout moved to both North River and upward into the lower section of the Private-Public waters.

Current: The present day owners do not have feeders along their stretch though one landowner does.  One landowner has a permit that allows the raising of Brook trout.  Even though some Brook trout may be found in the Private stretch, it is simply because a few of the trout at the farm have accidentally made it into the main waterway. (see Reproduction above)

The current owners have a permit that allows them to purchase and stock trout. As always, the Private water is a fee-based fishery while the Public and Private-Public area's are free. 

...Source: Fisheries Official's, 23-Nov-2010.

OUR VIEW - PUBLIC and PRIVATE-PUBLIC vs. PRIVATE:   As for the difference between the Public, Private-Public and Private Sections on Mossy, the difference is "money out-of-pocket", meaning, the Public and Private-Public sections will always be open for FREE.  The Private section, as with most Private waters nationwide, is fee-based. So, pay once for a Guide and/or Instructions with Wild Mountain Trout Fly Fishing to learn and become familiar with the "Public and Private-Public stretch" then fish for FREE thereafter, while the Private area is always pay each and every outing.

TROUT HEALTH:
     Public and Private Public Waters (Free, Open) - The trout are in excellent health in the FREE PUBLIC and PRIVATE-PUBLIC Sections (as sampled, studied and reported by Fisheries Officials). The Brown trout grow to trophy size and  take on wild colors, feeding habits and other wild characteristics.
    Private (Fee-Based, Posted) - There is no official report on the Fee-Based Private section since the Fisheries Officials do not study that section. The current owners though, state the fish are strong. See "Sampling" above for more.

If you wish to learn more about trout and trout fishing and enjoy a challenge, we invite you to book a few hours with us on the Public and Private-Public Trophy stretches of Mossy Creek in order to better understand the water and their finicky trout. To consider booking, click HERE.

To see a six second video clip of a late evening sunset on the PUBLIC section of Mossy Creek, click HERE. (Please have your speakers on and volume up)

REPEAT: Meeting on 23-Nov-2010 with Fisheries Officials on past history and current management. Web update 24-Nov-2010.  All above information 100% correct per meeting.