Virginia Tech

College Ambassador: Joe Garvey

Species

Rainbow, Brown, and Brooke Trout: Most commonly targeted on the fly. There are plenty of walkable/wadable streams in the area to find these variety of species. Spring and Fall seem to be the best times to catch these fish.

Smallmouth Bass: The New River holds great opportunities for catching Smallmouths in Blacksburg. We often hop on the boat after class in the early spring to chase the big spawning fish around- any type of crank or spinner bait is always a good ticket. In the warmer months of late summer to early fall, the fish prefer a smaller profile bait.

Musky: The New River and the James River are two great rivers to seek out a Musky. These fish prefer a large swim baits and can be pretty tough to catch. Cover a small area of water with a lot of casts and keep your lure in the water until you are sure there's not a fish behind it.

Accessibility

The New River: This North flowing river has multiple access points a couple minutes from campus. While having a boat can be advantageous, there are plenty of areas you can get to on foot. The New Rivers primary targeted species are Smallmouth Bass, Musky and Catfish, but Hokies frequent this spot for a couple of beers after a long work week.

Cascade Falls: Cascade Falls is a beautiful hike to a 66-foot-high waterfall. Only about 30 minutes from campus, the trail to the waterfall runs right along Little Stony Creek. This is a great spot to target smaller Brooke trout on the fly. Best to have good trust in your balance, as some spots can be a little tough to access. Stop by Tangent Outfitters on your way to grab some new flies and a slice of pizza.

Big Stony Creek: About a 45-minute drive from campus, Big Stony Creek provides great fishing for those who love trout. The creek can be easily waded and is mostly known for the Rainbow and Brown Trout. Before you make the drive, check the USGS gage height to catch these fish at the optimal time.
 
Community

A good fishing community is all about perspective. As a native to the Chesapeake Bays Eastern Shore, the fishery in Blacksburg is drastically different. There is ample interest in fly fishing for trout in the small waters surrounding the school. The fly fishing club has a decent following and is a terrific way for beginners to get their feet wet. Most of the guys I fish with are friends that I met while battling the same engineering courses. Keep a friendly demeanor and you'll run into the right people.

Hangouts/Shops

Blacksburg Feed and Seed Co: I was fooled by the sign until one of my buddies pointed out the fishing selection these guys carry. Located right next to campus, stock up on whatever type of lure you may need before heading to the river. They carry a diverse selection of tackle to target the Blacksburg native species. If you're in need of a rod and reel, you can also find them there.

Tangent Outfitters: Right outside of Cascade Falls, this shop carries a couple flies as well as a few rods that are perfect for the fishery on the Little Stony. The shop also offers a wide variety of clothing and has some great food for you to grab before a hike.