I took a bike trip on the Virginia Creeper Trail to enjoy the scenery but also to do some trout fishing on Virginia's finest trout stream, the Whitetop Laurel. The Virginia Creeper Trail runs along and trestles over the length of Whitetop Laurel from it's Damascus VA confluence with Tennessee Laurel all the way up to high trestle crossing at Creek Junction.
There are two wild trout/special regulated sections: the Upper is from the first trestle above upper gate in Taylor's Valley to Green Cove Creek Junction. The lower regulated area is from just below the lower gate of Taylor's Valley down to the confluence with Straight Branch. Above and below these regulated sections plus Taylor's Valley Proper, are the stocked sections. The State of Virginia has some good information on Whitetop Laurel Creek including the rules and regulations on line.
Now, about that bike trip! It was 17 miles on a hard bicycle seat, punctuated by frequent stops to wet a line. That was a fairly long trip for an old man, so the next time that I go, I will assault the stream from the car and here are the directions for that assault.
From I-81 south take exit 29 (Glade Spring) to 91 east towards Damascus, in Damascus take 58 east. Whitetop Laurel flows along 58 east, where it can be accessed easily. Signs to the parking areas and the Virginia Creeper Trail are along 58 east. Sections of Whitetop Laurel Creek that are not adjacent to 58 east are easily accessed from the Virginia Creeper Trail. Parking areas have maps and trail information on display.
I will be in that area of Tennessee and Virginia Saturday attending the South Holston Fly Fishing Fest, but unfortunately, I will not be able to go to the Whitetop Laurel Creek for some trout fishing. By the way, the pictures are of Trout University Chancellor Steve.