Seneca Creek is a small stream in West Virginia that is appropriately named after the large bluff of white Tuscarora sandstone at Seneca Rock nearby. Seneca is a freestone stream less than ten miles long and flows through the town of Onego before it exits into the North Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac River. It is managed by the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources as a wild trout stream and to fish much of the Seneca’s waters, it will be necessary to hike into the backcountry.
Just 2 miles above the Allegheny Mountains trailhead and parking area, there is a low waterfalls. The next five miles below the falls extending to the Judy Springs Campground.
is the lower section which is the best section. Seneca is inhabited by wild rainbow trout that can reach about 12 inches long and it is also inhabited by the northern strain of brookies that will average about 6 inches long.
Numerous small tributary streams and springs provide the Seneca with excellent water quality allowing the Seneca to offer true small stream fly fishing at its best. The creek can be divided into two sections with the upper more narrow section consisting of shallow pools punctuated with riffles. The lower section contains water falls, deeper pools and more riffles.
The Seneca is a small delightful and scenic creek with enough wild trout for it to make the Trout Unlimited list of 100 Best Trout Streams and that is an honor for such a small stream, so it will be well worth your time.
Fishing the Seneca:
The rainbows are usually found in the faster water of the riffles and runs or at the base of the falls, although sometimes they will lie just on the outside of the fast current. The brook trout on the other hand tend to stay in the moderately flowing currents as opposed to the fast water inhabited by the rainbows. Floating bubbles are a good indicator of where the trout food is drifting downstream. Short accurate upstream casts are the order of the day. Remember also that dry flies will almost always fool the brookies.
Spring:
Obviously the spring is the best time to fish the Seneca with the blue winged olives, the hendricksons, and the quill gordons hatching. Remember to fish uptstream with short casts using light tackle. The slingshot approach will work well in the smaller pools and caneing will also work on the brookies.
Summer:
The stream remains cool through the summer providing excellent opportunities and the hiking will be cool as well. Try the dry fly patterns of the sulphurs, light cahills and don’t forget to keep some terrestrials handy.
Fall:
The brook trout will be spawning and displaying their beautiful colors. These colorful wild brookies combined with the surrounding leaf color and the natural beauty of the stream will make fishing and hiking the Seneca an unforgettable experience. Winter is not the best time to fish the Seneca and not recommended due to the snows and the slippery conditions.
Access is available on US 33 West, and the Allegheny Mountains trailhead off Whites Run Road where parking is available and a path runs up the Seneca Creek. Also, there may be an opportunity right in the town of Onego, but expect some fishing pressure here. It would be better to hike up the trail or do some camping as the rules for camping are quite liberal.
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