Anglers fishing Slatyfork will find a mixture of riffles and long rangy pools. Typically, the larger trout will be holed up in the bigger pools, so anglers will want to concentrate their efforts in such locations (if pursuing trophy trout).

Slatyfork boasts good numbers of brown, brook, rainbow and golden rainbow trout, but the area's main attraction has to be its trophy browns. Slatyfork has established itself as the state's No. 1 water for big brown trout -- and that's not likely to change anytime soon.

Rainbow trout seem more inclined to be found in current breaks and riffles, while browns and brookies are more often located along boulders and hiding beneath undercut banks. Although they can be skittish in clear water, it is certainly possible to hook up with 20-inch browns on the Slatyfork at any time of the year.

Water conditions that are milky or off-colored provide golden opportunities for anglers on Slatyfork. When these conditions occur, it opens the door for anglers searching for trophy trout. Rising water stirs up food for hungry trout, while the milky water provides cover for anglers to get close to wary fish without spooking them.

NORTH FORK OF THE CHERRY RIVER
Located among the mountain peaks of the Monongahela National Forest, the North Fork of the Cherry is a trout angler's dream. With its overhanging vegetation, undercut banks and abundant boulders, the stream boasts a variety of fabulous trout habitat. In addition to the rich habitat, cold mountain water from the region's headwater streams keeps the temperature in the North Fork of the Cherry sublime, allowing trout to hold over from the lucrative spring stockings.

The North Fork of the Cherry gets stocked in February and then every other week from March through May. When all is said and done, over 4,000 pounds of brown, rainbow and golden rainbow trout are placed in the stream for year-round angler enjoyment. Anglers may also encounter native brook trout, which inhabit the North Fork and many of its tributaries.

While the North Fork of the Cherry features a lot of hearty trout, anglers won't find many trout that exceed 20 inches. The stream's strong point is its bountiful supply of stocked and wild trout, many of which will be scattered among a variety of habitats. Several of the trout here will be natives or will have come from fingerling stockings and these special fish really stand out when you witness their magnificent coloration.

One thing anglers find so enjoyable about the North Fork of the Cherry is that almost all sections of this stream hold trout, even in the summer. There are a lot of small pocket pools on this river that hold surprisingly large trout. However, anglers looking for the largest trout on the North Fork of the Cherry will usually find them in the stream's bigger pools.

The North Fork of the Cherry River is one of West Virginia's greatest aquatic reclamation stories. This Nicholas County stream has been transformed from a barren wasteland into a classy trout fishery. In 1997, the DNR started treating the stream with limestone fines. Trout responded to the reclamation right away. But don't take my word for it because a turnabout this dramatic requires first- hand attention. Spend a little time on the North Fork of the Cherry and you will see just how special this trout stream has become.

Access to the North Fork of the Cherry River is via state Route (SR) 39. Excellent access is available to North Fork anglers as SR 39 follows the river along much of its length.