SHAVERS FORK
The Shavers Fork of the Cheat River is one of the longest trout streams in West Virginia. Offering remote trout-fishing opportunities, as well as easy access right along the road, a Shavers Fork fishing experience can be tailored to fit each angler's preference.

The best remote section of the Shavers Fork River starts at Cheat Bridge and stretches downstream until it travels under U.S. Route 33 near Bowden. This lengthy 43-mile section of the Shavers Fork is stocked, from Bowden upstream all the way to Beaver Creek, by railcars.

An ideal area for anglers who like to "get away from the crowds," this remote section of Shavers Fork is really loaded with trout each spring. During the spring, this section is stocked twice by railcar with each trip tallying about 2,500 pounds of trout. The rail stockings spread trout throughout the river much more than conventional truck stockings. The result is a fabulous year-round trout fishery in pristine backcountry.

A catch-and-release section is located within the remote area of Shavers Fork. Deep within the national forest, the 5.5-mile special regulation area ranges from the mouth of Whitmeadow Run downstream to the mouth of McGee Run. Access to the no-harvest area is restricted to Forest Service Route 92.

Downstream of U.S. Route 33 and through the community of Bowden, several miles of Shavers Fork run along the highway. This stretch provides some of the most accessible fishing in the state. Although heavily fished, this area is perfect for anglers who have a limited amount of time to fish, but yet want to load up on some trout.

This highly accessible section of Shavers Fork downstream of Bowden doesn't lack for trout, as it is stocked in January, February, every week from March to May -- and then twice in October.

Shavers Fork is a good-sized river with lots of shallow areas that do not provide sufficient trout cover. However, between these shallow-water areas are some huge pools. These pools hold many of the river's trout, but getting a prime fishing spot can sometimes be a challenge due to the significant number of anglers usually found on Shavers Fork.

West Virginia offers a wealth of trout-fishing opportunities for anglers. Wild or stocked trout, small streams or large rivers, roadside fishing or remote wilderness experiences, you get to customize the experience that best fits your fishing style.

And make no doubt about it, wherever you go, there will be plenty of trout. Last year, a record number of trout were stocked and many of those fish are still swimming in our waters this year, thanks to exceptional summertime water levels. Combine these fish with a good production year at state hatcheries and 2005 has the ingredients for a fabulous year for trout fishing in the Mountain State.

Get your rod and fire up the old truck, because there has never been a better time to cash in on a quality trout-fishing experience in West Virginia than right now.