Wild trout, like this one caught and released back into the South Branch of the Potomac, are considered an esteemed catch by many Mountain State trout enthusiasts. Photo by Bruce Ingram.

I have fished the special regulation sections of these streams on a number of occasions and each has much to recommend it, in addition to being unique in their own ways. For example, for the utter thrill of wilderness fishing, consider a visit to the Cranberry, specifically the 4.3-mile section from the junction of its North and South forks downstream to the low water bridge at Dogway Fork.

Visitors will have to come in by foot via the National Forest Route 76 from the Cranberry Glades parking area in Pocahontas County. But, hey, that's part of the appeal of the Cranberry. The stocking schedule varies on the catch-and-release section, as is true of the other similarly designated streams as well.

The Williams is citified compared with the Cranberry, as the former courses through the mountains of Pocahontas County and to reach it all one has to do is drive into the highlands and walk a short distance. This stream features riffles, boulders, and pools and good-sized rainbows and browns. The catch-and-release water is a two-mile section beginning two miles below Tea Creek and extending downstream. To reach the stream, travel along National Forest Route 86. One of the things I admire most about the Williams is that it is a picture postcard perfect example of what a mountaintop rill should look like.

The aspect of the Elk River that draws many anglers is that it is one of the foremost brown trout streams in the Southeast. Engage someone on the subject of fishing the Elk and invariably it seems the topic turns to jumbo browns caught -- or lost.

West Virginians have three catch-and-release sections to choose from on the Elk River system. Then, again, why bother to choose -- visit them all. The first is the two-mile section in Randolph County from the Elk Springs Campground downstream to Rose Run Bridge. Access is via county Route (CR) 49 off state Route 15.

The second one is on the Back Fork of the Elk in Webster County, a four-mile section beginning two miles upstream from Webster Springs and extending downstream. Access is via county routes 24 and 24/3.

The final catch-and-release water is the Slatyfork portion in Pocahontas County, a 4.6-mile section from the junction of the Big Spring and Old Field forks downstream to the mouth of Dry Branch, including Props Run and Big Run. Access is by foot from CRs 219/2 and 219/12.

In my opinion, the most consistently productive of this quintet of catch-and-release jewels is Shavers Fork. The catch-and-release section lies in Randolph County and is a 5.5-mile section found in the Monongahela National Forest from the mouth of Whitmeadow Run downstream to the mouth of McGee Run. Access is via National Forest Route 92.

Rounding out this group is the Blackwater River in Tucker County. Last year, I did a story for this magazine on the Blackwater, and the visit was definitely my most memorable one from a trout fishing perspective. To access the catch-and-release area, one will have to hike down into a canyon, something all West Virginia trout enthusiasts should do at least once in their lives.

You'll also have to scramble over and around cottage-sized boulders and scale a vertically challenging mountain on the way out, but the effort in terms of jumbo trout and a spectacular gorge are worth it. The special regulations section is 3.5 miles long and goes from the CR 29/1 Bridge in Blackwater Falls State Park downstream to the mouth of the North Fork.

PUT-AND-TAKE IMPOUNDMENTS
Of all the states in the Southeast, West Virginia could make the claim of hosting the best small lake trout sport. The Mountain State boasts some 40 ponds, lakes or tailwaters that receive trout stockings. And all of them are superlative put-and-take waters. Shingleton states that Spruce Knob, Summit and Buffalo Fork are a few of the popular traditional lakes. Other lakes that are popular because of their location or proximity to population areas include: Cacapon, Rock Cliff, Laurel, Wallback, Dunkard, Mountwood and Berwind to name just a few.