Life Outside Summer 2018 - 29

with paddlers at canoe landings with bikes for the
return trip. A few class II rapids keep paddlers alert.
"They were so much fun we ran them three times,"
says Jeff Smith, a North Carolina canoeist on a day
trip with his wife.
At Hungry Mother State Park's 108-acre lake,
visitors can rent boats (fishing, canoe, kayak and
paddle). A leisurely turn around the lake usually
takes about two hours.

FISHING
Wythe and Smyth counties, both mainstays of
the Blue Ridge Highlands Fishing Trail, offer an
abundance of fishing opportunities, from streams
and rivers to small lake teaming with a variety of
fish. Experienced anglers can find challenge trying to
hook the elusive brook trout in Dry Run Creek near
Wythe's Speedwell community. In addition to the
excellent fishing along Cripple Creek in the stocked
areas and the National Forest's Raven Cliff Recreation
Area, a private section of the creek offers anglers the
opportunity to catch trophy trout weighing in at two
pounds and over. There is a daily fee and reservations
as well as a license are required.
Cedar Springs Trout Farm has two miles of fishable stream on Cripple Creek that is stocked daily
with brook, rainbow, golden and brown trout. Also
on one of the private sections of this grassy, accessible stream, Cripple Creek Sportsman's Lodge
accommodates anglers overnight. Scenic Cripple
Creek Mill and Stream also offers lodging and guide
service to anglers on a private section of creek within
several miles of Speedwell.

The historic New River traverses the southwestern county with numerous easy access points and
boat launches including the New River Trail State
Park. The New River is renowned as one of the
premier smallmouth fisheries in the nation, and
harbors large populations of muskie and other
game fish as well. The New holds Virginia's state
records for largest smallmouth bass (8 pounds, 1
ounce) and largest muskie (45 pounds, 8 ounces.) 
In Smyth, folks gravitate to the North, Middle,
and South forks of the Holston, for trout and bass.
The South Fork, which runs through the mountains
near Sugar Grove, is formed by coldwater streams
and attracts anglers looking for wild rainbows and
brown trout. The Middle and North Forks are better
known for smallmouth bass. Hungry Mother Lake
contains bass, walleye, striped bass, and muskie.

OUTDOOR WONDERS
Above: Clear Cripple Creek is
stocked weekly with golden,
brown, and rainbow trout in
its privately owned fishing
sections.
Below left: Old iron furnaces dot the landscape along
Wythe County's Cripple Creek.
Below: Anglers attempt to
capture trophy trout on Cripple Creek.

Q

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29
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Life Outside Summer 2018

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