Easy access to delayed-harvest trout
On The Fly Freshwater
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February 2024
Article and photos by Jimmy Jacobs
Back Creek is undoubtedly the least known of the tailwater trout fisheries in Virginia. That is partially due to being overshadowed by the nearby Jackson River into which it flows. Most anglers seem to bypass Back Creek as they are drawn by the reputation of that larger stream.
Located in the Allegheny highlands of the Old Dominion’s west-central portion, Back Creek flows from north to south through a scenic valley in Bath County between Little Mountain to the west and Back Creek Mountain on the east. The valley is less than 10 miles east of the West Virginia border.
The Back Creek tailwater trout fishery is a short one, stretching only 1.5 miles downstream from the Beaver Run Bridge on County Road 600 (Big Back Creek Road) just below the dam at the Bath County Pump Storage Station reservoir and power station that is jointly owned by Dominion Generation and FirstEnergy. This pump-storage facility first opened back in the mid 1980s, in conjuction with creating a recreation area below the dam. Additionally, extensive modifications to the stream flow were incorporated to enhance holding water for trout.
Initially the tailwater was stocked only with fingerling trout. The idea was to create a trophy brown trout fishery, so the regulations mandated single-hooked artificial lures only and a daily creel limit of 2 trout, which had to be at least 16 inches long.
Unfortunately, the water coming through the 60-foot-high dam was too warm in the summer for the trout to carry over in large numbers. As a result, in the fall of 1992 Back Creek was changed to a delayed-harvest stream, with heavy stocking of catchable-sized trout. Generally, in Virginia stocked waters, the ratio of fish released is 55 percent rainbows, 25 percent brookies and 20 percent brown trout.
Under this management scheme the portion of the tailwater below the dam is heavily stocked with catchable-sized trout five times from October until May. The DH season opens on October 1 each year and fishing is permitted under catch-and-release regulations, with only single-hooked artificial lures allowed.
Beginning May 16 through September 30 the stream reverts to general trout regulations, using the state creel limit and allowing any type of bait or lures. These rules are in effect from the Beaver Run Bridge downstream to the Haul Road Bridge (the next bridge downstream, also on CR 600).
From its beginning the DH section of the Back Creek tailwater is never more than a medium- to large-sized mountain stream. It averages no more than 25 to 30 feet wide along its course through the Bath County Recreaitonal Campground. Additionally, the flow is ordinarily crystal clear and often quite shallow.
Access to the water is very good, with many sections having cleared banks that make casting easy. Despite the shallower runs, enough stream improvements have been done over the years to provide the trout with holding areas. Most of the trout encountered are freshly stocked rainbows, but some fish do carry over, so it is possible to take a larger brown or rainbow.
As with most stocked streams, the trout take a while to aclimatize to their new home. At first San Juan Worms, Y2Ks and egg patterns usually are most effective. Nymphs, such as Copper Johns in copper or red patterns work, as do Prince Nymphs. As with most DH trout, Wooly Buggers in black, olive or crystal also attract the attention of the fish.
By the spring months, the trout are more likely to come to surface to feed, particularly when that season’s caddis hatches take place. Stimulators and Parachute Caddis patterns are local favorites to cast during that action.
Due to the open grassy areas along the creek, in the late spring, there also may be a “terrestrial” hatch. Grasshopper patterns drifted down the runs and through pools can attract some vicious strikes.
As a rule of thumb, the trout action on the tailwater ends around Memorial Day when the harvest season begins to greatly thin out the trout.
That doesn’t mean the fishing for the year is over. Even earlier, but especially as the water warms a bit, casting a streamer pattern can also produce strikes from rock and smallmouth bass. Both those species are present and offer a summer option in the creek.
Access to Back Creek is available at the campground and recreation area. A parking lot is provided (for a small fee). The area also offers picnic pavilions, restrooms, playgrounds for the youngsters and two small warm water ponds, one of which has a swimming area.
There also is room to park at the bridge at the lower end of the DH section.
To find Back Creek, take State Route 39 west from its junction with U.S. Highway 220 near the village of Warm Springs. Continue past the Blowing Springs Campground to the intersection with CR 600, then turn right (north) to reach the delayed-harvest portion of the stream and the recreation area.
