Last Tuesday Jeanette and I left for a week to visit Shenandoah National Park. This has always been a destination for me in which I planned to fish for southern Appalachia brook trout. But on this trip I did not bring one piece of fishing gear, this was to be a time for walking, and discovery of one of the most beautiful parks in the nation.
Shenandoah was created in the nineteen thirties and built in part by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The road which travels through the park is known as Skyline Drive and offers one views that are awesome. The park is full of history, both man made and natural. There are many trails that can be enjoyed, including easy peaceful walks as well as difficult strenuous hikes into the back country which is a designated wilderness.
We truly enjoyed our visit here and will return again in the fall, this time with a 3wt.
With ample rain the mountain woods were lush and green. There are so many peaks that were not visible to us because of the weather, which featured some thunderstorms and fog.
Mountain Laurel was in bloom and the flowers through out the park gave us every color there is.
A natural rock tunnel....I guess it's safe.
This meadow was one of the gentler walks. Deer could be seen heading from the grassy fields to the wood line with their young.
This is a walk that required a little bit of navigation. There was Lupine in bloom as well as these beautiful tiny yellow flowers.
All along the ridge were these wild strawberries. These berries have the most sweetest taste, and leave the nicest fragrance on your hands.....We were not the only ones enjoying the wild strawberries this day.
We came up on this fellow eating berries like there was no tomorrow. We stood there for some time and he did not notice us because he never looked. I decided that it's best to let him know we were there so as not to alarm him, and give him a chance to flee. So I whistled and he looked up saw us and quickly left.
Sometimes this is safer than wild berries.
CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE
That looks like a beautiful place for sure. Thanks for taking us along Alan...
ReplyDeleteHighPlainsFlyFisher,
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Photos do it no justice. Really awesome.
That place totally sucks, people need to stay out of there. It's mine, mine I tell you! What is there to like about a place where you can catch smallies in the morning and wild brook trout in the afternoon?
ReplyDeleteKevin Frank,
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No spot burning here friend. Great place indeed.....I might tap you for info.
I don't know the place real well but I do know a pretty secluded brookie stream that gets virtually no pressure. Not sure why but I'm not going to over analyze it. Holler at me if you want more info.
DeleteWhat a gem! Amazing feat of self control to leave the rod and reel at home.
ReplyDeletetenkara ambassador,
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A gem indeed. I had all I could handle not bring the gear. But we did enjoy the park without it.
Wow - what a cool adventure. I am excited to see how your journey goes in the fall... Shenandoah is an absolutely gorgeous place!
ReplyDeleteHibernation,
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We loved it. Autumn brookies, looking forward to it.
Sounds like a great trip but I can't believe you left home without your kit! I just stopped along skyline drive last month driving my daughter home from college in TN. We stayed at the Peaks of Otter lodge and got up the next morning to take pictures in the sunrise. Beautiful country for sure. I left saying to myself, someday I'll come back and fish here. Herbert Hoover's Rapidan camp looks really interesting to explore
ReplyDeleteMark,
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Wonderful place Mark. The "kit" stayed home but honestly I still enjoyed myself totally.
Hoovers camp was on our list, but we decided to go visit "Waltons" mountain instead.
Brk Trt,
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid, my family & I went on vacation to the skyline drive area of Virginia for about 2 weeks, and it looks the same as many years ago. At that time I was amazed at the history that area brought to me, and I'm still amazed to this day. Oh, and I forgot! The beauty that it brings is second to none...........Phil
DRYFLYGUY,
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Phil, I was impressed how much Civil War history is encompassed in those mountains.
As you know I've fished that area many times. You're in for a treat this fall. Hope you do a post on Harry and his fly shop.
ReplyDeleteApache Trout,
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I am aware of your ventures in the area. You will be questioned.
Spent a hour plus with Mr. Murray, quite a man. I have a post on my visit to his shop planned.
Cool. :-)
DeleteBrk Trt visited that area in the late 1980's, in the fall and you are in for a treat!! Beautiful in the fall with the foliage.
ReplyDeleteBrk Trt visited that area in the late 1980's, in the fall and you are in for a treat!! Beautiful in the fall with the foliage.
ReplyDeleteTROUT1,
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I'm told the area rivals any when it comes to Autumn beauty.
Did you fish Pete?
Well, Alan, this post I can really relate too. Way back in 1971, fresh out of the Viet Nam war, I hiked around in this area for a couple of days with a couple of buddys. Still recall the beautiful trails and area. Oh, and also, the rain..............................
ReplyDeleteMel Moore,
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That was back a few years. The thunderstorms and the amount of rain that falls is unreal.
what a great place to vacation! i've never been, but have several bloggers that have posted from the area.
ReplyDeleteTexWisGirl,
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Theresa the length of the park is something like 100 plus miles of woods and waters. One needs several weeks to capture what it has to offer.
Thanks for the trip through the park. You always do a good job as a guide. A beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteMark Kautz,
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Mark I know you would be at peace, just hookup your camper and come check it out.
Alan, nice report. It's a great place to fish. If you want any advice, let me know!
ReplyDeleteJim C.
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I am going to take you up on the advice offer. I'm sure I'll get the best.
Alan, definitely contact me. There are some lesser known waters and tribs that I know you'll enjoy. Fall is prime time if the flows are good.
DeleteJim,
Deletemy email address is uppahdam@aol.com
Drop me a note so I'll have yours.......thanks.
Glad you had a chance to visit this beautiful park. I, too, look forward to a return trip in fall, with fly rod, of course. The streams in spring and autumn are rewarding, to say the least.
ReplyDeleterivertoprambles,
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Walt come autumn I'll be toting a 3wt for sure. Looking forward to it.
Alan
ReplyDeleteThis place is a notch ahead of the GSMP in Tennessee. My wife's Grandmother lived in Richmond Va. for years and we visited the park a couple of times while she was alive. It is probably the most beautiful place we have ever visited. We were told that parts of the movie Shenandoah with Jimmy Stewart was filmed in the Shenandoah valley. Thanks for sharing
Bill Trussell,
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Bill it's one of the top 5 places I've seen. I'll get further into it come fall.
Absolutely beautiful place sir. I love that you saw a black bear and were able to observe it for a while undisturbed. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAtlas,
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I've encountered a few in my travels but not one like this. He was totally engrossed in those berries and I believe we could have watched him for quite awhile.
Great scenery Alan. As I always say, sometimes it's okay to leave the fly rod at home. There's always tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteHoward,
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I do that often we do enjoy walking trails as much as fishing the streams. It's a wonderful passion this fly fishing.
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DeleteFantastic, spent a lot of my childhood camping and hiking in that area. Thanks for taking me back, fall is beautiful there.
ReplyDeleteLQN,
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I wish I found the park sooner. A wonderful place.
Alan...he
ReplyDeletebeautiful ....serene....peaceful...makes me wanna go live in the woods....nice bear pic....soon the strawberries will be gone then he'll eat blue-berries..yum....
Is blue-ridge mountains in or near there...?
tight lines on those thin blue 1's...
flyfisher1000,
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Dave I've seen black bears tear up wild blueberries in Maine...they love them.
Shenandoah is located in the Blue Ridge.
A beautiful spot Alan ..thanks for sharing..
ReplyDeletepenbayman,
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Mike you can't imagine just how beautiful it is.
Looks like a beautiful trip. Really enjoyed all of your photos. I'd be skeptic on that rock tunnel...those things sort of freak me out. haha
ReplyDeleteJustin Carfagnini,
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That tunnel has been intact since the 30's. But my wife is with you in the thought on the safety of the tunnel.