Trout Farms

[Don]

I've heard several fisherman state that they love to fish at Rockbridge and pay a fee for catch and release. I mentioned to one that it came across to me that it was an oversized hatchery and I wondered if they felt like it was sporting or if it was shooting fish in a barrel. They replied that they had a hatchery and they stocked the river and generally Taney does essentially the same thing. I've never been there and I wonder if any of you readers have and what you thought of it.

Thanks.....Don

[Fish Bork]

Its basically what I think of a trout park except its private instead of the Conservation Dept. pay you fee catch your trout.

[MTM]

I think it depends on the place being fished. If it is catch and kill for the most part they stock it all the time and the fish can not get spooky and are easy to catch.

If it were like some of the Spring Creeks out here you pay a fee to fish them and it is all catch and release it can be some of the toughest fishing you can have. Try catching a fish that has been fished over or caught several times in the past year.

Some lakes out here are so easy I do not see how anyone could enjoy catching fish that are as stupped as a clock. You see picture's of large fish on the cover's of magazines like Fly Fisherman and a lot of those fish come from just such places. But it makes people look at the magazine.

There is a guy in PA that leases land up and then stocks the streams with huge fish and then feeds them with fish pellet's to keep them in the sections that he leases. People pay one heck of a lot of money to be a part of that club. And believe me you have to be very rich to belong. That to me is not fishing. It is catching and you learn nothing from doing that type of fishing. But you become and instant hero and that is why they pay the big bucks. This operation has been in a lot of magazines In the past year or two. I forget the fee but membership is close to a 100 grand and then you pay a yearly fee on top of that. In my book there is no fish worth that type of money. Not when I can go and catch good fish for nothing and be proud of what I did and maybe lean something at the same time. Just my view point. Ron

[timsfly]

Rockbridge can be a lot of fun, you can go over there this time of year and catch a lot of fish on hoppers, and beetles, now you are right it is not nears as tough as a full day on san juan or on the green or other places like that, but the trout do fight hard and are fun to catch and they can be spooky but usually they are not. Rockbridge stocks nice sized trout and plenty of them, I understand they are rebuilding the end section of the river and are going to make a C&R area, for a fee. Anyway don't knock untill you've tried it, when the water is to high at the tailwaters and the parks are overcrowded a day trip to one of the pay to fish creeks in missouri can be fun. Just my opinion but they can be fun, are are a great place to take a kid, they are never as crowded as the parks and when it is this hot it nice to wet wade and fish all day.

[Brian Wise]

Rockbridge does have a C&R fishing permit. C&R fishing is only permitted below the bridge and the fee is $75 for a day of C&R fishing.

As far as Sportsman like, a place like Rockbridge or Springvalley Trout Rance (just west of Rockbridge) can be a great place for older people to actually "get out there" usually trout farms are well groomed and fairly easy wading making them perfect for out older generation to be able to wet a line.

Having said that, I think $75 for a day of C&R fishing is a little steep. I live about 20 minutes from Rockbridge and I've never fished it, I'm 15 minutes from the North Fork of the White, 30 Minutes from the White, and 40 Minutes from Norfork. If I didn't live so close to crazy good water and a trout farm was in my backyard....I'd fish it every once in a while.

Brian

[Phil Lilley]

MDC calls it, "Put & Take" or in the case of trophy areas, "Put, Grow & Take".

[WebFreeman]

I caught my first trout at Rockbridge. It's not that much different than the parks except the fish are a lot bigger. I haven't been there is years, but it's nice. $75 does seem pretty high, but it might be worth it just to beat the crowds. The creek is very scenic at it's a really pretty area. Like Tim said, it's a great place to take a kid or wife/gf to get them hooked.

[Gavin]

If your comparing Taney to Rockbridge......They are both filled with lots of friendly fish, but Rockbridge has better scenery, food, and accomodations. Cheers.

[leo]

I use Rockbridge. My wife and I are blessed with 2 children ages 5 and 9. I take each one of them on a 1 on 1, dad only trip once a year. It was my 9 year old daughters 4th time down, and my 5 yesr old boys 2nd. First and formost, it is the time spent 1 on 1. It re-enforces how important each child is to me. Secondly, there is so much action, they can actually get tired of catching fish. When their arms start getting sore, it is time to hit the pool, put together legos, read or eat.

Yes, for an expieranced fisherperson, it is like shooting fish in a barrel. Most of their guests do not fall in that catigory and may only catch 1 fish an hour...but guess what...they get to succeed and are proud of their accomplishment.

I have made 2 trips there in the past several weeks. My 9 year old caught and landed a 4 lb bow and my 5 yr old a 2.9lb. We average 5 plus landed fish an hour with an average weight of 2 lb. We use 2 lb. test, and mash down the barbs, and do not use a net, so the kids loose quite a few in addition to the ones that are landed.. They are learning how to play large fish on light line, not to reel against the drag, and to keep the rod tip up. More importantly, they are learning the important stuff. That it is not the end of the world if a fish comes off, how to respect another mans water and space,

and that it is great to offer to help the other people. There is enough space on the stream where they can be kids too. Whether it is looking for crawdads, or even controled rock thowing. (not around other people).

The staff is very kid friendly and let the kids help feed the fish in the hatcheries. They are a large family owned "resort" with lodging and a restaurant. The food is quality and incredable, it is easy to gain weight while staying there.

No, I am not he owner nor do I own stock in the place. It is a great place to take the kids, teach values, and PUT THEM ON FISH.

[Kayser]

Maybe I should go there; try to improve my large fish fighting abilities. I've broken off on some really big fish this year.

Rob