Trout Fishing at Craigs Creek in Giles and Craig County, Virginia
Craigs Creek is one of my favorite places on earth to fish for trout. The reason is simple: this place has some big trout. When I say big trout, I’m not just talking about the rainbows that they stock; I’m talking about the native brown trout.
The great thing about Craigs Creek is you don’t have to wait until they stock the trout before you fish there. Sure, it may be easier to catch your limit once they stock, but there are usually a few browns and plenty of rainbows left over from the year before. You can find out the stocking schedule anytime by calling (434) 525-FISH.
The key to successful fishing at Craigs Creek is to slip on your waders, fish as far from the beaten path as possible and tread quietly. You have to sneak up on the Craig Creek monsters if you ever want a chance to hook one. The big boys that have been there for a while are easily spooked. And whatever you do, don’t overlook the narrow portions of the stream that look empty. I hooked my biggest trout ever in a 2 ft. wide section that seemed desolate.
When I fish at Craigs Creek, I use only two lures. I have tried just about every lure and trout bait under the sun, and I can promise you that you will have more success with these two than anything else. The lures I am talking about are the Mepps Agilia and the Trout Magnet.
The Mepps Agilia: I have caught more fish on this lure than I have caught with any other. This lure is simply amazing. The Mepps Agilia comes in several styles, and nothing short of this certain style will work. You have to have a Mepps #1 Agilia with a silver blade and squirrel tail dressed hook. You will find the #1 stamped on the silver blade. This lure works best during early spring to early summer and is not a good fall or winter lure.
Tip: Cast the lure downstream, into the still waters below the rapids, below overhanging tree branches. Try different retrieval speeds until you find out what works. Use 6 lb test line—Berkley Vanish works best.
The Trout Magnet: If they won’t hit the Mepps, try using the Trout Magnet. Like the Mepps, this lure comes in a variety of colors, and I have found that the brown with the gold body works best. This is a good year-around lure. I often alternate between the Mepps and The Trout Magnet until I find out what the trout prefer. Often times they will hit this lure as soon as it hits the water. The instructions on how to use this lure can be found on the back of the package. If you follow these instructions, you should do well.
Be sure to bring plenty of extra lures; it is very easy to lose them in the trees. Also, you might find it helpful to bring some needle nose pliers to remove the hooks, especially if you hook into a pickerel. Pickerel love these Mepps just as much as the trout do.
