Scott County Outdoors . . .

Scott County boasts natural beauty equal to any in the East. With hard-wood forested mountains, broad valleys, two rivers and six creeks, there is plenty of scenic country side and waterways to satisfy a variety of outdoor interests. Whether you enjoy canoeing, fishing, hiking, hunting, photography or just a relaxing picnic - - -

we've got just the spot for you!

 

Fishing . . .

 

Rivers:

The Clinch - traversing the northern portion of Scott County (from Dungannon to Hawkins Co., Tennessee) the Clinch is a stream of variety. Some stretches provide exciting white water suitable for experienced paddlers while other areas feature miles of gently flowing pools. The Clinch boasts the largest variety of fish to be found in any Virginia stream. Small and largemouth bass, red-eye, blue-gill, channel, blue, and shovel-bill cat fish, crappie, walleye, and numerous non-game fish are abundant. The Va. Game Commission has also successfully stocked muskies in the Clinch. Until recently the State Record musky came from one of its many large pools. Boaters will find 4convenient , public boat ramps to allow them easy access to the section of their choice. These are located at Dungannon, Hill Station, Clinchport, and 8 miles below the Speers Ferry Bridge. In addition, the Clinch boasts 22 different species of fresh-water mussels - many of which are on the rare and endangered species list.

 

The North Fork of the Holston : The Holston River (all three forks) features excellent fishing. Whether an angler is after channel or blue catfish, red-eye, blue gill or some variety of non-game fish, he or she will find them in abundance in the swift waters of the Holston. But the real star is the small mouth bass. Few streams in the East contain a better population of this acrobatic battler. Because of its many relatively shallow stretches, it is a favorite of those fishermen who prefer to fish from canoes, john-boats, or to wade. The Holston crosses Scott County on its Southern boundary from Mendota to Sullivan County, Tennessee.

 

Creeks:

Copper Creek - Winding its way from Russell County, Va. on the Eastern part of the County to Clinch River (above Speers Ferry Bridge), Copper Creek features miles and miles of scenic beauty spiced with abundant red-eye and smallmouth bass. Although too shallow for boating, many enjoy wading or tubing in its cold, clear water.

 

Big Moccasin Creek - Lying to the South of Copper Creek, Big Moccasin also begins in Russell County, Va. but empties into the North Fork of the Holston at Weber City, Va.. Many of its winding miles of water lay in the beautiful pastoral valley that shares its name. With impressive numbers of red-eye, blue-gill, and smallmouth bass, many anglers have chosen Big Moccasin as one of their favorite streams . Like Copper Creek, it is too shallow for boating, but not for a relaxing day of fishing.

 

Big Stoney Creek - Rushing out of the Jefferson National Forest at Ft. Blackmore, Big Stoney is the largest of the 3 Trout Streams in Scott County. This cold, swift stream has been stocked by the Va. Game Commission for many years and holds a good population of rainbow and brook trout - some that have escaped the fisherman's lure for several years and grown to bragging size.

 

Little Stoney Creek - A smaller version of the stream that shares its name, Little Stoney also begins in the Jefferson National Forest but exits at Dungannon, through Hanging Rock Park, before flowing into the Clinch River. Although not as broad, Little Stoney features some of the most scenic rapids and waterfalls in the area - to say nothing of the trout that like it just fine.

 

Stock Creek - Meandering through the relatively flat area of Rye Cove and Clinchport, one would not expect to discover the awesome spectacle that this little creek has helped form at Natural Tunnel State Park. Many people are equally surprised by the trout that lurk under its undercut banks and rocks. Stock Creek is a great place for a relaxing day afield.

 

Valley Creek - Of approximately the same size as Stock Creek, this little stream wanders through the Twin Springs and Valley Creek Communities before entering Copper Creek. Overlooked by all but the few who know of the big redeyes and the occasional smallmouth that lurk in its deeper runs, it receives little fishing pressure but produces many smiles.

 

 

Hunting . . .

 

Scott County was once the chosen hunting grounds of both the Cherokee and Shawnee Nations.

For many it remains their chosen spot to enjoy a day afield. Whether one hunts deer, turkey, ruffed grouse, raccoon, squirrel, rabbit, or some other variety of small game, it is hard to find a more scenic and game filled area that Scott County. Jefferson National Forrest is a chosen spot for many, but abundant private land is also available . All that is usually required of the hunter is a cordial request to the land owner.

 

Hiking . . . Photography . . . Memory-Making

 

For many, their favorite pastime is to hike scenic, out of the way areas where they can enjoy the serenity and beauty of nature. Whether one prefers remote country roads or more challenging mountain trails, Scott County is the place to be. With more unpaved roads than any other County in Virginia, it isn't hard to find long stretches where few cars will even be seen - but where many photographic gems will be . And if you are of the more adventurous sort, there are miles of developed trails and trackless mountains to explore to your hearts content. Regardless of how often you come or how long you stay - we guarantee you will take away many lasting memories of the beauty you have encountered while in Scott County.

Developed Trails include:

-"The Devil's Bathtub" - a scenic trail that follows the Devil's Fork of Big Stoney Creek in Ft. Blackmore (approx. 7 miles)

- "The Falls of Little Stoney" - a more challenging 3 1/2 mile trek from Hanging Rock State Park, in Dungannon, to the beautiful, upstream falls of this mountainous stream ( a much less difficult 1/2 mile trail also leads to this scenic spot from the top of the mountain above the park)

 

Links to Sites of Interest to Those Who Love the Outdoors. . .

 

The Va. Department of Game & Inland Fisheries

http://www.state.va.us/~dgif/index.htm

 

Virginia Fishing Records

http://www.finefishing.com/finefish2/RECORDVI.HTM

 

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

http://tvo.xtn.net/twra.htm

 

Tennessee Fishing Records

http://www.wwns.com/fishing/recfsh.htm

 

George Washington & Jefferson National Forests

http://www.fs.fed.us/gwjnf/forestfacts.html

 

Regional Fly Fishing Pages - Trout Fishing

http://ns.netmcr.com/troutnc/reg.ffpages.html

 

The Va. Flyfishing Site

http://www.sklarew.com/vaflyfish/region/region5.html

 

Fisheries Links

http://139.70.40.46/links.htm

 

Virginia Sportsman's Bulletin Board

http://announce.com/vanet/wwwboard/wwwboard.html

 

The National Wild Turkey Federation

http://www.2.ool.com/kids/nwtf.html

 

About the Whitetail Deer

http://www.whitetaildeer.com/deer/the_whitetail

 

Smallmouth Bass Info. Page

http://www.fw.umn.edu/biochr/assoc/dho/pers/fish/smb/smb.htm

 

Catfish Info. Page

http://www.state.ia.us/dnr/organiza/fwb/fish/iafish/catfish/catfishf.htm

 

Catfish Recipes

http://www.mymenus.com/Aing05_002.html

 

Musky Info. Page

http://www.musky.com/bnptoc.htm

 

The Va. Chapter of the Nature Conservancy

http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/~conserve/vachap/vachap.html

 

Virginia Hunting Info.

http://www.bowsite.com/bowsite/states/va.html

 

The National Park Service

http://www.nps.gov/

 

Outside Online

http://outside.starwave.com/

 

The Appalachian Trail Home Page

http://www.fred.net/kathy/at.html

 

The National Rifle Association

http://www.nra.org./

 

Back Country

http://io.datasys.swri.edu/