Spring Has Sprung, The Grass Is Ris’, Do You Know Where The Good Fishin’ Is?

Marlinton, WV – Spring has sprung and the grass is rise, do you know where all the good fishin’ is? That’s a question on the minds on many an avid fisherperson, eager to get out and maybe test that new fishing pole. Well for those who pursue the elusive and wiley trout, there’s especially good news this spring.

The Greenbrier River, which flows through the entire length of Pocahontas County, receives limited stocking in the northern end of the county periodically, but is not normally stocked by the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources in the middle to southern lengths of the river. That’s because the Greenbrier is primarily known as a Smallmouth Bass fishing stream in the summer, according to Chuck Workman, owner of Appalachian Sport in Marlinton. But springtime temperatures are cool enough to support trout in the Marlinton area.

With that in mind, a group of local Marlinton businesses are sponsoring a special trout stocking of the Greenbrier River this spring. While the major sponsors are Appalachian Sport and Mitchell Chevrolet, other sponsors include Dairy Queen, Pocahontas Foodland, Jerico Bed & Breakfast, The Greenbrier Grill and the Marlinton Motor Inn.

Cara Rose, Executive Director of the Pocahontas County Convention and Visitors Bureau is very excited about the stocking. After all, she says, Pocahontas is known as the Birthplace of Rivers, where no less than eight rivers have their headwaters.

Annually in West Virginia, 400,000 anglers spend nearly seven million collective days out on the water, according West Virginia Small Business Development. Rose says “This type of initiative has real potential to boost tourism dollar expenditures in Pocahontas County. Anglers eat, sleep and spend money at local businesses. ”

The Catch and Release method of sport fishing is encouraged in this type of stocking program. The week of March 26th marked the first in a series of anticipated releases. If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor for future releases, please contact Chuck Workman at 304-799-4050.