Whether you are an angler or a paddler, Scott County, Virginia has the waters to suit your sport.
Both the Clinch and Holston Rivers are full of smallmouth, spotted, rock and largemouth bass, sauger, sunfish, musky, crappie and freshwater drum. The Clinch River is one of the most bio-diverse rivers in the world, while the north fork of the Holston is a trophy smallmouth bass fishery.
Between April 15 and May 31, the Clinch River offers a rare fishing opportunity—sucker shooting. During this time, anglers climb into Sycamore trees lining the river banks and shoot the red horse suckers spawning in the shallow waters along the shore. Vermont is the only other place in the U.S. where sucker shooting is allowed.
Stocked regularly, Bark Camp Lake in the Jefferson National Forest is a 45-acre lake managed by the U.S. Forest service. This water offers up largemouth bass, black crappie, several sunfish species, channel catfish and trout.
Additional trout fishing opportunities exist throughout the county on stocked trout streams such as Big Stony Creek and Little Stony Creek.
Fishing licenses are available at the Front Porch Store and Deli in Ft. Blackmore and Black Diamond Market in Dungannon. You can also grab lunch or snacks at either store.
Both the Clinch and Holston Rivers are suitable for kayaking, canoeing and tubing. Both flow through picturesque countryside full of stunning bluffs, deep swimming pools and rolling farmland.
Tent and RV camping is available along the Clinch River at Camp Clinch, located near the Tennessee/Virginia State Line. It’s easy to drop a line from the bank at Camp Clinch or take a 3-hour float trip from Speers Ferry back to the campsite.
Cabins, plus tent and RV camping are also available at Natural Tunnel State Park. Four primitive Yurts, one with handicap-accessibility, are available now at Natural Tunnel. Appalachian Mountain Cabins is another great place from which to access the Clinch.
Accommodations close to the Holston River include the Estillville Bed & Breakfast in downtown Gate City and Boones Pointe Cabins. Both offer easy access to dining, shopping and entertainment.
Familiar fast food chains are available throughout the county. For a local dining experience, try Teddy’s, the Hob Nob or Campus Drive-In.
For more information or help planning your trip to Scott County, Virginia, please call 276-386-6521.
