http://www.thegreenbriersportingclub.com

Angling Publications - Index

Angling Publications - Fly Fish America - September 2007 Issue - Index

"Jacob called my attention to a massive smallie lurking beneath a submerged log. He had stationed himself off a set of islands in
I heard a train faintly rumbling toward
me through the thick forest lining the
secluded river bank, and I must admit that
I found the sound strangely comforting.
It was nearly noon, and I'd been floating
down the Greenbrier River all morning in
a thick fog and had neither seen nor heard
another soul, save my guide, Jacob Ott,
and a single fly angler at the boat put-in.
Our only companions had been a pair of
Canada geese keeping watch over their
goslings, and the occasional deer slipping
out of the forest to drink from the river.
Yes, the train was strangely comforting,
like an old friend gently shaking me awake
from a midmorning dream.
Birthplace of Rivers
West Virginia just might be one of the
most underrated fisheries in the country.
And in spite of its proximity to large
population centers in Virginia, Ohio, and
Pennsylvania, the Mountain State experiences
relatively little fishing pressure.
The Greenbrier River originates in the
mountains of Pocahontas County and
meanders its way through high green
mountain passes and tiny towns, inviting
anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts to
50
its banks. Pocahontas County is sometimes
referred to as the birthplace of rivers
in West Virginia because no less than eight
rivers originate there. Great water and
ample skiing opportunities have turned
Pocahontas County into a top tourist
destination. Unfortunately, the county
has become a victim of its own success:
The Elk River, sister to the Greenbrier,
is ground zero for a contentious lawsuit
that has tremendous environmental implications;
naturally, fly anglers and other
conservationists around the country are
monitoring the case closely (see sidebar
for more information).
The Greenbrier River is most often associated
in people's minds with the iconic,
luxurious Greenbrier Resort, which has
welcomed the rich, famous, and powerful
(as well as the rest of us) to White Sulfur
Springs since 1778. Owned by CSX, the
grand hotel has a fascinating history, as
does the verdant, wooded area surrounding
the resort complex. During World
War II, for example, the government
used the remote, secluded area to intern
prisoners of war from Rommel's Africa
corps. The Greenbrier Sporting Club
(www.thegreenbriersportingclub.com)
now sits on the land that was once home
to these prisoners.
The sporting club's 6,500-acre community
is a haven for those who have
fallen in love with the area while visiting
the resort; over the years, many have
decided to purchase second homes here.
The area has changed a great deal since
World War II, of course; where once
there was barbed wire, beautiful homes
now dot the landscape. But vestiges of the
past remain: Jacob's office is in a cabin
that was once the home of the POW
camp's commandant.
Calm Water, Big Fish
A beautiful warmwater river with
plenty of wide pools, runs, and riffles,
the Greenbrier is calm water by West
Virginia standards-the perfect water,
in fact, for novice anglers or anyone
who prefers fishing to white-knuckle
rapids running. Though shallow in
many places, the river's breadth allows
for anxiety-free casts. Anglers wishing
to wade the Greenbrier have lots of options
as well; a call to one of the many
fly shops that service this river will put
you on to top wading spots.