By Cory Boothe
Coryboothe@hotmail.com
Although the snow accumulates on my window seal, the WVDNR is still out stocking trout. The waters of West Virginia are being supplemented with fresh rainbow, brook, golden, and brown trout.
Most of these trout are 10 or 12 inches, however some will push the tape measure past the two foot mark. These trout will be 4 or more pounds and are capable of making the drag on your fishing reel sing with pressure.
What's the largest trout ever caught in the state?
The largest brown trout ever came from the South Branch of the Potomac near Ruddle. This 32 inch, 16 pound behemoth was caught by Paul Barker in 1968. The bait of choice wasn't a casto spinner or rainbow powerbait, but a 6 inch, live creek chub. This was probably a wild fish.
The state record rainbow came from a fee-fishing pond in 2005 for the lucky Aaron Propps. This giant from Monroe County weighed over fifteen pounds and was 30.5 inches long. That is the state record for weight, but the state record for length comes from Stonecoal Lake.
This fish caught by John Arnett in 1993 was 31.7 inches long. Stonecoal Lake is not stocked by the state but by a local sportsclub via club bingo. So both rainbow records are stockers.
The state record brook and golden are also via the stock truck. The state record brook length is 23.5 inches long from Lost River over in the eastern panhandle. The weight record is 7.64 pounds caught from Shaver's Fork in 2004.
Danny Crider caught the state record golden the day in was stocked in Brandywine Lake in 1998. It was a 26.4 inch fish weighing 9.31 pounds.
So is another state record in the cold waters of West Virginia?
I'm not sure, but I am recommending you buy a $10 trout stamp and try and find out.
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