Blog on Wildlife

Wildlife in Nelson County and Wintergreen Resort

When visiting Wintergreen Resort and Nelson County you could have the opportunity to see deer, black bear, bobcats, snakes and turkeys.  If you act responsibly in our mountains, both you and the animals will remain safe.  I am posting this now because the weather is warming and our animals usually come out of hiding this time of year. 

Give these animals plenty of space and please do NOT feed any of our animals—this goes for squirrels and chipmunks too.  “People food” is not healthy for our wild animals and feeding them only teaches dangerous habits to the animals.  This includes throwing your trash away in dumpsters and locking those dumpsters.  Our animals have very long memories.  They will travel for miles to a well-known trash can and they will remember your house for months or years.  Please don’t leave food on your decks or even your screened porches.  (or sliding doors open to your kitchen)  Don’t give them a reason to remember your house as a buffet stop.

I often get questions or concerns about the Black Bears in Wintergreen Resort.  It is not uncommon to see one of our bears while in the resort.  With care, everyone will remain safe and enjoy the mountains together.  Below are some tips from a brochure that I picked up at The Nature Foundation in Wintergreen Resort.

How to Avoid a Bear Encounter while Hiking

Yes, we do have Black Bears in both Wintergreen Resort and Nelson County.  Living in the county and working in the resort, I see them a few times a year. 

Hike in a group; most bears will leave an area once aware of your presence.

Stay on the established hiking trails and hike during daylight hours.

Keep children close and within sight.  Please don’t encourage your kids to follow a bear through the woods.

If a bear hears or smells you coming, they will leave the area.  Be extra careful hiking in the rain, near rushing water or into the wind as the bears may not be able to hear or smell your approach.

Be alert—Watch for signs that a bear is nearby.  (tracks, droppings, diggings, torn-up logs and scratched trees.  I can personally say that I had a bear encounter last week and it was because I did not stay aware of my surroundings. 

Bear foods—Be careful when you are around their natural foods.  They love blueberries, fruit trees and dead animals.  I have also seen them in corn fields.

Always keep your dog on a leash while in the resort or hiking in Nelson County—no matter the size of the dog.  Not only is an unleashed dog a danger to itself and animals, but they often get lost.

Bear cubs—Yes, they are very cute.  But their moms are never far away and will be very aggressive if they feel that their young are threatened.  Never get between a mother and her cubs.  A few of our mothers have more than one cub.  So, if you see one cub, be on the lookout for another. 

If you Encounter a Bear When Hiking

 Stay Calm:  Think ahead and plan how to respond if you do encounter a bear.  Our plan is to start singing the “Happy Birthday” song.  I have had the opportunity to use this plan once, and it did work.

Don’t run:  A black bear can easily outrun you.  Pick up small children and stay in a group.

Leave:  Leave the area and make a wide detour:  If you can not move, make sure that the bear has an escape route.  The bear wants to escape just as much as you do.

The bear may approach or rear up on its hind legs.  This is not necessarily a sign of aggression.  The bear is likely trying to catch your scent.  Back away slowly.  Aggressive behavior includes swinging his head back and forth, making vocalizations such as huffs, snorts, etc, display teeth or claws or swatting at the ground.  They also will lay their ears back, much like a dog when they are stressed.  The bear is asking for more space.  Back away slowly and make sure that the bear does have an escape route.

Fishing in Nelson County

Fishing in Nelson County is such a wide topic, that I will have to spread the information over several blogs throughout the Spring and Summer months.  Nelson County has hundreds of miles of streams and rivers plus many ponds and lakes.

Remember, everyone needs a license to fish in Nelson County.  If not joining one of the below classes, you can obtain a Virginia Fishing License on line at: 

www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/regulations/licenses

It is this time of year that I start to see fishers on the Rockfish River, near our home.  My family has been fishing in Nelson County’s streams and rivers for generations. My dad still fishes often and my brother-n-law is known for his fly fishing.  So, if you have any questions, send them to me at kim@ExperienceNelsonCounty.com.  If I can’t answer them, someone in the family will have the answer.

Orvis has even designated Nelson County as an official fly-fishing location on the east coast.

Wintergreen Resort’s Fly Fishing Program

Wintergreen Resort has partnered with Orvis for fly-fishing instruction and guided tours.    Wintergreen’s own Lake Monocan provides the perfect environment for beginner fly-fishing classes.  Learn the art of fly-fishing from the pros of Orvis and then head out on a guided tour of Nelson’s streams and rivers, including the James River.

Wintergreen offers half and full day fly fishing classes under the watchful eye of an Orvis-Endorsed instructor.   (note that you need to make a class reservation at least 48 hours in advance) Fly-casting instruction is based on The Orvis Progressive Method to Fly Casting and inexperienced to expert casters are welcome. All instruction includes the use of Orvis fly rods and equipment, and all classes are held at the facilities at Lake Monocan and on the private ponds surrounding Stoney Creek.

Wintergreen also offers both half and full day guided trout fishing trips.   Take a guided trout fishing tour either within Wintergreen Resort or to many of the county streams and rivers.  Or, arrange for a special float trip down the James River in eastern Nelson County.  All need a reservation 48 hours in advance.  For information, call 434-325-8181.

Fishing Outside of Wintergreen Resort

If you are interested in fishing on the Tye River, there is a great rental cabin directly beside the river.  For a virtual tour and rental information, click here: 

http://www.ubuildtours.com/tour.php?id=520

Favorite Fishing with Kids

Both the fish hatchery and the Montebello Camping and Fishing Resort are located on Rt. 56 in Nelson County.  Rt 56 can be reached either from Rt. 151 or from the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Be alert on this winding mountain road.  The drive is worth the fun that your whole family can have in the Montebello area.  This blog is about fishing, but I will be posting about other attractions to Montebello through all of the seasons.  Montebello means “Beautiful Mountain”.  This area is one of my favorites in the entire county and worth a visit during any season.

The Montebello State Fish Hatchery

I will admit that this is one of my favorites because my grandfather used to take me to the Montebello fish hatchery when I was a kid.  It is a memory that sticks with me, and I often stop by the hatchery when in Montebello.  It is fun (even for adults) to see the fish at each stage of their growth.  The fish hatchery is managed by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fishery.  Additional information can be found at www.stateparks.com/montebello.  Although it is the smallest hatchery managed by this department, it gets the most public visitors.  (remember…”Beautiful Mountain”)

Trout are reared in 33 outdoor raceways with water from on-site springs and also nearby Mill Creek.  Trout raised are brook, rainbow and brown trout.

Parking is free and there is a picnic shelter with tables.  Although the hatchery does not have a full time “visitor’s center” staff are always available to answer questions.  The hatchery is open daily from 8:30AM-3:30PM.  For information, call 540-377-2418.

Fishing with Kids in Montebello, VA

After you stop by and tour the hatchery, go by the fishing pond at the Montebello Camping and Fishing Resort.  (www.montebellova.com)  I am going to blog on camping in Nelson County later in the Spring, but check out the Montebello Camping web site.  This resort has fee fishing—or you keep everything that you catch and then pay for the fish by the pound.  All of their ponds are stocked with rainbow trout between 12-15 inches long.  This is a great way for a beginner to start with fishing.  All of the fishing gear that you will need can be purchased across the street at the Montebello country store.  (The country store is also well worth a visit)  The ponds are open the same hours as the country store.  (Since this is private property, no state license is required)

The Allen Creek Nature Preserve. 

The Allen Creek Nature Preserve is located at the corner of Stoney Creek East and Towhee Court in Stoney Creek at Wintergreen.  (For a map of Stoney Creek, stop by the Wintergreen Resort Premier Properties office in the Mountain Inn)  From the entrance of Stoney Creek, turn left onto Monocan Drive from Rt. 151 North.  Turn right on Stoney Creek East.  Turn left on Towhee Ct and there is parking on the left. 

The nature walk is 0.7 miles, over relatively flat terrain that is suitable for the entire family and many ability levels. (you may bring your dog, but please keep them on their leash)  The trail is well marked with blue blazes with well-maintained bridges and boardwalks.   The preserve was designed and created by the Wintergreen Nature Foundation.  The preserve is open year-round, but makes for a perfect Spring walk in the Rockfish Valley.

Much wildlife is known to be in the area, and this also adds to the experience.  The presence of wildlife can be discovered by their tracks in the mud by the stream or in the swamp.  This quiet area makes a perfect walk-through for bear, bobcat and raccoon at night.  As a matter of fact, once you leave the parking lot and begin the hike, it is hard to believe that this nature preserve is in the midst of the Stoney Creek community.  We heard many birds during our walk.  I suggest carrying a field guide.

The forest floor has awakened for Spring.  For April, there is a pink blooms from Virginia Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) and a white violet.  The ferns are starting to show.  By summer this area will be covered by a full canopy of shade and will provide a cool retreat for preserve visitors.  There is a picnic table next to Allen Creek that makes for a nice stop.

As the season progresses towards Summer, be sure to bring insect repellant. 

Shamokin Springs Nature Preserve

With Spring, I have received many requests for information on hiking either in Wintergreen Resort or near the resort.  Over the coming weeks, I am going to be posting on many hiking options. 

First, go by The Wintergreen Nature Foundation (www.TWNF.org) and pick up a map/brochure about the Shamokin Springs Nature Preserve.  TWNF is located in Wintergreen Resort on Wintergreen Drive.  (Across the street from the WinterGarden Spa and Fitness Center)  It is also a good idea to stop into the WTG Nature Foundation to learn about the wildlife that you may encounter on this walk.  You will see many birds, deer and sometimes a black bear. 

The Shamokin Springs Nature Preserve is a thirteen acre area in the heart of Wintergreen Resort, on Wintergreen mountain.  The parking area for this preserve is on the corner of Blue Ridge Drive and Shamokin Springs Trail.  The trail is a loop, and you will finish back at your car.

This is one of my favorite parts of the resort because cool air settles into this low area and it is a wetland habitat.  In the summer, the colors seem richer and the temperatures are cooler than anyplace else in the resort.  This is also the area where I have seen the most wildlife in the resort.  Be sure to bring your camera, but also be sure to remain wise when encountering any of our wildlife.  (there is also a brochure at the WTG Nature Foundation that is educational about the wildlife in Wintergreen Resort.  In an April blog, I will be discussing our black bears)

The area near bridge #2 is my favorite in the walk.  There is a water garden created from the mountain stream.  Many springs flow through the Nature Preserve and this has created a network of waterways.  Near these waterways, you will see many species of ferns, especially near bridge #11.  It is these waterways that also bring the wildlife to the Nature Preserve.  I was just in the Nature Preserve a few days ago, and our wet Spring has the water flowing.  April is a great time to walk this trail with the whole family. 

Here are just a few of the wildflowers, plants and trees that you can expect to see in April.  Spicebush, toothwort, common blue violet, bloodroot, marsh violet, round-leaf yellow violet, common serviceberry, trillium and early watercress

Fishing in Nelson County

By my Dad, John.

Fishing in Nelson County offers a variety of action.  There is the beautiful native Brook Trout which can be found on the headwaters of the Tye River and in the many small mountain streams that flow into the Tye, Rockfish and Piney River.   Plus, there is the great small mouth Bass fishing on the Eastern sections of the Tye and Rockfish Rivers.

Small Mouth Bass fishing is outstanding on the James River which forms the Eastern boundary of Nelson County from Bent Creek to Howardsville.  This section of the James River is noted nationwide for its Small Mouth fishing and is rapidly getting a like reputation for its Flathead Catfishing.  This section of the James River is easily traveled by canoe with several free canoe launching sites between Bent Creek and Howardsville.  A map of these launching sites can be obtained from the VA Game & Fish Department on line at www.dgif.virginia.gov

The VA Department of Game Inland Fisheries publishes a monthly magazine, Virginia Wildlife, which contains excellent articles on hunting and fishing in Virginia.  This is a great resource magazine for those interested in hunting and fishing in Virginia.  Call 1-800-710-9369 to subscribe.

Nelson County also offers excellent stocked trout fishing on the Tye River.  This river is stocked in the Spring and Fall.  Complete stocking information can be obtained from the web site at www.dgif.virginia.gov as well as information on licensee requirements and other rules and regulations.

The Department of Game & Inland Fisheries operates a trout fish hatchery at Montebello on Rt. 56 in Nelson County.  A visit here will allow you to see the trout that are being stocked in the Tye River and other trout streams in neighboring counties.  Just west of the fish hatchery, on Rt 56, is a small trout fishing lake which is excellent for teaching kids the thrill of catching a trout.  (A fee fishing lake)

In addition to stream fishing in Nelson County, there is lake fishing at Lake Nelson located just east of the small village of Arrington.  There is a boat ramp at this lake but only electric motors may be used.  The lake is well stocked with large mouth Bass,  Crappie and Catfish.

A Fishing Cabin Rental

If you are interested in renting a fishing cabin on the Tye River, click on the below link for a photo slide show of the cabin.  Send at email to kim@ExperienceNelsonCounty.com  for more information.