Freestone · Acidic Sandstone · West Virginia

Cranberry River

Deep in the Monongahela backcountry — a gated, walk-in freestone with native brookies in the Dogway Fork and stocked trout in the main river, a stream that's been clawed back from acid rain by years of liming.

Species

About as good as it gets

Low and clear — careful approach country. Take your time — read the water before you cast.

75% confidence in this read
Water temperature for brown trout
Ideal
12°C est.ideal 10–16°C
0°14°28°
Why this score · for brown trout
  • Temperature10028% weight
  • Flow8022% weight
  • Clarity9518% weight
  • Feeding Time5013% weight
  • Pressure807% weight
  • Insect activity4812% weight
Conditions
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp
11.5°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
16°C
Wind
N 9 km/h
Light breeze
Pressure
1025 hPa
Rain · 24h
0.0 mm
No rain
Rain · ahead
0.0 mm
No meaningful rain · next 48h

Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.

How to fish it · for brown trout
When
Nymphing can work through most of the day.
Where
Cover mixed depths.
Method
Start with tight-line nymphs and adjust if fish rise or drift higher.
Kit
9 ft #4 rod, floating line, 12 ft tapered leader to 4–5 lb fluoro tippet.
Why this works
Excellent — water temperature is right today, though insect activity could be better.
Through the year
0–3 scale · June highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Large Dark OliveHatch
1
2
2
1
Blue Winged OliveHatch
1
2
2
2
2
1
Autumn OliveHatch
1
2
1
GrannomHatch
1
1

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Directions
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About this water

Deep in the Monongahela backcountry — a gated, walk-in freestone with native brookies in the Dogway Fork and stocked trout in the main river, a stream that's been clawed back from acid rain by years of liming. Remote, quiet, and worth the legs.

  • Acidic sandstone