Webster County’s breathtaking scenery and outdoor adventures can certainly bring in a crowd, both from West Virginia locals and out-of-staters. With several rivers and streams, Webster County has quickly become a hot spot for fishermen and women to cast their lines and enjoy a serene day on the water.
Listed among the WV DNR’s, “Favorite Fishing Waters,” are the Elk, Cranberry, and Williams Rivers. Trout are stocked regularly in the Back Fork of the Elk, Elk, Cranberry, Desert Fork, Fall Run, Laurel Fork, Williams, Sugar Creek, Gauley, Left Fork of Holly, and Right Fork of the Little Kanawha.
We spoke with Nick Myers, a local fisherman who was born and raised in Webster County, about his passion for fishing in Webster County waters and why the county’s streams are unique from other fishing spots.
Q: How did you find your love for fishing? What do you find most enjoyable about the sport?
Nick: I grew up right here in Webster County on the river, and my granddad and dad started fishing with me when I was just a kid. I’ve carried that on to teaching my son about the techniques of fishing.
All I can say is there’s nothing like it. When you feel that tug on your line or you see your bait go underwater, or your float goes underwater, there is nothing that compares to trout fishing. The fish in Webster County are just as good as any other place in the state—maybe better—and I have fished in several other fishing areas around the state. Not to mention, the scenery is just beautiful here.
Q: Why is Webster County a good place to fish?
Nick: We’re very lucky because we have the Elk, the Back Fork of the Elk, the Williams River, and parts of the Cranberry River in Webster County. All four of those streams are stocked. The Elk is stocked every week along with the Cranberry and the Williams. The small-mouthed fish are excellent, too.
Q: Why do fishermen and women come to Webster and where do they stay?
Nick: Trout fishing is what brings people into Webster County. That’s Webster County’s bread and
butter as far as tourism goes and a lot of fishermen and women visit during the spring season because of trout fishing. People come and stay in Webster County at the many campgrounds around the county.
We’re lucky, too, because the Williams, the Elk, and the Back Fork of the Elk have catch and release areas.
Q: Tell us about the guide service you’d like to begin in Webster County.
Nick: I’d like to start a fishing guide service in the county and provide people with the necessities and outfit them for the day. We plan to take people to the stream and put them on fish if the water conditions are good and as long as it’s not flooding. We’re going to guarantee that customers have a day that bri
ngs in plenty of fish. We’ll also provide lunch to top it off.
I really want to offer this service because I want to be able to share the enjoyment that I have with fishing with other people.
As you can tell, Nick’s love and passion for fishing runs deep, and it’s all because of the wonders and waters that Webster County offers to locals and tourists. We look forward to his fishing guide service coming to Webster County in the future.
In the meantime, grab a fishing rod and some bait and head to one of the county’s many fishing spots, and have a relaxing day on the water.
Planning your trip? Let us help!
Here are some local options to get you started:
Supplies:
Bergoo – Carol’s Store
Webster Springs – Pap’s Sports Shop, Ace Hardware
Cowen – Trapper’s Den
Lodging:
Bergoo – Cowger’s Riverside Campground and Rentals, Carol’s Store
Click >> for Campgrounds
Click >> for Cabins
