Shavers Fork of the Cheat River West Virginia Fly Fishing Report & Options for Selecting Flies: Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
We have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes that make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
Type of Stream
Freestone Stream
Species
Rainbow Trout (stocked)
Brown Trout (stocked)
Size
Medium
Location
Eastern West Virginia
Nearest Towns
Parsons
Bowden
Season
Year-round
Access:
Good
Non-Resident License
State of West Virginia
Weather
National Weather Service Link
Seasons:
Fly fishing Shavers Fork is best in the Spring and Fall.
Spring:
Spring provides the best fly fishing opportunities due to the hatches.
Summer:
The water gets low and can get too warm during the hottest part of summer.
Fall:
Fall is a great time to fish Shavers Fork.
Winter:
Fly fishing Shavers Fork can be good all winter weather permitting.
Copyright 2013 James Marsh
Fly Fishing Shavers Fork of the Cheat River West Virginia
Shavers Fork of the Cheat River is located in the Allegheny Mountains of eastern West Virginia. It is an 88 mile long river that, along with the Black Fork, forms the Cheat River. Shavers Fork rises at Thorny Flat, the highest part of Cheat Mountain.
The river offers both remote trout fishing sections and sections that are right along the road. A very good section of the remote part of Shavers Fork starts at Cheat Bridge and continues downstream to U.S. Route #33. Fly fishing Shavers Fork can be good at either the remote or easy to access sections.
The remote section of the Shavers Fork is stocked by the state from the town of Bowden to Beaver Creek, a 43 mile long section. The stocking takes place each Spring. The trout have plenty of aquatic insects to eat and usually do well. There are stoneflies, caddisflies, and mayflies as well as plenty of sculpin and baitfish.
Below U.S. Route #33, there are miles of the river flowing along the highway. This is by far the heaviest fished section.
Shavers Fork has lots of riffles and shallow water areas but also plenty of large, deep pools. Most of the river has plenty of large rocks and boulders and some parts, almost a solid rock bottom.
There’s a “catch-and-release” section located within the remote area of Shavers Fork that’s located within the national forest. It consist of a five and a half mile long extension from the mouth of Whitmeadow Run downstream to the mouth of McGee Run. Access to the no-harvest area is provided by Forest Service Route #92.
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Trout Flies for the Shavers Fork of
the Cheat River in West Virginia
Fly Line:
You could easily get by using a five weight floating fly line for all of the fishing. You may prefer a 6 weight floating line to fish nymphs and streamers.
Fly Rod:
You would want a fly rod to handle each of the two line sizes if you choose to use both. The five weight rod would be ideal at a length of nine feet. We think a medium fast to fast action would be best for this one. The six weight rod should be nine feet in length in a fast action. A stiffer tip rod works best for heavier nymphs and streamers.
Fly Reel:
The reels for the five and six weight lines should be light and have good drags. The drags should be smooth and adjust to fine increments.
Leaders:
A nine foot leader length would probably be the best all around length. You should also have a twelve foot length for fishing small dry flies. The only other exception would be when you are fishing streamers whereas you may want a short leader of only 3 or 4 feet. Make sure you have leaders in sizes ranging from 2X for streamers up to 7X for midges and other small flies.
Tippet:
You should also have plenty of extra tippet in sizes ranging from 2X to 7X.
Waders:
Waders are necessary most anywhere you fish Shavers Fork. We prefer the breathable type.
Wading Boots:
Felt soles would still be our choice.
Wading Staff:
The use of a wading staff would be optional. The stream is fairly easy to wade.
Landing Net:
A landing net would be purely optional.
Trout Flies:
We recommend our “Perfect Fly” trout flies. We have specific imitations of everything insect that exist in and around Shavers Fork that trout eat. The trout that have been around for a while do get used to eating the natural food in the stream. Perfect Flies are the most realistic flies you can purchase and come in all stages of the life of the most all of the common aquatic insects. If you haven’t done so already, we hope you will give them an opportunity to work for you. We feel confident that you will be glad you did.