Staunton River

CONTACT US or call 434-385-0200 to book your trip with us on the Staunton.

Target species / Timing
Our trips on the Staunton primarily target smallmouth bass from April through mid-October. During the spring we also focus on striped bass which migrate upriver from Kerr Reservoir. Largemouth and Kentucky (spotted bass) abound in some years, including 2012. While we consistently aim for black bass (smallmouth, largemouth and Kentucky), we enjoy the variety which this river offers. Walleye flourish in the Staunton, as do catfish and carp--two hard fighting fish which do not get the respect they deserve. Bream and red-ear sunfish are usually present in strong numbers, and occasionally we land the Roanoke bass (ambloplites cavifrons) peculiar to this river basin. The most elusive is the long-nosed gar, which is easier to hook than it is to land.

We fish the Staunton on all stretches of the 40 miles from Leesville Dam to Brookneal. Access on the Staunton is relatively limited. With only four Va State managed public landings from the dam to Brookneal, public landings are fewer than on the James, Shenandoah or New Rivers. Parks in Altavista and Long Island offer some decent options for short floats. Leesville Dam to Altavista stretches 12 miles, while Long Island and Brookneal runs at least 11.5 mi; plan on a long day if you intend to float these latter stretches. A new landing is expected in late 2020 or early 2021 between Leesville Dam and Altavista.

The Staunton River represents the section of the Roanoke River from Leesville Lake to Clarksville, at the mouth of Kerr Reservoir (aka Buggs Island Lake). The Roanoke originates near Christiansburg in Montgomery County; below its journey as the Staunton, the river eventually flows into Albemarle Sound near Edenton NC, which opens into further south Pamlico Sound near Cape Hatteras.

Our fishing experience on the Staunton began in 1969. Angler's Lane owner Doug Lane first fished it as a boy in the Altavista area, and started fishing it frequently in 1989. Over these years he has learned about the river with local fishermen, most of whom have been extremely tight-lipped about it, until he got to know them better. We have other competent guides who have learned this river in the past decade or two as well. Each of our guides thinks he is the best out there.

Full Day Float Trip on Staunton River

Raft for 2-Person float $575 total daily

Raft for 1-Person $525 total daily

+ Included

Guide, private access on our properties, lunch, equipment use (fly rods & reels and waders if you need them).

+Not included

Va state fishing license, guide tip at client discretion, lost flies.