The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has added the Middle Fork of the Holston River to the list of waters to be stocked for Virginia's Trout Heritage Day on April 7. In recent coverage of Trout Heritage Day, I've noted that the program is experimental and that the list of waters to be stocked would probably be tweaked in future years. It didn't take that long. Town officials in Marion asked the department to include the river on the list. The area to be stocked is near the town's Riverbend Park.
Officials hope to stock a second area, and are working to gain permission from riverside landowners.
From what I gather, some folks with political clout were able to show game officials that stretch of river, which was once so trash-filled that it wasn't even considered for the Heritage Day list, was actually a nice piece of water. The town also benefitted from being near a state trout hatchery. Adding the river to the Heritage Day list didn't overburden the fleet of hatchery trucks, which the department says will be working at capacity to stock the 15 Heritage waters either the evening of April 6 or early the morning of April 7. Finally, I'm sure it didn't hurt that the Marion area is one where sentiment for opening day still runs strong. The late addition may prompt others to ask for their favorite stream to be added on this year's Heritage Day list.