Diet and management
Throughout the year we hatch and grow out Rainbow, Brooke, Brown, and Golden trout. All of our trout are grown and raised in the fresh mountain spring water that comes out of the rock only meters away from the hatchery building. The fragile eggs are intensely monitored and cared for in the hatchery building for the most quality protection while also receiving sunlight through various windows. The fish are grown out to able size and then transferred to one of the various ponds on the property. Because the ecosystem of the stream is extremely healthy, there are a lot of naturally occurring bugs and vertebrates that grow in the water that the fish feed on. The raceways, ponds, and fish are never treated with chemicals or antibiotics. The ponds have full sun and have spring water flowing through them constantly. In addition to bug food that naturally occurs in the ponds and water we feed our fish the best quality feed we have been able to find thus far. This feed is 65% protein and fat from ocean-based fish products. There is a 4% grain fiber included, which is the lowest grain fiber feed we have been able to source. The last 30% is plant products and trace minerals to ensure a balanced nutrient make-up. As the fish grow they are transferred to larger ponds and ready for harvest!
Virginia trout
For most Virginians, when desiring to have trout to eat, it is either a question of if you want to spend your day attempting to catch one and eat if off the river, or of settling for a farmed trout grown inside and shipped from out of state or country, usually bought at the grocery store. At Smoke in Chimneys we can provide the quality taste of a fish freshly caught and the unique experience of eating trout straight from clean and healthy Virginia waters. We are happy to provide you with all the flavor and health of properly grown fish, locally sourced, at an affordably price!
fly fishing
The property holds 7 ponds of various sizes and make-ups. The smaller ponds are a great place to learn and practice casting with the space clear of brush or trees. However, the larger ponds are surrounded by a greater density of brush with a few trees, these are perfect for practicing and learning different techniques for fishing on more challenging and realistic streams. The fish, although eager to bite, are still challenge to real in!
our story
Fly fishing is a lifelong love for us here at Smoke In Chimneys, so of course, we are drawn to trout! When the opportunity came up to live at and manage a small private trout hatchery, we were all ears. This little hatchery, that used to be owned and operated by Virginia state, was first created in the 1930’s to grow trout. The cold mountain spring water that comes straight out of the rock feeds into one of the healthiest and nutrient dense streams in the state, according to one of the wildlife biology professors at Hollins College. The density of life in the stream indicates cleanliness and health of the water and ecosystem. The Hatchery consists of 7 working ponds, 5 raceways, and a hatchery building with two smaller raceways to grow and hatch trout eggs. It is nestled in the Jefferson and Washington National Forests right off of route 42. This windy bypass is a beautiful little hub for real food and traditional practices in farming and land management. New Castle is close to a few Appalachian Trail access points and is a cross point between Salem, Blacksburg, and Roanoke. The mountain crisp air and rugged terrain are full of activity and life, home to bears, coyotes, beavers, otters, mink, bobcats, foxes, and more. The wildlife is important to us, and so partnering in a sustainable way is a necessity. Our community here is just as vibrant, and what can we say, we all love fish!