If you’re heading from Charleston towards Beckley on the Turnpike, you’re just about forty-five minutes from a beautiful trout stream and nice lake. The trout stream is called Paint Creek and the catch and release area can be accessed from the Mossy exit, just before Pax. The lake is Plum Orchard and you can get there via the same exit.

Paint Creek, named for ancient trees once painted blood-red by Native American warriors, is really pretty and the catch and release section is a couple miles, so if you get there in the early part of the season, you can usually do pretty well.

Plum Orchard is a 202-acre lake that’s beloved by shore fisherman, kayakers and large boat enthusiasts. With hiking trails, picnic areas, a gun range and campsites, there’s plenty to keep your crew busy all day.

We didn’t have any luck fishing on this trip, but we did have fun and enjoyed being outside!