West Virginia University Daily Athenaeum
28 September 2005
By Christian Alexandersen Senior Staff Writer christian.alexandersen@mail.wvu.edu
Even though partying and clubbing have become campus pastimes, many feel that West Virginia nature has more to offer students.
Ella Belling, executive director of the Mon River Trails Conservatory, said there are many places in and around Morgantown that give everyone an opportunity to experience nature.
The Rail Trail, Belling said, is an eight-mile paved stretch along the Monongahela River that gives students a chance to run, bike and Rollerblade during the warmer months.
"(The Rail Trail) is a great way to see different places in Morgantown or different regions outside of the city," Belling said. She added that during the winter months, many people cross-country ski through Preston County.
According to Belling, the Rail Trail is accessible by getting off the Walnut PRT and walking down toward the river. Once by the river, Belling recommended renting a canoe and paddling down the scenic river.
Though canoe rental is scarce in Morgantown, Belling noted that the Student Recreation Center offers rentals that include a life preserver and paddles for only $15 a day.
On the weekend, said Don Strimbeck of the Upper Monongahela River Association, students can stroll down through the river's locks. The locks (canals) in Morgantown are only open for a few hours on the weekend; Point Marion docks in Pennsylvania are much better for a day trip, Strimbeck said.
"We like to take 70- or 80-mile daylong trips into Pennsylvania and dock there for a couple of hours," Strimbeck said. "There are several riverside restaurants where you can dock and have a great dinner."
Though his organization has been trying to expand the three locks' hours on the Monongahela River, Strimbeck said the waterways that are open 24 hours a day are on the West Virginia/Pennsylvania border.
If canoeing sounds like fun, Strimbeck said the best places to dock the canoe or vessel are along the Rail Trail at the bottom of Walnut Street. After a relaxing view of the nature surrounding West Virginia University, fishing and hunting are also options for students, said Frank Jernejcic with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.
Jernejcic, the district's fishery biologist, noted that the fishing in Morgantown can fit anyone's experience level.
"There's a lot of opportunities around Morgantown. (The surrounding area) satisfies those who never fished before, to those who can fish but don't know where to go," Jernejcic said. "If students go hiking or biking, their options open up even more for different fishing spots."
Understanding that not every student owns a boat, most of the fishing sites available operate from the shores. According to Jernejcic, Cheat Lake, Exit 10 off of I-68, is a great fishing spot for channel catfish, large-mouth bass and yellow perch.
According to Jernejcic, Coopers Rock, also off of I-68, regularly stocks their trout pond during the spring between January and May. For those students restrained by a lack of transportation, Jernejcic said fishing along the Monongahela is great too.
"(The Monongahela River) has a very high success rate. Fishing right below the dam gives fishermen a chance to catch catfish, walleyes, and white bass," Jernejcic said. "What is important is to learn how to fish, but the most important thing is to catch something, because you'll like it a lot more then."
Since most canoe, bike and fishing pole rentals cost less than $20, Jernejcic said, for anyone on a budget, many outdoor activities are affordable.
"Students have the Rail Trail and river running right by the campus. Everyone has the chance to experience nature," Jernejcic said.
For more information on fishing or hunting in and around Morgantown, log on to www.wvdnr.gov or call 825-6787 and speak to Frank Jernejcic.