i'm not exactly certain about the origins of the river's name, but i think it is native american. what i can tell you is, though pretty shallow and often wrongfully referred to as a creek, it's one of the most underrated fisheries in the Mountain State. It supports a good range of gamefish including spotted, smallmouth and rock bass, carp, flathead catfish, and of course the bluegill, sunfish, and prey animals these larger fish feed on. it's where i caught my first redeye and where i've fished ever since.