Thursday, May 01, 2008
Better enforcement on Smith River
Bill Cochran
Recent field reports
The special-regulation section of the Smith River in the Bassett area is receiving more intensive law enforcement, according to fishing guide Al Kittredge. Poaching has been an ongoing problem in a 3-mile section of the stream devoted to catch-and-release.
“Capt. Ron Henry sent me some Special Regulation signs which I posted and has promised more efforts from Conservation Police Officers when resources are available,” Kittredge said. Henry heads law enforcement efforts in the region for the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
The next graduating class of Conservation Police Officers is expected to provide several new officers in the Franklin and Henry County area.
Officers recently have ticketed several fishermen who were using bait in the Special Regulations Section were artificial lures and a restrictive catch is enforced, Kittedge said. Anglers are reporting seeing an increased presence of enforcement officers.
“Things are looking up,” he said.
BILL
HATS’ OFF TO LEON TURNER
Leon Turner could have called it quits. After all, he had served as board member of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries from 1985-1993. Two of those years he was chairman.
Well before that, he and six other Norfolk and Western Railway employees organized the N&W Rod & Gun Club. It became one of the largest outdoor organizations in the state.
Turner was a good friend of the late Del. Vic Thomas of Roanoke and assisted him in many projects and legislative endeavors that earned Thomas the title “Friend of the Outdoorsman.”
If there is work to be done, Turner, who lives in the Fincastle area, always has been there to help accomplish it, including a four-year term on the Virginia Wildlife Foundation and two terms as president of the Tri-Country Forestry and Wildlife Club.
Some of his most noteworthy efforts have occurred the past couple of years when he has been a watchdog of the troubled DGIF, frequently exposing its shortcomings.
Turner got some of the recognition he merits when the Botetourt Longbeards National Wild Turkey Federation Chapter honored him with its Lifetime Achievement Award during the club’s banquet last weekend.
In making the presentation, Richard Pauley, club vice president, said, “Perhaps his greatest contributions have come in recent years when he became both activist and advocate to bring the DGIF both to accountability and credibility for all Virginians.”
BILL
GREEN TOP OWNER DEAD AT 58
For many anglers and hunters, a trip to Richmond wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Green Top Sporting Goods. Although not as massive as a Bass Pro Shop, Green Top gives you the feel of a megastore, and most likely you will find what you are looking for, no matter how obscure.
Charles Thalhimer Jr., owner and president of Green Top, died this week following a brief illness. He was 58.
Thalhimer always placed emphasis on the wellbeing of his customers, and it showed. The last time I was in the store I asked two different clerks where certain items were and in both instances they didn’t just point a finger, but took me directly to where I needed to be. And both could answer every one of my detailed questions.
Thalhimer was an active and serious angler, and worked closely with the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries as well as other organizations.
BILL
OUTDOOR BRIEFS
>>The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has spent four years and $2 million dollars restoring Powhatan Lakes, two public impoundments near Powhatan that total 66 acres of fishing water. The dams and lakes were damaged during heavy rains that occurred June 2004. A small population of young fish in the lakes are being supplement with stocking. Catch-and-released will be enforced.
>>Virginia’s trophy saltwater striped bass season requires that fish caught must be register with the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. That task will be quicker, easier and cheaper this season since catches can be registered via VMRC’s Web site. The trophy season begins May 1.
>>This is the time of year that bears follow their stomach in search of food, and that sometimes get them into trouble with humans. The DGIF provides tips on “Living With Bears in Virginia” via a video with that title that can be found at dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/bear/.
>A report in the Charleston (W.Va) Daily Mail indicated that the number of hunting and fishing license sales in West Virginia has dropped 26 percent since 1977. This has left the state’s Division of Natural Resources with $1.5 million less in revenue for wildlife programs.
>>Kevin Whitley, better know in fishing circles as Kayak Kevin, caught and released a 48-inch red drum while fishing the barrier islands of Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
>>The 73-pound state record striped bass caught by Frederick Barnes of Chesapeake at 4A Buoy near Virginia Beach last January was a 22-year-old female. A record 8-pound, 11-ounce male croaker caught by Norman Jenkins last July was 8 years old, according to Virginia Marine Resources Commission officials.
>>The U.S. House of Representatives made a huge step in protecting this country from aquatic invaders by passing legislation that is designed to ensure no living species will be discharged from ballast water tanks of ocean-going vessels. Ships bound to the United States will be required to install treatment equipment to meet standards that are 100 times more stringent than currently enforced. A number of harmful, invasive species, including zebra mussels, have been introduced into U.S. waters by riding the ballast water of ships.
>>Turkey populations have soared while quail populations have declined, leading some people to question if turkeys are doing something to harm quail--like eating their eggs and chicks. That’s not the case, says the National Wild Turkey Federation. It is a matter of habitat. Habitat that benefits quail has declined while habitat that benefits turkeys has remained constant.
BILL
SALTWATER FISHING TOURNAMENT
The standings for the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament:
BLUEFISH: 19 pounds, 4 ounces, Richard Brown, Richmond, off Virginia Beach.
BLUEFIN TILEFISH: 18 pounds, 3 ounces, Stanley Gold, Chesapeake, off Virginia Beach.
FLOUNDER: 7 pounds, 15 ounces, Jacob Schmidt, Denton, Md., Bradford Bay.
SEA BASS: 7 pounds, 8 ounces, Reggie Myrick, Portsmouth, off Virginia Beach.
SPECKLED TROUT: 9 pounds, 15 ounces, David Hester, Chesapeake, Elizabeth River.
STRIPED BASS: 73 pounds, state record, Frederick Barnes, Chesapeake, off Virginia Beach.
TAUTOG: 17 pounds, 10 ounces, John Alfino, Flushing, N.Y., ocean off Eastern Shore.
MEETINGS/EVENTS/SEASONS
The Optimist Club of Cave Spring 40th annual Smith Mountain Lake Fishing Tournament, May 2-4, $40 for tickets, $15,000 in prizes offered, includes fourth annual Bill Cochran Youth Tournament, Saturday, May 3, kids when 12 and under fish free with paying adult, tickets available at businesses around the lake or in nearby towns, money benefits the club’s youth programs, information from Ike Harris, 540-989-8488.
Smith Mountain Striper Club meeting, 7 p.m. May 2, Moneta Community Center, annual lake report by Dan Wilson, biologist of Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
Seventh Annual David H. Horne Memorial Hunters for the Hungry Golf Tournament, May 7, Birkdale Golf Course, Richmond, contact Braxton Bell, 804-739-3010.
Third annual Oregon Inlet (N.C.) Tuna Roundup, May 29-31, sponsored by Pirate’s Cove, $88,000 payout. Information from pcbgt.com.
3D archery shoot and fun day sponsored by Hunters for the Hungry and Quality Deer Management Association (Heart of Virginia Branch) June 1, a.m. to 6 p.m., at Wild Turkey Ridge Archery Range, Bedford, to register or for information contact Gary Arrington, 434-665-7658.
Twenty-fifth annual Bluefish Derby, June 13 & 14, Reedville, information from Jett’s Hardware, 804-453-5325.
Hunters for the Hungry 5th annual sporting clays benefit shoot at Edmund Farms in Halifax, June 21-22, information form Clarence Morris, 434-572-6986, ext. 268 or 434-575-5493.
Shenandoah River Rodeo, July 19, Bentonville’s Low Water Bridge Campground, $40, to benefit Shenandoah Riverkeepers, pig roast, bluegrass, fishing, canoeing, camping information from Shenandoah Riverkeepers, P.O. Box 405, Boyce, Va. 22620.
Eastern Regional Big Game Championship, Sept. 13 and 14, Southampton County Fairgrounds, Franklin, sponsored by the Virginia Peninsula Sportsmen’s Association, more information from Kenneth Pickin, P.O. Box 1860, Williamsburg, Va. 23187-1860; 757-229-0490. This is the contest for deer, bear and turkey killed east of the Blue Ridge. Additional information from vpsa.org.
Third annual WSLS 10 Hunters for the Hungry banquet, 6 p.m. Sept. 27, Dave Sarmadi Mitsubishi, Salem, tickets $20 singles; $35 couples, kids 12 and under free, to benefit the organization’s feed-the-needy program, tickets from Jeff Fletcher, 540-985-6523 or Fred and Phyllis Wells, 540-992-3874 or may be purchased at Dave Sarmadi Mitsubishi, additional information from hunt4hungry@cs.com.
Western Regional and State Big Game Championship, for deer, bear and turkey killed west of the Blue Ridge or advanced from the Eastern Championship, Sept. 27 & 28, Rockingham County Fairgrounds, Harrisonburg, more information from Jon Ritenour, 2041 Spaders Church Rd., Harrisonburg, VA 22801, 540-434-8028. Additional information from vpsa.org.
Roanoke Valley Friends of NRA banquet, Oct. 18.
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