Thursday, May 22, 2008
Striper fishing looking up at Smith Mountain Lake
Bill Cochran
Recent field reports
No one is saying that the good old days have returned, but striped bass fishing at Smith Mountain Lake is on the rebound. That is the word from Dan Wilson, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries biologist who manages the fishery.
“To date, things have improved dramatically,” Wilson said. “Growth rates are back to normal, at least for younger stripers, the shad base is back to normal and general fish health is better than five years ago.”
The 20,000 acre lake is scheduled to receive a stocking of 350,000 fingerlings the first week in June.
Recent years have been troublesome for this popular fishery, which once was ranked one of the top 10 landlocked striper hot spots in the nation for trophy catches. The fishery has suffered with a parasite problem and a major die-off of adult fish.
The unsightly parasites haven’t disappeared, but a healthier striped bass population is better able to cope with them, said Wilson.
It is too early to fully determine the impact of the striper slot limit on the lake, which has been in place more than one year, but “it looks so far like it has certainly helped keep some of the bigger fish around longer,” Wilson said.
BILL
VANDALS HIT IN WAKE OF BEACH RESTRICTIONS
Acts of vandalism have occurred at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore following restrictions on driving the beach. The vandalism involves signs being taken down and fencing designed to protect nesting birds being removed. Under the terms of a legal agreement, the restricted areas are expanded when vandalism occurs.
The big question: is the vandalism the work of disgruntled beach drivers or rogue environmentalists trying to advance their desire to close the entire seashore to beach vehicles? The seashore long has been a popular spot for surf casters aboard 4-wheel drives. Environmentalists say driving the beach is destructive to nesting birds and turtles.
The restrictions are the result of a suit brought against the National Park Service by Defenders of Wildlife and the National Audubon Society. The United Four Wheel Drive Association is offering a $1,000 reward leading to the arrest and conviction of the vandals.
BILL
YOUTH SKEET/SPORTING CLAYS CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULED
Youth in grades 12 and under from Alexandria, Amelia, Ashburn, Blackstone, Bracey, Brodnax, Burkeville, Chesapeake, Crewe, Drakes Branch, Edinburg, Emporia, Freeman, Kenbridge, Keysville, Manakin, Mechanicsville, Pamplin, Powhatan, Quinton, Richmond, Ruther Glen, Kipwith, South Hill, Spout Spring, Unionville, Virginia Beach and Woodford will compete in the Scholastic Clay Target Program Virginia Skeet and Sporting Clays State Championship May 24 and 25.
Teams will compete to represent Virginia in the national championship in July. The best of the shooters could be selected to attend an Olympic development camp in Colorado Springs, Col.
BILL
OUTDOOR BRIEFS
>>The House and Senate overwhelmingly passed the Farm Bill, but there is concern that it may not get the president’s signature. Congressmen who played a key roll in passage of the measure include Roanoker Bob Goodlatte, R-Va. The bill provides funding for wildlife conservation programs the next five years.
>>Joseph Harrison of Belle Haven reeled in the top fish, a 79.18-pounder, in the annual Black Drum World Championship headquartered at Bay Creek Marina in Cape Charles the past weekend. The contest attracted 66 boats, down slightly from last season’s initial-year count. The top fish last year weighed 81.13 pounds. Sponsors say the contest will continue next year.
>>Those Smith River brown trout already have the kind of super eyesight that allows them to spot a No. 22 dry fly yards away, but they may see even better in the future. The other day, guide Al Kittredge dropped his glasses in the river while chasing his wind-blown hat. Kittredge said he only can imagine what those browns will be able to do with his polarized, clip-on shades.
>>The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has mailed 75,000 postcards to anglers who have allowed their fishing license to lapse. A follow-up mailing will be done at the end of May.
>>Earl Groves, 78, has resigned as board member of the National Wild Turkey Federation. A long-time board member, Groves has been criticized recently for problems at the NWTF and for an article in the organization’s magazine lauding Groves for killing 500 gobblers, which some members thought was excessive. Michael Tull also resigned from the board, which has been dealing with the resignation of its long-time CEO, Rob Keck, and the firing of two top executives.
>>Dale Carnegie and Zig Ziglar move aside. Ray Scott, the founder of BASS, has launched yet another career. This time in sales, marketing and motivational speaking. No question, Scott is a super salesman, a man who helped turn weighing bass into a spectator sport. Scott has booked seminars from North Carolina to California.
>>Raf Viniard is hosting a new Web site, Delmarva Outdoor News, which covers hunting and fishing on the Eastern Shore: delmarvaoutdoornews.com.
>>BoatU.S. is offering a commercial fishing guide insurance policy which also covers fishing tournaments. Coverage is available for boats under 24 feet operating with up to three guests. Check BoatUSAngler.com/insurance.
BILL
SALTWATER FISHING TOURNAMENT
The first black drum and croaker of the season have shown up on the leader board of the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament. Here are the standings:
BLACK DRUM: 86 pounds, 6 ounces, Christian Seay, Cheriton, Buoy C-13 of Chesapeake Bay.
BLUEFISH: 19 pounds, 4 ounces, Richard Brown, Richmond, off Virginia Beach.
BLUEFIN TILEFISH: 18 pounds, 4 ounces, Russell Willoughby, Norfolk, Norfolk Canyon.
CROAKER: 3 pounds, 5 ounces, David Richards, Williamsburg, lower York River.
FLOUNDER: 10 pounds, 8 ounces, Thomas Horsley, Gloucester, off Cape Charles.
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: 20 pounds, 6 ounces, Michael Shreve, Glen Burnie, Md., Monroe Wreck. .
MEETINGS/EVENTS/SEASONS
Third annual Oregon Inlet (N.C.) Tuna Roundup, May 29-31, sponsored by Pirate’s Cove, $88,000 payout. Information from pcbgt.com.
Smith River Trout Unlimited fishing and cookout, May 31, meet 8:30 a.m. at Mirror Factor for fishing and 3:30 p.m. at the foot of Philpott Dam for cookout. Members will act as guides for newcomers. Public welcome. Check smithrivertu.com for more details.
3D archery shoot and fun day sponsored by Hunters for the Hungry and Quality Deer Management Association (Heart of Virginia Branch) June 1, at Wild Turkey Ridge Archery Range, Bedford, to register or for information contact Gary Arrington, 434-665-7658.
June 6-8 are free fishing days in Virginia, when a license will not be required to fish fresh or saltwater, with the exception of designated streams and impoundments stocked for put-and-take trout fishing.
Virginia’s June squirrel hunting season, June 7-12, on select wildlife management areas.
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.
Triangle Archers 3D tournament, June 22, Blacksburg, fee $12 or $25 per family, information from James Overfelt.
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.
Triangle Archer’s 3D tournament, Aug. 17, Blacksburg, fee $12 or $25 per family, information from Triangle Archers 3D tournament, June 22, Blacksburg, fee $12 or $25 per family, information from James Overfelt.
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.
Triangle Archer’s 3D tournament, Sept 14, Blacksburg, fee $12 or $25 per family, information from James Overfelt.
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 Road, Harrisonburg, Va. 22801, 540-434-8028. Additional information from vpsa.org.
Fall Optimist Club of Cave Springs Fishing Tournament, Oct. 3-5, Smith Mountain Lake.
Saltwater striped bass tournament opens Oct. 4.
Roanoke Valley Friends of NRA banquet, Oct. 18.
Got an event? Let us know: xtrails@earthlink.net.
