Thursday, April 02, 2009
Flounder fishing turns on
Bill Cochran
Recent field reports
Flounder are providing action for saltwater anglers along Virginia’s Eastern Shore and at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. The first catches of the year showed up at Wachapreague where Bill Baker reported landing a limit of fish up to 6 pounds in Drawing Channel. Other Wachapreague anglers enjoyed success at Hummock and Green Channel.
To the south, Quinby and Oyster also are producing fish along the seaside of Eastern Shore. Most Shore anglers appear to be using bottom rigs baited with minnow/squid combinations.
Catches of flounder up to 23-inches also are coming from several areas around the lower Chesapeake Bay, according to Julie Ball. One hot spot is the 8-mile marker of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, she said. Keepers also are being caught from the Third and Fourth Islands of the bridge-tunnel. Anglers there have been drifting squid or strip bait.
Action for puppy drum has been good at Rudee Inlet where anglers report catching double-digit numbers of fish on slowly retrieve grubs.
Togs are being caught along the Chesapeake Bridge-Tunnel and at the Concrete Ships off Kiptopeke.
BILL
SUPPORT IS LIGHT FOR WOODCOCK STAMP
The federal waterfowl stamp has been a major source of funding for ducks and geese habitat. Why not establish a similar stamp for another migratory bird, the woodcock?
That idea didn’t fly high among participants in a recent survey by the National Ruffed Grouse Society.
Forty-eight percent of the more than 2,000 survey participants opposed the concept of a $15 stamp while 38 percent supported it and 14 percent were unsure.
Forty percent of the survey participants said they probably would give up woodcock hunting it they had to pay an additional $15 for a stamp.
BILL
YOUNGSTERS PLANT TREES FOR WILDLIFE
The Appalachian Highlands Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society has signed on as a co-sponsor of an April 3 “Trees for Wildlife” Arbor Day Celebration at Elkhorn’s Bear Wallow Surface Mine in Clintwood.
More than 300 middle school students are expected to take part in this effort to reforest mined land for wildlife habitat and improved water quality. They will receive chestnut, oak, poplar, walnut, maple and ash seedlings to plant, along with backpacks and tree identification books.
The program was initiated by the Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative. Other sponsors include the Virginia Department of Forestry, the American Chestnut Foundation, The Nature Conservancy and Take Pride in America.
BILL
OUTDOOR BRIEFS
- The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has checked nearly 4,500 deer for chronic wasting disease and none has tested positive. Good news, but that doesn’t mean the agency is letting its guard down. In fact, this week the DGIF asked citizens to report any sick or diseased deer they see to its nearest office.
- Douglas Dear reports excellent trout fishing on the stretch of the Rose River in Madison County where he operates a pay fly fishing program. Some anglers are reporting that they are hooking up with 20 or more trout per outing, often on nymphs and dry flies. Fishing slots on the stream are going fast. roseriverfarm.com.
- The NRA isn’t happy with Gov. Tim Kaine, saying his veto of “numerous pro-gun bills” is “his attempt to appease his liberal, anti-gun colleagues as the new chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
- U.S. Representative Jim Moran, D-Va., has made the Humane Society of the United States happy over his leadership in a new Congressional Animal Protection Caucus which will promote animal rights policies. Moran is co-chair of the caucus with Elton Gallegly, R-Calif. The HSUS is a major anti-hunting force. Moran’s biography states that he get a near perfect rating “from organizations committed to animal protection, gun control and human rights.”
- After being dormant for way too long, the Hunters for the Hungry Web site has been updated. The organization’s annual banquet in the Roanoke area has been set for Sept 12 at the Roanoke Moose Lodge #284. 3233 Catawba Valley Drive.
- Mary Croff of Bedford finished 16th in the Women’s Bassmaster tournament in Gadsden, Ala. with a 15 fish catch that weighed 23 pounds, 8 ounces. Winner Pam Martin-Wells of Bainbridge posted a 38-pound 10-ounce take.
BILL
MEETINGS/EVENTS/SEASONS
Roanoke Valley chapter National Wild Turkey Federation banquet, April 2, Corned Beef & Co., $55 single, $80 couple, ticket info from Crystal Hockenbery, 366-9700.
Smith Mountain Striper Club meeting, April 3, 7 p.m. Moneta Community Center program on night fishing by Marshall Harris.
Tidewater Boat Show, April 3-5, Hampton.
Youth spring turkey hunting day, April 4, 2009.
Smith Mountain Striper Club Spring Striper Tournament, April 4, 5 a.m.-4 p.m., weigh-in at Captain’s Quarters, tournament chairman is Frank Skillman, 540-721-1220.
2009 spring gobbler season, April 11-May 16.
Smith Mountain Lake Striper Fest team tournament, April 11, $100 entry fee for teams of up to six anglers, $25 optional big fish bonus, sponsored by Glenda McDaniel of Long and Foster Real Estate, tournament director Angie Behan, $1,000 first place prize, headquarters Captain’s Quarters, information from smlstriperfest@yahoo.com.
Ninth Virginia Fly Fishing Festival, April 18 and 19, on the banks of the South River in Waynesboro, $15.
Bassmaster Blue Ridge Brawl, Smith Mountain Lake, April 23-26, Parkway Marina, Huddleston.
Smith Mountain Striper Club annual lake report meeting, May 1, 7 p.m., Moneta Community Center, program by Department of Game and Inland Fisheries biologist Dan Wilson.
Cave Spring Optimist Club fishing tournament on Smith Mountain Lake, May 1-3, $15,000 offered in categories for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass, crappie, muskie and catfish, Tickets -- $40 plus 50-cents shipping -- from the Optimist Club of Cave Spring, P.O. Box 1276, Salem, Va. 24153. Outlets in lake area are contest headquarters Foxport Marina, Crazy Horse Marina, Virginia Outdoorsman, Captain’s Quarters and Franklin Outdoors. In Roanoke, they can be purchased at Metro Heavy Duty Distributors, 913 McDowell Ave. (next to the Regional Trash Transfer Station).
Fifth annual Bill Cochran Youth Fishing Tournament, May 2, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in conjunction with the Cave Spring Optimist Club tournament (see item above). Open to youngsters 12 and under, no entry fee as long as contestants are accompanied by an adult entered in the Optimist tournament. Competition for the largest carp and sunfish. Prizes will include saving bonds.
Joe Malat’s Outer Banks Surf Fishing School, May 7-10, Comfort Inn South in Nags Head N.C.,
North Carolina State University Sport Fishing School, May 31-June 4, Hatteras, N.C., $1,445, limited to 45 participants.
Smith Mountain Striper Club meeting, June 1, Moneta Community Center, program on wildlife artistry by taxidermist Dale Carson.
Board meeting of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to finalize hunting/trapping regulations, 9 a.m., June 2, DGIF headquarters, 4000 West Broad St., Richmond.
Hunters for the Hungry banquet, Sept. 12, 5:30 p.m., Roanoke Moose Lodge #284, 3233 Catawba Valley Drive, Roanoke County, $20 single, $35 couple, children under 12 free, tickets from Dave Sarmadi Mitsubishi, Jeff Fletcher, 540-985-6523 or Fred and Phyllis Wells, 540-992-3874.
Got an event? Let us know: xtrails@earthlink.net.
