Thursday, May 14, 2009
Anglers happy over trout relocation
Bill Cochran
Recent field reports
When Shenandoah National Park officials began a program of purging brown trout from native brook trout streams, many anglers were upset over the fact that the browns were being destroyed.
The program no longer is just trap and remove. It is trap, remove and relocate. Nearly 500 wild brows of various sizes have been taken from park stream and released in water more suitable for brown trout. Many have gone to Mossy Creek, the state’s popular fly-fishing stream in Augusta County, where there is a 20 inch minimum size limit and one fish per day catch limit.
Other streams targeted for browns are Happy Creek in Warren County and Buffalo Creek in Rockbridge County. Many of the fish are coming from Rose River.
“The browns we moved to Mossy were not marked in any way, but they were all stocked at one location,” said Paul Bugas, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries biologist. “I heard from a few anglers about some beautiful brown trout being caught in that area, so I am assuming they were park fish.”
Anglers report that the park browns have a wild trout look -- unscarred, fully developed tail and fins and brilliant coloring.
DGIF and Trout Unlimited have been working with park officials on this project.
BILL
DAVID WHITEHURST GETS NEW ASSIGNMENT
David Whitehurst, a veteran Department of Game and Inland Fisheries employee who has headed both the fish and the wildlife diversity divisions of the agency, has been named chief of a new division called Bureau of Wildlife Resources. That division combines the fisheries, wildlife and wildlife diversity division into a single bureau.
The new bureau is designed to meet the challenges associated with human and wildlife population changes, urbanization, global warming and other issues, said Bob Duncan, executive director of the DGIF.
Whitehurst began his career with the department as a fisheries biologist headquartered in the Roanoke area. His assignment included supervision of the highly successful striped bass program in Smith Mountain Lake.
Later he moved to Richmond to head the fish division and after that became chief of the wildlife diversity division where he was in charge of developing the state’s birding and wildlife watching trail, the first such venture in the U.S. to cover an entire state. He also spent time as deputy director for operations of DGIF.
BILL
BEATING A DRUM WITH A KAYAK
The next time you are casting from a beamy sport fishing boat and seen a kayak struggling in the breakers, don’t felt sorry for the occupant.
Kayaks may appear fragile, but they can reach water that bigger boats can’t and catch jumbo fish while doing it.
Red drum currently are being caught by kayak anglers among the breakers and sloughs near Smith and Fisherman’s Islands on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Often the kayaks are working places that larger boats can’t approach.
John Fauci of Norfolk caught and released a 58-inch red from his Kayak while fishing Fisherman’s Island.
BILL
OUTDOOR BRIEFS
- The Roanoke Rifle and Revolver Club is celebrating its 75th year. The club has facilities in Franklin County where a number of rifle, handgun and shotgun ranges attract some of the top shooters in the region.
- After more than 100 years of limited hunting on Sunday, New Jersey has approved legislation to allow bowhunting on Sundays.
- West Virginia is stocking catchable-size channel catfish in 22 lakes. These hatchery-raised fish weigh from three-quarters to 2 pounds apiece and are being released to enhance family fishing opportunities.
- Wild elk populations in 23 states are higher now than 25 years ago, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is claming part of the credit for that. It was 25 years ago the organization was founded. Elk numbers nationally grew 44 percent, from about 715,000 to 1,031,000, between 1984 and 2009. “Growth in elk populations is one measure of our success,” said David Allen, foundation CEO.
- Chesapeake Bay charter boat skipper Capt Ferrell McLain is “going green” by using biodiesel fuel in his sportfishing boat, the J-MAR. “The product being used is made in Virginia from soybeans,” he said. “If you smell the engine exhaust, you may detect a faint order of French fries or popcorn.” Let’s hope striped bass like French fries and popcorn.
- Cabela’s King Kat Tournament trail has scheduled a June 13 stop at the Monongahela River in Morgantown, W.Va. The catfish contest offers angers a chance to compete for cash and prizes, including a guaranteed $5,000 for the top 15 percent of the field. Check KingKatUSA.com.
BILL
VIRGINIA SALTWATER FISHING TOURNAMENT
Here are the standings of the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament:
BLUELINE TILEFISH: 20 pounds, 4 ounces, David Akridge, Jr. Norfolk, caught at Norfolk Canyon.
CROAKER: 3 pounds, 10 ounces, Philip Scott, Suffolk, Nansemond River.
FLOUNDER: 10 pounds, 9 ounce, James Breen, Newport News, Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.
GRAY TRIGGERFISH: 4 pounds, 4 ounces, Julie Ball, Virginia Beach, wreck off Virginia Beach.
SEA BASS: 8 pounds, 4 ounces, Rob Collins, Norfolk, wreck off Virginia Beach.
SPECKLED TROUT: 13 pounds, 14 ounces, Michael Whittaker, Chesapeake, Elizabeth River.
SPOT: 1 pound, 2 ounces, Chris Brooks, Virginia Beach, Elizabeth River.
STRIPED BASS: 66 pounds, 8 ounces, Pete Johnson, Hampton, Smith Island.
TAUTOG: 21 pounds, 13 ounces, Skip Feller, Virginia Beach, wreck off Virginia Beach.
TUNA (BLUEFIN): 119 pounds, Ryan Masters, Ellicott City, Md., Cigar.
MEETINGS/EVENTS/SEASONS
Black Drum World Championship fishing tournament, May 15-17, Bay Creek Marina, Cape Charles, information and registration.
Triangle Bowhunters of Montgomery County 3D tournament May 17, check vfaa.org for details or contact Jim Overfelt.
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.
Triangle Bowhunters of Montgomery County 3D tournament June 17, check vfaa.org for details or contact Jim Overfelt.
Kid’s fishing tournament, Smith Mountain Lake State Park, youth up to age 14, bait supplied, pre-register 8 to 8:45 a.m., tournament 9 to noon, dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/smi.shtml.
Triangle Bowhunters of Montgomery County 3D tournament Aug. 16, check vfaa.org for for details or contact Jim Overfelt.
Roanoke Valley Friends of NRA banquet, Aug. 29, Salem Civic Center. Address questions or ticket purchase to Mike Kessler or Al Milton.
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.
Triangle Bowhunters of Montgomery County 3D tournament Sept. 13, check vfaa.org for details or contact Jim Overfelt.
Got an event? Let us know: xtrails@earthlink.net.
