Thursday, May 21, 2009
State resumes Carvins Cove management role
Bill Cochran
Recent field reports
Following an absence of more than 15 years, the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has resumed its fishery management role at Carvins Cove, a 630-acre Roanoke City water supply impoundment.
Biologists were pleasantly surprised when a recent sampling turned up good numbers of largemouth bass, many in the 2- to 3-pound range. Other fish observed included bluegills, crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish, carp and gizzard shad.
Many of the bass had less girth for their length than normal, which could point to a scarcity of food, biologists told Mark Taylor, outdoor editor of The Roanoke Times.
An absence of young bass indicated the likelihood that the adult fish were preying on their own. At one time, the Cove was known as a place to catch a wall-hanging largemouth bass.
A variety of fish have been stocked in the scenic impoundment through the years, including trout, muskie, striped bass, smallmouth bass and walleye.
When concern over the possible introduction of zebra mussels caused Roanoke officials to limit who could fish the lake, the DGIF backed away from its management role, saying the lake had become private water.
Last July, the Western Virginia Water Authority lessened the restrictions, opening the way for the DGIF to manage the lake as a public fishery.
Biologists Bud LaRoche and Dan Wilson will make management recommendations. They could range from establishing a bass slot limit to increasing the forage fish, to stocking walleye.
DGIF CLOSURE SPARKS ANGER
When the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries closed its headquarters in Richmond Monday due to a power outage, Tom James didn’t like it one bit.
“It’s the week before Memorial Day weekend,” he told the department. “Many citizens are trying to comply with your rules and regulations to be legal on the water this weekend…but DGIF has no backup plan to keep doing business for a simple power outage on a very mild weather, beautiful, sunny day.”
James, who lives in Mechanicsville, suggested that the agency get generators or batteries to run its computers.
“No, the director closes the place down for the day,” he said.
OUTDOOR BRIEFS
VIRGINIA SALTWATER FISHING TOURNAMENT
The first dolphin of the season has been entered in the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament. Here are the standings:
MEETINGS/EVENTS/SEASONS
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 Street, Richmond.
Free fishing days June 5-7. A license is not required to fish freshwater or saltwater.
Triangle Bowhunters of Montgomery County 3D tournament June 7, check www.vfaa.org for details or contact Jim Overfelt, james.overfelt@vfaa.org.
Kids' 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.
Triangle Bowhunters of Montgomery County 3D tournament Aug. 16, check www.vfaa.org for details or contact Jim Overfelt, james.overfelt@vfaa.org.
Roanoke Valley Friends of NRA banquet, Aug. 29, Salem Civic Center. Address questions or ticket purchase to Al Milton, jamilton@cox.net.
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 www.vfaa.org for details or contact Jim Overfelt, james.overfelt@vfaa.org.
Got an event? Let us know: xtrails@earthlink.net.
Biologists were pleasantly surprised when a recent sampling turned up good numbers of largemouth bass, many in the 2- to 3-pound range. Other fish observed included bluegills, crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish, carp and gizzard shad.
Many of the bass had less girth for their length than normal, which could point to a scarcity of food, biologists told Mark Taylor, outdoor editor of The Roanoke Times.
An absence of young bass indicated the likelihood that the adult fish were preying on their own. At one time, the Cove was known as a place to catch a wall-hanging largemouth bass.
A variety of fish have been stocked in the scenic impoundment through the years, including trout, muskie, striped bass, smallmouth bass and walleye.
When concern over the possible introduction of zebra mussels caused Roanoke officials to limit who could fish the lake, the DGIF backed away from its management role, saying the lake had become private water.
Last July, the Western Virginia Water Authority lessened the restrictions, opening the way for the DGIF to manage the lake as a public fishery.
Biologists Bud LaRoche and Dan Wilson will make management recommendations. They could range from establishing a bass slot limit to increasing the forage fish, to stocking walleye.
BILL
DGIF CLOSURE SPARKS ANGER
When the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries closed its headquarters in Richmond Monday due to a power outage, Tom James didn’t like it one bit.
“It’s the week before Memorial Day weekend,” he told the department. “Many citizens are trying to comply with your rules and regulations to be legal on the water this weekend…but DGIF has no backup plan to keep doing business for a simple power outage on a very mild weather, beautiful, sunny day.”
James, who lives in Mechanicsville, suggested that the agency get generators or batteries to run its computers.
“No, the director closes the place down for the day,” he said.
BILL
OUTDOOR BRIEFS
- Commercial fishing interests are pushing hard to open the striped bass gill net season in January rather than February within the 3 mile limit of Virginia’s coastal water. This has recreational anglers concerned that the extra pressure will harm the striper population and the nets will pose a threat to boaters and anglers. January is the month that produces the most jumbo-size stripers for recreational anglers along the coast.
- June 5-7 are free fishing days in Virginia, meaning you can fish saltwater and freshwater without a license. The idea is to hook new anglers.
- An 84.5-pound black drum landed by Capt Bill Brown of Hampton won the 2009 Black Drum World Championship out of Bay Creek Marina in Cape Charles. Second was Matt Parks of Alexandria who weighed a 71.22-pound drum. The tournament attracted 53 teams and was shortened when Sunday fishing was called off due to rough weather.
- Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries officials have been receiving numerous reports of bear sightings from the Tidewater region to the Alleghany Mountains. Not to be alarmed, says the agency. April and May are major roaming months for the big animals which are establishing their range and eating heavily after their winter fast. What should you do if you see a bear? Give it space, says the DGIF.
- When Poesta & Associates, Inc. employees were spotted with buckets containing variegate darters from Levisa Fork in Buchanan County, the result was costly. The darter is an endangered species, which lead to a criminal charge against the company in Grundy that was settled with a $45,000 payment to the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries’ Nongame Fund.
- An effort to lift the ban on Sunday hunting in North Carolina failed, meaning supporters will have to wait a couple years before trying again.
BILL
VIRGINIA SALTWATER FISHING TOURNAMENT
The first dolphin of the season has been entered in the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament. Here are the standings:
- BLUELINE TILEFISH: 20 pounds, 4 ounces, David Akridge, Jr. Norfolk, caught at Norfolk Canyon.
- CROAKER: 3 pounds, 10 ounces, Philip Scott, Suffolk, Nansemond River.
- DOLPHIN: 39 pounds, Robert Manus, Ark, Triple Zero’s.
- 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
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 Street, Richmond.
Free fishing days June 5-7. A license is not required to fish freshwater or saltwater.
Triangle Bowhunters of Montgomery County 3D tournament June 7, check www.vfaa.org for details or contact Jim Overfelt, james.overfelt@vfaa.org.
Kids' 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.
Triangle Bowhunters of Montgomery County 3D tournament Aug. 16, check www.vfaa.org for details or contact Jim Overfelt, james.overfelt@vfaa.org.
Roanoke Valley Friends of NRA banquet, Aug. 29, Salem Civic Center. Address questions or ticket purchase to Al Milton, jamilton@cox.net.
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 www.vfaa.org for details or contact Jim Overfelt, james.overfelt@vfaa.org.
Got an event? Let us know: xtrails@earthlink.net.
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