Thursday, September 22, 2011
Bill Cochran's Field Reports: North Carolina looking at saltwater legislation
Bill Cochran is a Roanoke Times outdoors columnist.
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Correction (Oct. 28, 2011: 1:35 p.m.): The North Carolina Legislative Marine Study Committee was appointed by the state legislature, not the Coastal Conservation Association of North Carolina as originally reported. This report has been corrected. | Our corrections policy
A North Carolina legislative research committee is scheduled to hold four public meetings beginning in November to consider a number of wide-ranging saltwater fisheries issues that could lead to bills in the 2012 Virginia General Assembly. Input is expected from the Coastal Conservation Association of North Carolina and other groups.
Discussions are likely to address the possible elimination of the trawl-boat fishery in the state. Overloaded nets last winter lead to the destruction of thousands of striped bass. Recreational anglers said the Marine Fisheries Commission displayed an inability to address the waste.
Also expected to be considered is the designation of red drum, spotted sea trout and striped bass as coastal game fish, which could make them off limits to commercial fishing.
Still other anticipated issues include how to appoint better qualified individuals to the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission, and whether a hook-and-line commercial fishery should be developed.
BEAR OUTNUMBER QUAIL
Jerry Fraley is rightfully proud of the 10,000-acre Bar-Jer Wildlife Management Area that he and his family and friends have put together in mountainous Botetourt County. He calls it “a non-fee, invitation-only hunting and recreation paradise.”
The Tri-County Forestry and Wildlife Association recently spent a Saturday looking the place over. Fraley showed the group from Botetourt, Craig and Roanoke counties the iron ore furnace; the high-altitude observation tower where he would like to build a wind farm; the forestry practices designed to release mast for wildlife; the deer hunting cabin that looks like something out of the pages of Field & Stream and the 600 acres of fields, many planted with warm-season grasses for quail.
“We saw our first quail this spring that we’ve seen in 10 years,” Fraley said.
Like most places in the western half of Virginia, nowadays you are more likely to see a bear than a quail. Fraley is attempting to bring back this gallant bird, but it is a challenging assignment.
Another species in decline is the hemlock tree, a beautiful conifer with long, sweeping branches that provide shade for mountain streams. Fraley is using dying hemlocks to build a log house as a means of remembering them.
OUTDOOR BRIEFS:
>B.A.S.S. is returning to Smith Mountain Lake, but under a different format. It will host a B.A.S.S. Mercury College Tour tournament April 13 and 14. The mid-April date should assure plenty of action from bass for college teams from across the country.
>Like to see changes in the fishing, boating or non-game regulations? The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries are soliciting comments from the public through Nov. 30. Check the agency’s website:dgif.virginia.gov.
>Biologist Andrew Rosenberger is scheduled to present a program on quail restoration and the Virginia Quail Plan at the Oct 10 meeting of the Tri-County Forestry and Wildlife Association. The meeting site is the Moose Lodge on Virginia 311 at the foot of Catawba Mountain in Roanoke County. The event begins with a 6 p.m. social hour followed by dinner at 6:45 p.m. and Rosenberger’s presentation at 7:30 p.m. The meal is $10. Call Rob Guiles to RSVP, 540-384-6787.
>The economy has been tough on boating and on outdoor magazines. Trailer Boats Magazine will discontinue publication effective with the June issue. The magazine was popular with small-boat owners.
>Michigan wildlife officials say a 49-year-old hunter fatally shot a 220-pound black bear after it attacked him while he was perched in a tree stand in the Upper Peninsula.
VIRGINIA SALTWATER FISHING TOURNAMENT
The Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament finally has a pompano on its leader board for the first time this year. Winter Cullen III of Painter filled the vacancy with a 1-pound, 8-ounce catch from Hog Island. There also is a new Spanish mackerel on the leader board, a 6-pound, 9-ounce catch by Ross Christiansen of Kilmarnock who was fishing the Tangier Lumps. Here are the standings for citations that were weighed:
BLACK DRUM: 85 pounds, 12 ounces, Saprina Esham, Bridgeville, Del., caught at Quincy Inlet.
BLUELINE TILEFISH: 19 pounds, 8 ounces, Tony Levinson, Poquoson, Norfolk Canyon
COBIA: 101 pounds, Aubrey Williams, Chesapeake, Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
CROAKER: 3 pounds, 9 ounces, Jake Didra, Lusby, Md. Rappahannock River
DOLPHIN: 53 pounds, C.W. McCaskill, Jr., Vienna, off Wachapreague.
FLOUNDER: 13 pounds, Mike Firestone, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.
GRAY TRIGGERFISH: 4 pounds, 9 ounces, David Yost, Norfolk, Seagull Pier on Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
KING MACKEREL: 45 pounds, 8 ounce, Jarrod Sergi, Virginia Beach, 26 Mile Hill
KINGFISH: 2 pounds, Lori Bowen, Chesapeake, off Sandbridge
SEA BASS: 7 pounds, Gerald Walker, Summerville, S.C. Triangle Wrecks
SHEEPSHEAD: 15 pounds, 5 ounces, Byron Farlow, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.
SPADEFISH: 11 pounds, 9 ounces, Norong Nhek, Williamsburg Seagull Pier on Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel
SPANISH MACKEREL, 6 pounds, 9 ounces, Ross Christiansen, Kilmarnock, Tangier Lumps (N2 Buoy)
SPECKED TROUT: 12 pounds, 9 ounces, Michael Whittaker, Chesapeake, Elizabeth River
STRIPED BASS: 55 pounds, 1 ounce, James Greenwood, Chesapeake, False Cape
SWORDFISH: 196 pounds, Jim Bishop, Ellicott City, Md., off Wachapreague.
TAUTOG: 16 pounds, 1 ounce, Neal Taylor, Virginia Beach, Triangle Wrecks
TUNA (bluefin) 140 pounds, Jesse Bendily, Virginia Beach, The Fingers
TUNA (other) 267 pounds, 8 ounces, Frank Riganto, Virginia Beach, Norfolk Canyon
WAHOO: 78 pounds, 2 ounces, Wyatt Sabo, Virginia Beach, Norfolk Canyon.
MEETINGS, SEASONS AND EVENTS
National Wild Turkey Federation New River Valley Hunting Heritage Banquet, Sept 23, Custom Catering, Blacksburg, doors open 5:30, dinner 7:30, $55 single, $75 couple, youth $25, contact Edsel Frame.
September teal season, Sept 19-30 east of I-95; Sept 26-30 west of I-95
H.C. Edwards Chapter of Ruffed Grouse Society banquet, Sept. 24, Augusta Expoland, Fisherville, 6 p.m., tickets $55; $75 family, more information from Kenny Wilkinson.
Eastern and State Big Game Show, Sept. 24 and 25, Southampton County Fairgrounds, Franklin.
Smith Mountain Striper Club member/guest tournament, Sept 27, headquarters Captain Quarters headquarters, Mike Bendzus, tournament chairman, 540-576-2841.
Virginia Waterfowling Workshop, Sept 30-Oct. 2, 22 classes, Holiday Lake 4-H Center, $130 includes courses, lodging and meals, information and registration.
Snipe Season Oct. 6-10; Oct. 22-Jan. 31
Smith Mountain Striper Club meeting, Oct 7, 7 p.m., Moneta Community Center, program includes swapping equipment
Tri-County Forestry and Wildlife meeting on quail restoration, Oct. 10, 6 p.m., Moose Lodge at the foot of Catawba Mountain on Virginia 311 in Roanoke County. Guests welcome, $10 for meal, RSVP Rob Guiles, 540-384-6787.
Virginia Marine Science Commission public hearing on menhaden management, Oct. 17, 6 p.m., North Umberland High School Auditorium in Heathsville.
Woodcock season Oct. 29-Nov. 12; Dec. 16-Jan. 14
Smith Mountain Striper Club meeting, Nov. 4, 7 p.m. Moneta Community Center, elect officers.
Got an event? Let us know: xtrails@earthlink.net.
