Bill Cochran is a Roanoke Times outdoors columnist.

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Bill Cochran's Outdoors

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• Hunters and anglers still in the conservation business
• Drum fishing on Virginia’s Coast comes in two colors
• Elk advocate finally gets his day
• Turkeys are plentiful, so why are hunting regulations so tight fisted?
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Bill's Mailbag

• Remembering A. Willis Robertson
• Putting down a bear cub brings complaint
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Bill's Field Reports

• Eagles are up; black rail are down
• A. Willis Robertson great name for new DGIF headquarters
• Field reports archive

Resources

• Trout stocking schedule

LARGEST SNAKEHEAD FISH YET

It was the kind of trophy catch no one wanted to make, particularly fish officials in Virginia and Maryland. Cliff Magnus, of St. Charles, Md., landed a 2-foot long, 5-pound snakehead fish in the Potomac River just south of Alexandria, Va.

It was the first adult of the species found in the river. The other five that have been reported were juveniles.

Fish officials aren’t quiet ready to say that the appearance of the adult means this nonnative, potentially damaging species is breeding in the river. But it sure appears that the horse is out of the barn; the cat is out of the bag.

What would this mean? One fear is that the river’s smallmouth bass population could be decimated. At the minimum, it means another mouth for nature to feed, a toothy, aggressive, hungry mouth at that.

The snakehead is bad news when you consider its gifts of survival, like being able to live out of the water for three days and to move short distances across land using its fins as legs. Even the mighty smallmouth can’t compete with that.

It a big problem brought about by someone who apparently disregarded a ban to import this creature, possibly forever changing the makeup of our streams.

TOO MUCH RAIN FOR GAME BIRDS?

Outdoorsmen are beginning to observe young grouse, quail and turkeys, but you have to wonder if all the rain showers of recent weeks have been harmful to young broods of ground-nesting birds.

“It’s a little early yet, but I’m nevertheless concerned about all the rain we’ve been having,” said Gary Norman, the turkey and grouse biologist of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

Jay Jeffreys, a DGIF biologist, spotted a hen with 12 poults in Patrick County and has received reports of multiple sightings of young quail and turkeys in Nelson County.

One observer in Botetourt County saw a hen with 12 poults and three hens with 25 poults.

“Let’s hope for the best,” said Norman. Nesting success and brood survival of turkeys has been below average for the past several years, and grouse and quail populations have been on a decline.

One thing the rain has done in a positive way is to create a green jungle of cover and food for wildlife species.

DGIF BOARD NOW AT LEVEL I

The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries received overwhelming support from legislators in its bid to be elevated to a Level I agency. The agency has been at Level III during recent years. The upgrade came through an amendment that Gov. Mark Warner proposed to the state budget. It was approved in the House by a vote of 79-18 and in the Senate by 35-1.

The advancement of DGIF to a Level 1 executive agency recognizes the value of natural resources and the important role the agency plays, the Sportsmen of Virginia coalition stated in a release.

Some legislators and sportsmen have questioned the timing of the amendment, which boosts the salary range of the department’s executive director when the agency has had to make sharp cuts to its programs and personnel because of a lack of funding.

CCA ELATED OVER PROTECTION OF FUNDS

The Coastal Conservation Association of Virginia called it “its biggest victory of the year.” That came when state legislators upheld a budget amendment language change by Gov. Mark Warner that means future increase in saltwater recreational and commercial licenses fees won’t replace general funds. Such funds will go for designated projects of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, not operating expenses.

“CCA VA has not advocated raising license fees at this time,” said Richard Welton, executive director of the association. “We just wanted to make sure that if and when fees are raised, any increase will be fair, equitable, and the additional revenues will actually benefit those who pay the fee.”

DGIF BOARD TO MEET

The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Board is scheduled to meet Friday, June 25 to approve its 2004-05 budget and to set dove and other webless migratory bird hunting regulations.

Final action is expected on establishing an automated system of checking big game taken by hunters. Access fees to department lands and a fee system for visitors to fish hatcheries also is on the agenda.

The meeting is set for 9 a.m. at DGIF headquarters at 4000 W. Broad St. in Richmond.

GROUSE WORKSHIP SCHEDULED

Is there a future for grouse and grouse hunting in Appalachia? That is a major question to be addressed during a Ruffed Grouse Workshop scheduled in Shepherdstown, W.Va. Aug. 25 and 26.

The workshop will rely heavily on the findings of the recently completed Appalachian Cooperative Grouse Research Project. It is intended to provide land managers and researchers with information on grouse ecology and management in the Central and Southern Appalachians,” said Gary Norman, grouse biologist for the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Information on the meeting is available from Norman at normang@dgif.state.va.us.

The program will contain about 18 sessions on aspects of the life history, ecology and management of grouse over six years in eight states. Participants include state biologists, researchers from universities and even a representative of a preservation group that opposes providing habitat for grouse through timber management on public land.

SMITH RIVER TROUT REPORT

I arrived late Saturday morning at the Smith River and found my first two choices of fishing locations already occupied. I finally settled on a section of the lower river south of Bassett. Within a short time I was catching fish and enjoying life.

Things were going real well until I arrived at a section which was too deep to wade. There was a decent looking run just upstream that I was determined to fish. I got up on my tiptoes and maneuvered both left, right and up the middle. This resulted in a good bit of chilly water spilling over the top of my waders. I finally crawled up a steep bank and busted brush to where I could enter the water at the bottom of the run where I hit the mother load. I pulled about 20 trout out of the run before once again being forced to hit the bank to bypass another deep section. By the mid-afternoon my tally hit the mid-40s.

Sunday morning I fished half-a-day with a fellow who wanted to polish his skills and regain his confidence. We fished a short section at the lower end of the “Hay Fields.”

Once we got on the water it was obvious that all that was required from me was to point out spots to cast and offer encouragement. The fish were not biting as well as the previous day, but my fellow fisherman placed his hands on 18 trout and was very pleased with himself. I picked up nine by following along and fishing the lesser holding areas.

Sunday evening I returned to the river with the intention of adding a good number to my annual tally. I fished very methodically up through a section that had given up high numbers of trout the previous week, but I was barely able to hit double digits.

All fish caught Saturday and Sunday fell prey to the bead-head Allieworm nymph.

Monday morning found me at the base of the riffles at the lower end of the Special Regulations Area. I struggled to catch 10 trout and was tempted to climb a steep bank to the railroad tracks and call it a day; however, stubbornness forced me to press on.

I added a Gray Squirrel Nymph about 8 inches below the bend of the hook on my Allieworm and immediately began to catch fish after fish. I caught about 25 in a row on the Squirrel Tail before they all of a sudden switched back to the Allieworm.

The noontime generation surge forced me off the water just shy of the 50 mark. Not bad for what originally had looked like a dismal outing.

SALTWATER FISHING HIGHLIGHTS

>>Capt. Ferrell McLain, of bayfish.net, reports that bottom fishing in the mid-Chesapeake Bay is good for croaker with a few trout, flounder, and bluefish mixed in. Striped bass are available in Maryland water where chummers are doing well in the Triangle area. The striper season is closed in Virginia.

>>Lots of Spanish mackerel can be found around Cape Henry in Virginia Beach. Some are running up to 3 pounds apiece.

>>Large spot are being caught off Parrot Island in the Rappahannock River and in the holes of the Piankitank River.

FRESHWATER FISHING HIGHLIGHTS

>>Some of the best fishing in the state centers on sunfish. Nottoway River is hot for red-breasted sunfish. Plenty of bluegills are being caught at Cohoon and Meade lakes, and limits are being taken in the Chickahominy River. Three anglers landed 100 bluegills during an outing on Chickahominy Lake, where bass and bowfin action also is excellent.

>>Red Moore of Drakes Branch landed a blue catfish at Kerr Lake that weighed 53.44 pounds.

>>Mike Fowler of James City County caught the biggest striped bass ever landed from Little Creek Reservoir. The fish, taken on a live shad, weighed 25 pounds.

>>Striped bass fishing has been good in the lower end of Kerr Lake, from the dam to Buoy 7 and in the vicinity of Buoys A, B. C and D of Nutbush Creek. The Megabait has been a hot jigging lure.

>>Bass to 4 pounds are being caught on top-water lures at Lake Gaston.

>>Greg Heath and Kenny Ames of Appomattox landed 50 young bass one trip and 70 on another at Briery Creek Lake. The fish weighed 1-to 3-pounds, which point to a good crop of bass coming on at this trophy lake. The two anglers were using top-water lures.

>>Top-water fishing for bass at Lake Anna has been productive. Bass also are being caught deeper with Zoom Flukes and Stickos and plastic worms.

OUTDOOR BRIEFS

>>If you are fishing the James River, be aware that it has been running high and discolored following heavy showers. For information on the condition of the lower James near Richmond, try this Web site: waterdata.usgs.gov/va/nwis/uv/?site_no=02037500&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060,00062

>>Maryland officials have issued a health advisory recommending that people eat no more than two serving a month of striped bass from its tidal waters because of PCBs found in sample fish. Virginia officials are waiting lab tests to determine if consumption limits should be place in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries.

>>Two popular fishing lakes in the Powhatan Wildlife Management Area were damaged by heavy rains last week and are closed to fishing. Located in Powhatan County, the lakes, about 30 acres in size, were popular with anglers casting to bass, crappie, and sunfish. They are expected to be closed for at least 30 days, but it will take several years to rebuild the fishery, officials of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries said.

>>The University of Virginia Press has released a book by David Johnston titled The History of Ornithology in Virginia. Don’t let the title put you to sleep. The volume is scholarly but very readable because Virginia has a storied history of bird life and many distinguished birders have been attracted it. The 219-page book sells for $35 on line at unpressva@virginia.edu.

>>Michigan's Kevin VanDam won the first ever Bassmaster Elite 50 series championship, worth $150,000. His earlier wins include three CITGO Bassmaster Angler of the Year titles and the 2001 CITGO Bassmaster Classic. The top 10 anglers in the Elite 50 standings earned berths in the July 30-Aug. 1 2004 Classic in Charlotte. In addition to VanDam, they include Alton Jones, Stacey King, Greg Hackney, Gary Klein, Zell Rowland, Mark Davis, Dean Rojas, Tom Biffle and Dusty Wilks.

>>Funding of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act took a cut last year and currently is being recommended at a level 30-percent blow the President’s requested funding level. This has conservationists concerned. The act is reputed to be the best program for conserving wetlands in a non-regulatory way.

>>A ski boat went over the dam at Lake Chesdin, killing the operator.

>>Members of the Virginia Deer Hunters Association have been alerted that they will received $2,000 in accidental death and dismemberment benefits as part of their membership benefits.

>>Zebra mussels are headed down the Susquehanna River, which means they are on the start of a more than 400 mile journey toward the Chesapeake Bay. A native of the Black Sea, the mussels have caused environmental and economic harm where they have gotten a foothold.

>>New Hampshire and Vermont have passed legislation that will regulate the use of lead fishing sinkers, which some believe are harmful to the environment. Legislation in New Hampshire will take effect next year to prohibit the sale or possession and use of lead sinkers or jigs while freshwater fishing. The Vermont legislation would phase out the use of lead sinkers, prohibiting their sale Jan. 2006 and their use Jan. 2007.

>>According to a Mississippi newspaper, a man accidentally placed a nozzle of a gasoline hose into a rod holder and pumped 35 gallons of as into the floor of his boat.

VIRGINIA SALTWATER FISHING TOURNAMENT

The Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament has its first dolphin entry of the season and there are new leaders in the cobia, croaker and spot categories. Here are the standings:

BLACK DRUM: 95 pounds, Joseph Roub, Baltimore, Md., Hog Island Bay.

COBIA: 83 pounds, Scott Breeden, Hampton, lower-western Chesapeake Bay.

CROAKER: 5 pounds, Jarvis Taylor, Richmond, lower York River.

DOLPHIN: 40 pounds, Ronald Carter, Manns Harbor, N.C., off Virginia Beach.

FLOUNDER: 12 pounds, 10 ounces, Leah Hunger, Virginia Beach, lower-eastern Chesapeake Bay.

GRAY TROUT: 12 pounds, 12 ounces, Greg Thayer, Gloucester, upper-eastern Chesapeake Bay.

KINGFISH: 1 pound, 14 ounce, Bobby Smith, Portsmouth, lower-western Chesapeake Bay.

SEA BASS: 6 pounds, 14 ounces, Mark Fueller, Rio Grande, N.J., off Virginia Beach.

SHEEPHEAD: 13 pounds, 2 ounces, Gary Reese, Pasksley, lower-eastern Chesapeake Bay.

SPADEFISH: 12 pounds, 14 ounces, Bill Hall, Bloxom, upper-eastern Chesapeake Bay.

SPECKLED TROUT: 12 pounds, 14 ounces, Ivan Hutton, Virginia Beach, Elizabeth River.

SPOT: 1 pound, 4 ounces, Gilbert Smith, Charles City, lower Rappahannock River.

STRIPED BASS: 63 pound state record, Carolyn Brown, Virginia Beach, off the Virginia Coast.

TAUTOG: 22 pounds, 9 ounces, Julie Ball, Virginia Beach, off Virginia Beach.

TUNA: 112 pounds, 4 ounces, Alan Ellison, Fruitland, Md. off Eastern Shore.

MEETINGS/EVENTS/SEASONS

Meeting of the Smith Mountain Striper Club, 7 p.m., July 2, Moneta Community Center, guest speaker Warren Turner, president of the National Striped Bass Association.

Virginia Trappers Association’s Convention and Sportsman’s Show, July 23-25, Luray, $5 admission, primitive camping available, information from Bryan Nelson, redfox12172@netscape.net.

The Triangle Bowhunters of the New River Valley has announced it schedule of three 3-D archery events on its property between Christiansburg and Blacksburg. Dates for the events are July 25, Aug. 22 and Sept. 19. Information is available from vfaa.org or from Jim Overfelt, jimo@vt.edu.

Bassmaster Classic, July 30-Aug. 1, Lake Wylie/Charlotte, N.C.

Mother-Daughter Outdoors Event, Aug. 20-22, Appomattox, opportunity for women 9 and up to learn outdoor skills. Information from dgif.state.va.us/events/

Virginia Outdoors Weekend, Sept. 17-19, for families, Westmoreland State Park, information from dgif.state.va.us/events/

Smith Mountain Striper Club fall tournament, Oct. 9., information from Rex Smith, smithrex@charter.net.

CITGO Bassmaster Open tournament, Oct. 14-16, Smith Mountain Lake.

Got an event? Let us know: xtails@earthlink.net