Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries fishing report 10-13

[Fishing Report]

Fishin' Report

Anglers throughout Virginia and neighboring states want to know "how are the fish bitin'?" To provide some answers, more than 25 license agents, marinas, fishing guides, and bait shops have volunteered to serve as contacts for information on recent fishing conditions for primary rivers and lakes throughout the state. Sarah White, outdoor writer and regular contributor to Virginia Wildlife magazine, prepares this Fishin' Report from interviews with these contacts the week prior to publication of the Outdoor Report.

The Fishin' Report is only available as part of your free subscription to the Outdoor Report.

The rivers and lakes featured in the Fishin' Report are listed by VDGIF Administrative Regions so you can quickly locate the area in which you are most interested.

For regulations and conditions on saltwater fishing, visit the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) website. New Saltwater Fisherman Identification Program (FIP) Requires Angler Registration Starting January 1, 2011: The Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) will implement a free state saltwater angler identification program as of January 1, 2011. Purchasers of annual Virginia saltwater fishing licenses do NOT have to register. The Virginia Fisherman Identification Program (FIP) will require unlicensed saltwater anglers aged 16 and older to register and receive an identification number annually. Adult anglers who fish for anadromous or marine species in freshwater must also register. There is no cost for registration. Online registration is available on VMRC's website. To register by phone, call toll-free 1-800-723-2728. For more information, visit VMRC's website or contact VMRC at (757) 247-2200.

The new 2011 Freshwater Fishing in Virginia (Fishing Regulations) book has been published and a copy can be obtained at the upcoming fishing and hunting shows, all license agents and Department offices. This publication not only contains the fishing regulations, but an extensive 'Let's Go Fishing' section, with information about major sport fish, public fishing lakes, major fishing rivers, and the trout stocking program. Also, you can find information about fish citations, state records, angling education programs, exotic species, and more." The Freshwater Fishing Regulations section, including the complete Trout Fishing Guide, on our website have also been updated for 2011.
The Fishing Spot
by Chris Dunnavant, VDGIF Angling Education Coordinator

Greetings folks! My name is Chris Dunnavant and I am the Angling Education Coordinator and Director of the Angler Recognition Program here at VDGIF. My travels with the Agency as well as my personal fishing exploits have taken me all over the Commonwealth to experience great fishing and meet some really neat and talented people. In this new feature of the Outdoor Report, I will be sharing a variety of fishing information including fishing tips & hotspots, interviews, stories, program news and much more. I hope to pass along to you some of the wonderful opportunities afforded to me as an angler that may help improve your skills and at the least, provide some enjoyment. After all, Fishing is Fun!

Where Can I Go Fishing?

I attended the Fall Orvis Days Kickoff VIP event last week at the Richmond Orvis Retail Store at Short Pump Town Center. Fall Orvis Days takes place October 6 -23 and is the store's biggest retail event of the year with special offers, savings, free demonstrations, treats for your dog and more. The kickoff event last week included seminars and expert guests, a catered spread including sliders and barbeque and live acoustic guitar playing in the background.

The event was open to the public but participants of Fly Fishing 101/201 received a special invitation. The free 101/201 classes offered during the summer included instruction on fly fishing basics for the whole family, special in-store offers, free Trout Unlimited and Federation of Fly Fishers memberships and an instructor assisted fly fishing trip to local waters. Sales Manager, Duber Winters, reported there has also been follow up evening sessions held at the store to further the participants fly fishing education. Keep posted to the Richmond Orvis website for future educational events and look for Fly Fishing 101/201 next spring and summer.

I had the privilege of joining in with DGIF's, Lee Walker, as he presented a "Local Fishing Opportunities" seminar at the Orvis event. One of our most frequently asked questions is, "Where can I go fishing?" If you are looking for access to public waters I recommend beginning with our website, www.HuntFishVA.com, then click on "Fishing" where you will find the "Where to Fish" section. Here you can click on Lakes or Rivers & Streams and select the body of water by name or search by locality. The pages for each body of water include overview information, maps & directions, fishing opportunities, biologist reports, regulations, facilities and more. This is an invaluable resource to prepare for a fishing trip to a new location or to learn more about a place you have fished for years.

A mandatory item for anglers includes the DeLorme Virginia Atlas and Gazetteer. This topographic map book comes in handy for navigating to fishing locations, but also can reveal tough to find access points along a river or stream. Once you have selected your fishing spot, be sure to check it out on Google Earth. You will be amazed at how much you can learn about a body of water from an overhead view: sandbars, rocky shoals, riffles, laydown trees, docks and even shallow underwater stumps can be found with this tool.

The big key is to just go and get started and then go again! The more times you frequent a place the better you will learn it and figure out how to catch fish at that location. During down times or poor weather, take your map and do a reconnaissance trip, you will then be better prepared to return and fish when the conditions are right. Conduct an internet search of the body of water, you may find websites, forums or message boards that can be very helpful. You may also find a club or group that you can join in with; networking is a tremendous help in learning about fishing.

Now is a great time to ask, "Where can I go fishing?" There is less competition on the water as many are trading in the rod for the gun and the woods. Recreational boating has slowed down, the weather is cooling and the leaves are changing; it's a wonderful time to go fishing!

Concession Closed at Clinch Mountain Fee Fishing Area

Effective August 13, 2011, the concession is closed at Clinch Mountain Fee Fishing Area in Washington County. Anglers may purchase daily permits at any license agent or online. Tom Hampton, VDGIF Lands and Facilities Manager for the Region 3 Southwest in Marion, noted, "Trout stocking and all other operations at the Fee Fishing Area will continue through September 30th. We regret any inconvenience that the closure of the concession for purchasing licenses and supplies may cause."

The Clinch Mountain fee fishing area (Tumbling Creek) offers put-and-take trout fishing with the added advantage that trout are stocked several times per week throughout the season. The fee fishing program operates from the first Saturday in April through September at Clinch Mountain. During the fee fishing season, a daily permit is required in addition to a valid Virginia freshwater fishing license. After the fee fishing season, these areas revert to designated stocked trout waters and a trout license is required instead of the daily permit.

The fee fishing area is located within the Clinch Mountain Wildlife Management Area in southwest Virginia, about 7 miles west of Saltville. The area consists of approximately 7 miles of Big Tumbling Creek and its two major tributaries, Briar Cove Creek and Laurel Bed Creek.
New Boat Ramp Opened on New River at Ivanhoe

The latest of 216 public boating access sites managed or developed by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is now open in Carroll County for hand-launched boats. Located just off Trestle Road near Ivanhoe, the site serves the New River. The facility consists of a gravel parking lot and gravel trail to the water's edge. Located on the north shore of the New River about one mile below Buck Dam and about four miles upstream from the VDGIF's boat landing at Austinville, the Ivanhoe boating access site should be popular with anglers wishing to fish from the shoreline or float to Austinville. The Ivanhoe Public Boating Access site is reached by turning east off of Route 94 south of Ivanhoe onto State Route 658 (Trestle Road). Continue on Route 658 under the New River Trail, and then take an immediate left to the boat landing. For information on fishing the New River, check the reports in the Fishin' Report- Sarah White's Notebook, or Visit the VDGIF website for New River fishing and boating access.
Gear up for Fall Boating! Wear your Life Jacket and Take a Boating Safety Class

Attention boaters, VDGIF has begun to phase in Virginia's boating safety education requirement. To find out more about the boating safety requirement, the rest of the phase-in for Virginia boaters, or to find a boating safety course, visit the Department's website.

Virginia's life jacket laws require that there must be one wearable (Type I, II, III, or V) USCG approved life jacket of the appropriate size for each person on the boat. All boats, except for personal watercraft, canoes, kayaks, and inflatable rafts, must carry one USCG approved Type IV throwable ring or seat cushion. In addition, if you are boating on federal waters where the USCG has jurisdiction, children under the age of 13 must wear a life jacket unless below deck or in an enclosed cabin.

Review the article, "Does Your Lifejacket Really Fit?" in the Be Safe... Have Fun section.
Video Features Squirrel Skinning Quick and Easy and Panfish Preparation and Filleting

Another great DVD is now being offered at the VDGIF store, this one a double-feature: Squirrel Skinning Quick and Easy and Panfish Preparation and Filleting. If you want to learn one of the best methods we've seen for skinning squirrels, former Game Warden John Berry teaches it in detail on the first video. This video has been extremely popular to walk-in customers at VDGIF headquarters, and is now available for ordering on-line, VDGIF Outdoor Education Instructor Jenny West demonstrates various ways to prepare tasty panfish, including scaling, dressing, and filleting. Get both "how to" videos on one DVD for $8.00, shipping included. The DVD makes a great gift for sporting enthusiasts young & old.

Order your own copy today!
Got Pictures of Your Catch? Share Them With Us on Flickr!

How was your last fishing trip? Did you take pictures of your catch? Send them to us and share it with the world! Here's how:

Email your photos to us and we'll post them on our "Virginia Fishing" group on the photo-sharing website, Flickr.
Or, if you already have an account on Flickr, join the group and submit your photos. It's easy!

No matter how you send in your pictures, please remember to include the species, date, and location of your catch. If you know the length and weight, please include it.

Rules for submitting photos to the group:

Photos must be of fish caught in Virginia.
Photos must not depict unsafe practices.
Please do not publish personal information (last names, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, etc.).
Please do include the species, location, and date of catch!
Only submit photos for which you have permission to post online. For example, any minor pictured must have documented permission from his or her parent or guardian in order to appear in the group. By submitting a photograph of your child, you are giving VDGIF permission to post the photo on the Flickr "Virginia Fishing" group.

The Memories Are Always Bigger Than the Fish

Buy your fishing license today.

Remember the excitement? The rush? A picture is worth a thousand words, but sharing the memory of catching that first fish with your family or friends is priceless. Why wait? Start your memories today and buy your fishing license.

Go to HuntFishVA.com, call 1-866-721-6911, or visit your nearest license agent.

If you have already purchased your 2011 fishing license, we would like to thank you for helping to support Virginia's wildlife and natural resources.
Don't miss out on a great fishing season.
Your License Dollars Support State Conservation Efforts
Sarah White's Notebook
Regional River and Lake Reports on Fishing Conditions

Attention Readers – If your favorite body of water is not covered in the Fishin Report, and you are a guide, tackle shop owner, marina or just a devoted angler; please drop me a line and we will see about adding your bi-weekly or periodic reports in the e-newsletter by telephone or email contacts. You can reach me, Sarah White at fishing_report@hotmail.com.
View online the:

Trout Stocking Schedule
Freshwater Fishing Regulations
Largemouth Bass Lakes Report
Walleye Fishing Forecast
Walleye Tagging Study
American Shad Restoration Project
Shad Tagging Study
Beginning July 1, South Holston Reservoir Fishing License Available to VA, TN Anglers
Shenandoah and James Rivers Fish Health Update
Largemouth Bass Virus Detected in Virginia Reservoirs...
Chesapeake Bay Sustainable Goal Implementation Team
Atlantic States Fisheries Commission

Region 1 - Tidewater

Little Creek Reservoir: Contributed by Park Concessionaire Diane Priestley, (757) 566-2277, hhhatlcr@aol.com. Last week was slow on the creek, the water clarity has improved, it is at 15 ft. with a temperature of 82. Lots of pickerel were caught, along with small bass averaging 2 to 3 lbs. Most were holding on shore line cover; try worms or a crankbait. A couple fell to spinner baits, and some are still being caught trolling deep running crankbaits mid lake, with shad colors working best. The herring are still hard to find so don't plan on free swimming them on the points. Some bluegills were taken on red wigglers. Crappie were hard to find, but 2 or 3 showed up in the 10 to 12 in. range. With the dropping temperatures, the bass will get larger and numbers will improve. We have to fish till we find them.

Beaverdam Reservoir: (804) 693-2107, www.gloucesterva.info. Contributed by Park Supervisor Blair Evans. Bass anglers have been reporting good fishing during the earlier part of the day. The lake still has a good amount of grass and it sounds like the best plan of action is to fish around the grass. We have not heard any reports from crappie anglers and there were no notable catches from the past week. The water is 75 degrees at full pool and slightly stained.

Beaverdam Park's last tournament of the year will be held on Saturday October the 15th. The top twenty teams from the Big Bash Tournament series will compete for top angler. For more information, visit our website or call the park at (804) 693-2107. Park Hours: October: 7:00 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., November: 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Cat Point Creek: Contributed by our new reporter Penn Burke of Spring Shad Charters (804) 354-3200. No report this edition.

Virginia Beach: Captain Jim Brincefield (443) 336-8756. Captain Jim says that speckled trout can be found at Lynnhaven and Rudee Inlets and in the Elizabeth River. They are going for Fishbite and Mirrolures. Rockfish season has started, but you may only keep 2 and they must be 18 inches or larger. They are hanging out around the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel near the Islands and the Tubes. Bucktails are a good bet for these fish. Spot and croakers are at the mouths of the James and York rivers, and also Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel and Lynnhaven and Rudee Inlets. They are attacking Fishbite and blood worms. Bluefish have come to Cape Henry and are hitting spoons. The water is 66 degrees and fairly clear.

Back Bay: Local angler Tom Deans. No report this edition.

Chickahominy River: River's Rest (804) 829-2753. Charlie Brown reports that bass action is good, with shadowlures, top-waters and Senko's Baby Bass being the lures of choice. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Lots of good sized cats are coming in on live eel and cut bait. Bluegill are being extremely cooperative when offered a red wiggler. No word on perch. The water is slightly stained and in the low 70s.

North Landing River and Back Bay: West Neck Marina (757) 426-6735. Dewey Mullins told me that the bass bite is really good just now, with some 4 lb. lunkers coming in. Good lures are top-waters, cranks, spinners and dark colored plastics. Crappie action is starting to heat up and should get even better. Try minnows and jigs. No word on cats, but they are out there. Both white and yellow perch are going for jigs, small spinners and night crawlers. Bluegill are plentiful and easy to land with red wigglers, crickets and popping bugs. The water is clear and in the 60s.

Norfolk Lakes: Dasheill's Show Room (757) 539-7854. Drew Dixon says that bass are biting plastics and top-waters early and late. The crappie bite is picking up well, with the slabs biting minnows and jigs. Cats are hungry and will go for just about anything. White perch have gone. Bream action is slow, but try a small worm. The water is clear and cooling.

Blackwater and Nottoway: By Riverkeeper Jeff Turner www.blackwaternottoway.com. Spirit of Moonpie and I spent the 2nd through the 4th on the Nottoway below the Narrows. The water was clear, fast, high at 9.5 on the United States Geological Survey gauge in Sebrell and 63 degrees. I saw no water quality issues other than the piles of trash. This was my first land-based trip of the year and I was so happy for the chilly cool weather which seemed to defeat the skeeters pretty well out there. The fishing on this trip was not good, at least for casting anyway. I only caught four really small bass. I did set limb-lines one night and caught two nice channel cats to 5 pounds. I also caught two blue cats, one was 19 pounds and the other was a monster 30 pounder!

I also found an abandoned turtle trap. The trap contained both live and dead turtles. I contacted VDGIF and was told to destroy the unmarked device and release the remainder of the live turtles, which I did. VDGIF Conservation Police Office Lt. Scott Naff advises, "Traps should be used responsibly and checked in accordance with regulations. Not abiding by the regulations can result in the unnecessary death of fish and wildlife. If you find one of these traps that does not have the trappers identification, or appears to be abandoned, call the nearest VDGIF office and report it as Jeff did so it can be removed so as not to harm wildlife not intended to be harvested."

Upper and Lower Tidal James: Local Guide, Captain Mike Hoke, Life's Revenge Guide Service, (804) 357-8518. Captain Mike reports that crappie are really hot just now. Glow head jigs and Triple Ripple Grubs (green with a chartreuse or white tail) have landed him some 13 inchers that weighed in at almost 2 lbs. They were caught 6 to 7 feet down. Cats are going for live and cut shad. Bass are taking top-waters in the evening. The water is 69 degrees and cooling, and is clear.

Region 2 - Southside

Lake Gordon: Contributed by our man in the boat Willard A. Mayes. After the eventful trip to Brunswick Lake, I made sure the full charge light was on the battery charger before heading to Lake Gordon in search of something to put into the frying pan. I did take time to hook up the old charger to the spare battery to make sure it was at full charge before heading out. I arrived at the lake around 11:30 to find the lake water a brownish green with visibility to about 3 feet. I launched the boat and dropped the trolling motor in to the water and tried to head out, nothing happened, I had already had the battery go dead in the wireless control for the trolling motor once before so I was sure it had happened again. I spent about 10 minutes looking for the spare battery and installing it but still the motor would not come on. I was starting to feel a little disappointed about now and thought it was time to push the button on the trolling motor to see the state of the battery. I now know what happened on Brunswick Lake, the battery was totally dead, my fancy automatic battery charger had got me again showing full charge and cutting off and not charging. Only manual chargers for me from now on. I put the spare trolling motor in the water and tried fishing for the rest of the day. I said tried fishing, because I used almost every color twister tail I could think of as well as every technique I knew and only caught two fish, one 9 inch crappie and one 9 inch white perch. I am not sure if the fish were on holiday or they relocated or were lost when the water was lost out of the lake this spring. I may try the lake one more time before making up my final thought. I did see a lot of small fry along the shore line so there is hope.

Sandy River and Briery Creek: Contributed by Longwood College Fishing Club's Jack Pollio. No report this edition.

James at Scottsville: Local Guide L.E. Rhodes www.hatchmatcherguideservice.com, (434) 286-3366. The James is low and gin clear. It's running at 2.7 feet and 1170 CFS. The water temperature is 66 degrees. The smallmouths are still feeding on soft plastics, crankbaits and jigs. Fly anglers are having success with streamers and crayfish patterns. Start with the biggest streamer you have and work your way down if needed. Most of the fish are found off the banks in the shelves and ledges with some depth.

Kerr Reservoir: Bob Cat's Lake Country Store, (434) 374-8381. Brandon Gray told me that bass action is "decent", try small cranks in the shallows and near rocky points. The crappie bite is improving and should only get better. Your best bet is to try minnows and jigs around bridge pilings and brush piles. Cats are biting around the Clarksville part of the reservoir and like jumbo shiners, live bream, live crappie and cut bait. No word on perch or bluegill. Some stripers were landed near Clarksville on live bait. The water is in the high 60s to low 70s and clear.

James at Lynchburg: Angler's Lane, (434) 385-0200. According to Tom Reisdorf, smallie fishing is "not too bad". The fish are going deeper and responding to minnow imitations. Rainbows and browns in the Jackson are active and going for cinnamon colored ants. Brookies in the mountains are going into their spawning pattern and should be left alone (I think we all want to be left alone while spawning.) The water is clear and cooling.

Lake Gaston: Holly Grove Marina, (434) 636-3455. Craig Karpinski reports that bass fishing is okay, with the backs of creeks and coves, around stumps and at the edge of grass being good places to try. Good lures are Carolina rigged plastic worms (green pumpkin is a great color choice), or top-water lures early and late. Crappie are biting well on jigs and small minnows about 5 feet down. Catfishing has been steady. Try clam snouts or chicken livers about 2 feet off the bottom. Perch are going for spinners off rocky points. Striper action has been slow, but should pick up, try trolling bucktails or silver spoons below Eaton's Ferry Bridge. Bluegill are all over the place and are attacking red wigglers. The water is clear and 68 degrees.

Lake Gaston Health Advisory: The Virginia Department of Health has issued an advisory on walleye fish consumption due to mercury contamination in Lake Gaston. Recent fish tissue sample results from the North Carolina Division of Public Health show mercury levels in walleye fish exceed the amount considered safe for long term human consumption. VDH advises the consumption of no more than two meals a month of walleye taken from Lake Gaston. Virginia's advisory stretches from John H. Kerr Dam downstream 18 miles to the Virginia-North Carolina state line. For additional details, visit the VDH fish consumption advisory page.

Smith Mountain Lake: Contributed by Mike Snead. Virginia Outdoorsman, (540) 724-4867, www.virginiaoutdoorsman.com. No report this edition.

Region 3 - Southwest

Claytor Lake: Contributed by Mike Burchett of Rock House Marina, (540) 980-1488. No report this edition.

Lower New River: Big Z'S (540) 639-1651. John Zienius told me that smallmouth action is good. Try pig & jigs or small jerks. Not many muskies are coming in, but things should improve soon. They will be foraging for winter so try big lures: cranks or jerks. The water is in the low 70s and clear.

New River: Tangent Outfitters, (540) 257-0415. No report this edition.

Upper New River: Contributed by Captain Forest Pressnell, (540) 818-5274, New River Charter. The Upper New has finally cleared and is a nice green color with about 6 ft. of visibility. Fishing has been good for everything. We boated 2 citation muskies on today's trip and one yesterday. Muskie are slamming everything. Smallies have been good on plastics and top-waters and the walleye bite is picking up with the water cooling. Water temp is 62 degrees. Get your fishin' fix in before old man winter arrives!

Top New River: We are pleased to welcome a new contributor for the New River. I'll let him introduce himself and give you his report. Hello, I am Richie Hughes, owner of New River Trips LLC. I will be giving a fishing report on the sections of the New from Mouth of Wilson, Va. to double shoals (Fries). This includes 6 sections of the New (45 miles). I am a retired High School teacher and have been fishing these waters extensively for the past 6 seasons. Anything upstream of Claytor Lake is called the Upper New; we will call this section the "Top New" since it is upstream of the Ivanhoe section and the Buck and Byllsby dams. We did trips this past week on the Mouth of Wilson section and double shoals. Smallmouth were caught on Senkos, crankbaits, flukes, grubs and top-waters. Baitfish and popping bug flies are also getting the attention of the smallies. The water is remarkably clear and the autumn days have been beautiful. A couple more weeks of good smallmouth fishing can still be had. Trout stream stocking in the area started last week. These Creeks are Big Wilson, Elk, Fox, Cripple and Chestnut.

Use common courtesy on the river and at landings... Blackwater and Nottoway Riverkeeper Jeff Turner advises if you're boating or fishing on the river this spring please remember that a lot of people fish anchored in the middle of the river this time of year. So, please slow down around those blind curves and don't wake people hard when they are fishing. At the boat ramps please don't prepare your boat to put in on the ramp or prepare your rig for going home on the ramp. There is usually lots of room in the parking lot. If you're in your boat waiting for the boat ahead of you to get out of the way, remember, don't make it harder on them by cruising back and forth in front of the landing at ¼ throttle and throwing a 3 ft. wake. You're only going to make him mad and take longer to get their boat on the trailer, plus it's against the law! Be courteous and respectful of others, after all we all want a safe and enjoyable trip to and from the river.

Region 4 - Mountains & Shenandoah Valley - Northern Piedmont

North and South Forks of the Shenandoah: Harry Murray (540) 984-4212 www.murraysflyshop.com. No report this edition.

Lake Moomaw: Contributed by local anger Bill Uzzell. Lake Moomaw is still in a fall transitional state with both largemouth and smallmouth bass relatively active although fishing was a little tougher this week due to the high pressure system that is hanging on. Great weather for humans but not as much for fish. Crankbaits seem to be getting more attention as the bass are aggressively feeding on the alewife shad that inhabit the lake. Dragging a jig is also getting some results; 3/8 to 1/2oz black/blue and pumpkin shades with some type of twin tail trailer. I did not hear of a strong top water bite this week; probably consistent with the weather conditions we had most of the week. On a personal note, I had some success with a drop shot near the 25 foot level. You can see the fish on sonar, just get some type of bait to them and they will eventually eat. The lake is 16 feet low, so again, be careful. Coles Point ramp is out of the water so you will have to launch at Fortney Branch (use the ramp closest to the dock) or Bolar ramp in Bath County. Water temperature is hovering around 65 degrees.

Lake Moomaw: Local Guide, Mike Puffenbarger, (540) 468-2682, www.mapletreeoutdoors.com. Puff is busy fishing, and getting ready for bow season starting October 1 in the Highlands. Check his website for the latest news on fishing conditions and what's biting. Also check his site if interested in a great deer or fall turkey hunting experience.

Piedmont Rivers: Local author Steve Moore (Wade Fishing River Guidebooks covering the: Rappahannock, Rapidan, Upper Potomac, North Branch Potomac; Blog: SwitchFisher.com) All of the area rivers continue to run high as result of the recent rain. The Upper Potomac and Rappahannock, as of last weekend, were both unsafe for wading, but okay for boating. Kayak and canoe enthusiasts should have a great time on the Rappahannock! The Rapidan is within margins. Looking ahead, the coming weekend should be pretty good as we draw down on the end of the smallmouth season. Those aggressive fish should be feeding vigorously as they start to move to their winter holes with the cooler weather. With the start of the trout stocking season, it's time to switch focus to that species. The Robinson River was stocked last week and I anticipate we will get more this week.

Lunga Reservoir and Rappahannock River: Contributed by local angler Scott Torgerson. Lunga Reservoir water level continues to be high with the temperature dropping into the low 60 degree range and the clarity maintaining its relative murkiness with visibility from the surface only about one to two feet in depth. Another key note for Lunga is the "range flags" that have been flying for the last few weekends, which means boats have not been able to move beyond the safety buoys on the main reservoir due to range safety fans for the ongoing military training and contract demolitions. It's unfortunate, but our military's preparedness is paramount and one of the understandable trade offs for those who enjoy fishing on Quantico. However, my son and I were still able to enjoy some early morning fishing trips the last two weekends, where we found the fishing is definitely slowing down with the temperature drop. The chain pickerel are more active and cruising the weedy flats and drop offs where they are hitting our slow trolling shad-colored crank baits in about 5 to 8 feet of water, along with some nice crappie and a few small largemouth bass and yellow perch. Lastly, we have pulled in a few medium-size largemouth bass in some of the shallow bays on small top water Pop'Rs and slow moving small jerk baits...but it seems the lunkers are already moving to deeper water. Still greatly enjoyed the sunrise, waterfowl and critters moving along the shore...so a "bad" day fishing is just fine with me!

We took a quick trip south to try our luck on catfish on the lower Rappahannock River, south of Fredericksburg. We went in at sunrise at the Little Falls boat ramp on Columbus Day, but only caught one small catfish in three hours of fishing. The water was high and murky with what appeared to be a slow downstream tide flow...and plenty of debris throughout the river. We fished the bottom with shrimp and Power Baits (blood and liver), with the small cat taking one of the shrimp. Nice sunrise...but no good filets for the dinner table. Maybe next time!?

Lake Orange: Contributed by Darrell Kennedy of Angler's Landing (540) 672-3997. Angler's Landing is closing for the winter and will reopen in March.

Lake Anna: Contributed by C. C. McCotter, McCotter's Lake Anna Guide Service, (540) 894-9144. No report this edition.

Lake Anna: Contributed by Local Guide Jim Hemby (540) 967-3313. No report this edition.

Attention Readers – If your favorite body of water is not covered in the Fishin Report, and you are a guide, tackle shop owner, marina or just a devoted angler; please drop me a line and we will see about adding your bi-weekly or periodic reports in the e-newsletter by telephone or email contacts. You can reach me, Sarah White at fishing_report@hotmail.com.

NOTICE: All anglers are reminded to acquaint themselves with a good description of the northern snakehead fish. If you should manage to catch one of these exotic imports, please kill it immediately and report the catch to either the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries or the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.