Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries fishing report 8-24

[Fishing 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. Consult the regional location map to find the major river or lake you want to know about.

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!

Combo Fishing

Virginia has an abundance of productive rivers for float fishing or wading such as the James, New, Potomac, and Shenandoah to name a few. The upper sections of these rivers are characterized by shallow rocky waters with sections of riffles, rapids, and stretches of deep, slow moving water. Each can be accessed and fished from the bank, by wading or by boat. So, which is the best way to approach these bodies of water for fishing? I propose a combination approach.

Bank or wade fishing is the best way to fish an area thoroughly; you can really cast to every nook and cranny, but access to banks or places to wade may be limited since our rivers are surrounded by private land. Float fishing by kayak or canoe gives you the best access to the river, but floating quickly through some of the best areas is common. There may be a stretch that is loaded with fish and only one or two fish are caught because of a fast drift and the clock is ticking to get back to the ramp before dark!

Well, why not combine the two? Use your boat such as a canoe or kayak to get to the best areas and then park your boat to fish those areas thoroughly. John Copeland, DGIF Fisheries Biologist, reports that catch rates of wade anglers rate the highest, with boaters second and bank fishing last. "Get into the water, you'll do better," says John, "In the hot summer you can stay cool while wading and always wear a PFD." Begin considering your boat as a tool to get to the hot spots and get out and wade for higher fishing productivity.

There are a couple different approaches for "combo fishing." First, launch at an access point and fish within a couple miles up or down from the ramp. Second, go on a typical float trip and incorporate wade-fishing into the day. With this approach, time management is critical, so be sure to paddle quickly through unproductive water. I recommend learning a stretch of river well by taking a few float trips and mark the best areas on a map or with a GPS. Over time you will know where to slow down and fish and the best areas to just paddle and enjoy the scenery.

Doing some homework can really pay off too. Go to the "Where to Fish" section of our website to learn about the stretch of river you plan to fish, locate access points, see biologist reports and more. Satellite imagery is also available on the web with Google Earth being the most popular; you can get a birds-eye view of the river before heading out. There are also multiple publications available including "The Catch Guide Series" by Steve Moore. Steve provides maps, GPS coordinates and access points to some great fishing on the Potomac, Rappahannock and Rapidan rivers. Steve is one of our contributors for Sarah Whites Fishin' Report for the Northern Piedmont section. Visit his website at switchfisher.com for more information on his books and fishing reports.

When wade fishing, beach your boat on the bank or some rocks, anchor it or attach it to your belt with a length of rope and a carabiner and pull behind you. I recommend only pulling your boat in slower moving and shallow water for safety. There are also some nice fisherman friendly PFD's with the floatation around the mid section and straps or mesh for the upper body and shoulders to provide mobility for casting and paddling.

There is some phenomenal fishing in VA's rivers and by applying the two most productive fishing methods with the combo fishing, float/wade approach, your success rate can only increase.
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. The weekend saw bass at 4.8 lbs. Drop shoting is the best way to go, but live minnows and herring on the edge of the grass caught some nice fish too. Catfish were caught by several fishermen, bluegills, shad and herring worked well. Panfish bit wigglers and crickets; most were small, but good numbers were caught. Stripers are still available on secondary points and mid lake points. Trolling deep diving crankbaits caught some fish. Stop by the shop we may have some herring. The water temperature is 86 degrease with a visibility of 17 ft., water level is 6 ft. low.

Beaverdam Reservoir: (804) 693-2107, www.gloucesterva.info. Contributed by Park Supervisor Blair Evans. Bass fishing continues to be slow and the anglers that are catching bass are catching them in deeper water. Bass anglers have been reporting that the bass seem to be sluggish and are spitting out baits. Fishing for sunfish and catfish remains good and we are hearing of a lot of people catching nice channel and brown bullhead catfish. There were no notable catches from the past week.

This year's last moonlight fishing will be held on September the 9th; and the last open Big Bash Bass Tournament will be held on September the 17th. For more information, visit our website or call the park at (804) 693-2107. Park Hours: now thru September 5th: 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Virginia Beach: Captain Jim Brincefield (443) 336-8756. Captain Jim told me that bluefish and Spanish mackerel are at Cape Henry; they are going for spoons. Spot are at Rudee and Lynnhaven Inlets and will take Fishbite or blood worms. Sheepshead are at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and like fiddler and hermit crabs. Red drum are at Fisherman's Island and are attacking cut bait or crabs. Flounder can be found at Buoy 42 and the cell. They will take large minnows or squid. The water is 78 degrees and fairly clear.

Back Bay: New reporter and local angler Tom Deans. No report this edition.

Chickahominy River: River's Rest (804) 829-2753. Alton Williams reports that bass fishing is good in his area. Plastics are your best bet. No word on crappie. Cat action is good with some lunkers coming in on eel. No word on bluegill. The water is slightly stained and in the mid 80s.

North Landing River and Back Bay: West Neck Marina (757) 426-6735. Dewey Mullins says that bass are really biting. Try top-waters early and late and spinners and cranks during the day. Hot water has made crappie action slow, but some may go for a minnow or jig. No word on cats, the whiskered ones are there for the having, but not many anglers are going for them. White perch will take minnows, night crawlers, small jigs and spinners. Lots of bluegill are coming in on red wigglers and top water poppers. The water is clear and in the mid to high 80s.

Norfolk Lakes: Dasheill's Show Room (757) 539-7854. Drew Dixon told me that lots of bass are being fooled. Top-waters are best early and late, with plastics being more successful during the day. Crappie are being a little stubborn, but try a minnow or a jig. Cat action is good with cut bait or night crawlers. High water temperatures are making the bluegill hard to get, but a red wiggler just might work. The water is clear and in the mid to high 80s.

Blackwater and Nottoway: By Riverkeeper Jeff Turner www.blackwaternottoway.com. Spirit of Moonpie, Freezing Deer and I spent the 16th through the 17th on the Nottoway below Delaware. The water was pretty normal and 80 degrees. Trash was practically non-existent. The only water quality issue I saw was the normal summertime biological scum I usually see at some of the curves in the river. The bass fishing on this trip was pretty darn good. I talked to a fella that was coming out as we were putting in and he had caught a bunch of largemouth. I caught 8 to 2 ½ pounders on a little top-water lure. I also caught right many nice size bream on a tiny Rapala worked on the surface. We did pretty good with those fish, however, we still could not hook up on the catfish at night. In fact we were skunked! I just don't know what else to try. We fished as deep a water as there is in the river, then tried mid depth and even really shallow, like 8 ft. All we could muster was a few nibbles on cut bream and steak fat. We did not see that many critters on this trip. We saw some freshwater sponges that are pretty unusual to find. Those usually are a great indicator that the water quality is good. We also watched some ospreys as we traveled pushing them ahead of us. One had a fish and just was carrying it around it seemed. Every time we would see this osprey take off, it had this fish. Moonpie suggested that maybe the osprey was trying to smoke the fish. Ahh yes, the smoke, wow, I have never seen anything like that before on the river. We woke up the second morning close to the Bronco Club choking and crying. The smoke from that Dismal Swamp fire was so thick visibility was like an ocean fog. We couldn't stand it and took off back upriver trying to get out of it. Finally the wind shifted and cleared it out some. However after looking at the forecast I decided that we better pack it in rather than risk the smoke coming back like it was that morning. I just could not take that. But we still had a good trip it's just that we returned from this one smelling more like charcoal than fish from the two rivers we call the Nottoway and Blackwater.

Recycle Your Used Fishing Line


You know how aggravating it can be to be pulling in you lure and you snag a wad of fishing line discarded by some discourteous angler into the water or strewn on the bank where some unsuspecting critter will get hopelessly entangled. In 2009, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) and Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) launched a monofilament fishing line recycling program across the Commonwealth. Both state agencies installed PVC pipe recycling containers at public boats launches at numerous lakes, rivers and coastal waters. Anglers and boaters are encouraged to deposit used monofilament fishing line into the PVC containers. According to VDGIF Fisheries Assistant Director Ron Southwick, who is coordinating the line recycling program for the Department, "Several conservation organizations and municipalities jumped on board as partners sponsoring sites for the containers across the state." Sponsoring groups include the Virginia Bass Federation, Fairfax County Park Authority, Suffolk-Nansemond Chapter of the Isaac Walton League, Northern Virginia Kayak Fishing Club, Orange County High School Anglers Club, City of Richmond Parks and Recreation, VA B.A.S.S. Federation Nation, and the Isle of Wight Ruritan Club. In addition to providing the monofilament fishing line recycling containers, the sponsors also help maintain the containers and collect the used line for recycling. Groups interested in participating in the fishing line recycling program can contact Ron Southwick at (804) 367-1292 or by email Ron.Southwick@dgif.virginia.gov. If you're out with a novice angler during the Free Fishing Days June 3-5, set a good example and make an effort to collect any litter and discarded fishing line from others and recycle in proper containers.

Why a Monofilament Fishing Line Recycling Program?
Recycling Container Construction Guide (PDF)
Recycling Container Assembly and Installation Guide (PDF)

Upper and Lower Tidal James: Local Guide, Captain Mike Hoke, Life's Revenge Guide Service, (804) 357-8518. Mike reports that it's too hot for good bass angling. Catfishing, though, is good with live bream, eels or cut shad. The water is 83 degrees and clear.

Region 2 - Southside

Ft. Pickett Reservoir: Contributed by our man in the boat Willard A. Mayes. I got away with the trip to Nottoway Falls so I thought I would try Ft. Pickett Reservoir. I did not get to the lake until 10:45, to find that they had turned off the aerators, so I knew I was in trouble since I had all the spots with good fishing marked off on the boat according to the aeration lines. The water has cooled off some and had a dark brown stain with visibility to only about a foot. I fished the middle of the lake from about 100 yards of the dam all the way to the first flats using every color twister tail, only catching couple small bluegill and one 4 inch bass. I fished the shore line to about 75 ft. out in the first inlet picking up several 8 to 10 inch crappie before I just had to see if they were hungry elsewhere in the lake. I fished all the way up the 2nd inlet, catching few more crappie and one 12 inch bass and by now it was pushing 3:00, so I fished back toward the dock catching a total of 15 crappie and 10 hand size bluegill. I was loading the boat before 5:00 p.m. and the water had cleared up to about 2 feet. I caught some fish on all colors but caught the most on the purple twister tail and 1/32 lead head.

Sandy River and Briery Creek: Contributed by Longwood College Fishing Club's Jack Pollio.

Sandy River: Fishing has been up and down lately. Water temperatures in the past two weeks have cooled down with the recent rain and then warmed up again with all the sunshine, and that has thrown the fish back and forth. On the good days where the fish are biting well, fish can be caught just about anywhere. Schooling bass are chasing shad in the back of creeks all the way out to the main lake points. Running a crankbait through these schools will pick up plenty of nice fish! Fish are still being caught deep as well on Carolina rigs, shakey heads, and deep diving cranks. I have also heard of really nice fish being caught off of stumps and humps on Texas rigged plastics, slow rolling spinner baits and reflecting cranks off of the stumps in all depths. I suggest just fishing your strengths and you should have a very fun day.

Briery Creek: Fishing has been slow here. Most of the bass being caught are on a variety of baits just like Sandy River. A shakey head and crankbaits have been the number one baits with a wacky worm always being a good choice. I have heard that the lower lake has been producing a little better but I suggest fishing your strengths again and you should have a fun day with good numbers of fish.

James at Scottsville: Local Guide L.E. Rhodes www.hatchmatcherguideservice.com, (434) 286-3366. The fishing continues to be good here on the James. Smallmouth up to 20 inches are being boated. Both fly anglers and conventional anglers are seeing better quality fish this year. The number of fish caught in a day may be down this year but the size and quality sure make up for it. Last week the river got blown out by the weekend storms. We received some much needed water but it kept us off the river until Friday. The fish were eager to please with catches of several smallmouth in the 15 to 17 inch range. Soft plastics were the hot baits for spin fishermen while top-waters keep the fly guys busy. Don't forget to look up every once in a while. On three different sections we saw seven different eagles-what a sight!

Kerr Reservoir: Bob Cat's Lake Country Store, (434) 374-8381. No report this edition.

James at Lynchburg: Angler's Lane, (434) 385-0200. Doug Lane says that smallmouths are going for Popping Bugs, Clawdads and Baitfish Patterns. The rainbows and browns are taking Hoppers and Baetis Patterns. The mountain waters are too low to go for brookies, so don't stress them by fishing for them. The water is clear, 59 degrees in the Jackson and warm in the James.

Lake Gaston: Holly Grove Marina, (434) 636-3455. Craig Karpinski reports that local bass are really hitting frogs. Crappie action is tapering off, but a small minnow fished about 5 to 10 feet down may produce. Cats are being cooperative; during the day, fish the bottom; fish 3 to 8 feet down during the evening. Good bets for bait are clam snouts, chicken livers or cut bait. Bluegill are going for red wigglers and small spinners. The water is clear and 82 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.

Bass: Fishing continued to be mixed this past week. The patterns are essentially the same as they have been for the past several weeks. While most bass are being caught deep, there are some being caught on deep-water dock pilings on wacky rigged, Yamamoto Senko worms with ZAPPU jigheads. Bass on similar docks are also being caught on crankbaits and finesse plastics rigged on shakey head jigs. Those bass found suspended deep off the sides of humps and near natural rock are being caught on drop shot rigs, heavy jigs and deep diving crankbaits. Heavy jigs rigged with plastic crawfish imitating plastic trailers are a good choice when fishing deep as are Carolina and Texas rigged plastic worms, lizards and creature baits. These are particularly effective and are producing bass when retrieved from shallow to deeper water off deep-water points and the sides of submerged bluffs. Good colors for soft plastics used during the day include green pumpkin and watermelon, depending on the water clarity in the section of the lake you are fishing. At night, darker color plastics like black, black grape, black with blue fleck and red fleck will work better. Larger ribbon tail worms and creature baits move more water than the smaller straight tail worms and can be a better choice when visibility is limited.

Stripers: Results continue to be mixed. Stripers continue to be found inside and out near the mouths of the major deep water creeks in the middle and lower sections of the lake. Most stripers are still being found deep in the water column. Anglers using live bait on downlines from 18 to 70 feet below the surface are catching nice fish. Stripers are hitting small alewives and threadfin as well as the occasional gizzard shad. Stripers are also being caught casting, retrieving and vertically jigging spoons, bucktails and flukes rigged on high quality jigheads (1/2 to ¾ oz). Trolling continues to be very effective for striped bass. Anglers trolling three-way rigs on leadcore line outfits as well as 3 and 4 arm Umbrella rigs (Urigs) like those by Captain Mack, are catching nice stripers. Line counter reels allow the angler to easily control and quickly adjust trolling depth by accurately measuring the length of line out behind the boat. Depth control is critical when fishing for stripers. Their eyes are located on the top of their heads, so for best success you want your lures presented above and not below them.

Baitfish: Bright moonlight continues to make it a little more difficult to catch bait under lights at night. In the summer months, when the water has a green tint due to algal bloom and temperatures near the surface are high, I suggest anglers use a high power spotlight or a bright halogen light to attract baitfish. I find that turning my light off just before I throw my net increases the numbers of baitfish caught significantly. I also find bait is deeper in the summer months and is often out of sight, so I let my cast net sink as deep as possible. When catching bait deep in the water column, I also use a cast net with an extended handline to allow it to get deeper.

Channel catfish: These fish to be caught by those fishing with dough ball stinkbait. Using a spring hook adds to the effectiveness of the dough bait as it holds the bait on the hook far better than regular hooks and hides the barbs until the catfish takes the bait. Flathead catfish are hitting live shad and small panfish like bluegills. Catfish are also being caught on large night crawlers.

Water temperature is 81 to 85 degrees with clarity being fair to good. Good luck and good fishing.

Remember with these nice sunny days comes a hidden killer, SUNBURN, and all the bad stuff that comes with it. Blackwater and Nottoway Riverkeeper Jeff Turner cautions, "Take it from me, 45 years of fishing with half of that done nearly naked in my youth is dangerous. We used to go get in the boat with just cut offs on, the muddy water was our sun block and it didn't work. I have already had one melanoma cancer removed from my neck that left an ugly 3 inch in diameter scar. So wear a hat or something that will cover your face, neck and ears. Put on a good high number sun block on the rest of you exposed to the world. It's not sissy to put on sun block; it beats having chunks of your face and arms/legs removed for cancer down the road."

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 the river level was up, which makes for better fishing. The smallmouth bite has picked up, with tubes and Senkos in dark colors being your best bet. Muskie action is slow, but should improve soon. Try a J13 Rapala. The water is a good green color and cooling.

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 still struggles with dingy water on and off but muskie fishing has been great on glide baits and top water depending on the time of day. Smallie fishing is slow, so plastics or small inline spinners are your best shot. Walleye and catfish are biting at night and we landed a 36 in. 15 lb. walleye (she was released) last week on a trip during the day, it hit a spinnerbait. The river is low and warm but fall is just around the corner so cooler water temps should really fire up the fishing before long.

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. Harry told me that the smallmouth streams are giving good fishing just now. Due to sunny days, evening fishing is best. The best areas in the South Fork are from Luray to Front Royal. In the North fork, the best areas are from Edinburg to Tom's Brook. Good flies are: Murray's Bass Cicada, size 8; and Murray's Bass Cricket, size 8. The water is clear, at a good level and 81 degrees. The stocked streams in the Valley are low, but fishable. The best action can be found downstream from the largest springs. Good flies are the Cranefly Larva, size 12; and Murray's Black Stonefly, size 12. The water is clear, at a low level and 78 degrees. The mountain streams are also low, but fishable. Use a cautious approach, using a delicate rod and a 6X or 7X leader. Good flies are: Murray's Housefly, size 14; Murray's Flying Beetle, size 16; and the Mr. Rapidan Ant, size 16. The water is clear and 68 degrees.

Lake Moomaw: Contributed by local anger Bill Uzzell. The bass fishing at Lake Moomaw continues to be challenging, but with moderating temperatures there seems to be an upswing of success, especially in the daytime bite. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass are being caught but the larger fish continue to elude fisherman. Most fish are in the 1 to 2 lb. weight class with an occasional 3 lb. fish showing up. The night bite was tough last week, but should rebound this week. A variety of artificial baits and techniques are being employed. Most popular are drop shots with 4 in. finesse worms. Shakey head jigs tipped with a variety of plastics are also successful. Carolina rigs are a distant third. Top-water action continues to be a mystery to anglers, but with water temps falling into the low 80s, hopefully things will improve. Deep running crankbaits have seen an uptick this past week. Bass are responding to these baits 10 ft. and below. Please be careful when boating as dropping water levels expose points and flats. I witnessed several boats run in 3 ft. and less water that normally would be 13 to 15 ft. deep. If in doubt, stay away from the shoreline. Observe where boats are fishing as this will help to indicate where the shallower depths are.

Lake Moomaw: Local Guide, Mike Puffenbarger, (540) 468-2682, www.mapletreeoutdoors.com. Puff is busy fishing, check his website for the latest news on fishing conditions and whats biting.

Piedmont Rivers: Local author Steve Moore (Wade Fishing River Guidebooks covering the: Rappahannock, Rapidan, Upper Potomac, North Branch Potomac; Blog: SwitchFisher.com) Finally! A strong push of rain last week revitalized the Rapidan and Rappahannock and got the big smallies moving again. Unfortunately, since then, the river levels retreated back to levels far below normal, making it hard to predict where the fish will move. Right after the rain, we found them distributed widely across the river to include in the smaller holes at river center. I anticipate that they will scatter back to the deep holes with those under shade along the shoreline or highly oxygenated spots on the downstream side of any riffles being the most likely holding positions. As the water levels continue to decline, recognize that you must add additional standoff to keep from spooking the bass – especially as the water clears – take the long cast. The Rappahannock will run clear first, followed by the Rapidan several days later. Unless there has been additional rain, both rivers should be running clear and low by the weekend. Over on the Potomac, the impact of the low water levels is not as severe since there are more deep holding positions. According to Ken Penrod, Lander and Whites Ferry are the two best places to go right now with Stiks, tubes, and even top water lures like buzzbaits being productive during low light conditions. The mountain trout water is horribly low. You will waste your time if you head to the mountains; stick to the big rivers.

Northern Virginia Lakes: Contributed by local angler Scott Torgerson. No report this edition.

Rappahannock - South of Fredericksburg: Contributed by local angler Scott Torgerson. No report this edition.

Lake Orange: Contributed by Darrell Kennedy of Angler's Landing (540) 672-3997. No report this edition.

Lunga Reservoir: Contributed by local angler Scott Torgerson. After a break from the heat I was able to get out and enjoy a couple of quiet Saturday mornings on Lunga Reservoir on Quantico. As you might assume with the heat and fairly dry summer, I found the water level of the reservoir dropping another ½ foot or so, the surface temperature holding firm just shy of 80, and the clarity sticking to a cloudy green with visibility of only a couple feet. I'm happy to report the very early mornings, sunrise plus a couple of hours, were great for largemouth bass devouring my top-water shad imitating PopR plugs in only 1 to 2 feet of water. And while some were little guys, most were 1 to 2 pounders in the 14 to 16 inch slot range with a chain pickerel or two tossed in. Definitely a lot of fun! As the heat rose, I shifted to slow trolling a 'foxy' shad lipless crankbait in 8 to 10 feet of water while heading from spot to spot. I usually pick up a few largemouth bass, chain pickerel, or yellow perch that way as well. In fact, this past Saturday I also caught the largest yellow perch of the summer slow trolling this way at probably 1 to ½ to 2 lbs and about 15 inches. I definitely think it was VDGIF citation class worthy. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to confirm my estimates, because I also ended up sharing the crankbait's treble hooks with the lunker! Sad to say, but he flipped at the perfectly wrong time and I ended up with a hook buried deep into my right index finger. Ugh. Lesson learned, use your net when you're fishing alone and definitely keep some narrow wire cutters in your tackle box besides just your pliers to help separate the hook from the rest of the lure. It still took a couple more hours to get off the lake, load the truck, and find an emergency room with the proper tools to numb up the digit and remove the treble hook. Ugh number two. Oh well, I'm sure I'll be ready for more fishing next weekend!

Lake Anna: Contributed by C. C. McCotter, McCotter's Lake Anna Guide Service, (540) 894-9144. As we slip into the latter part of summer, longer nights and shorter days will combine to lower water temperatures on Lake Anna and trigger bass, striper and, eventually, crappie to school up and feed heavily. Water temperatures throughout the lake have dropped into the mid 80s after heavy rains in early August. An outage at the North Anna plant will drop temperatures at Dike III, too. Here's what you can expect on your next visit.

Largemouth Bass: Fish are schooled and feeding in the early morning and late evening throughout the lake. Any other time, you'll have to pursue them on brush, docks or rocks using drop shot, shakey worm or crankbait. If you are looking for schooling fish, consider fishing main lake points like those in the Big Ben Flats area, near the Rt. 208 Bridge, around Dike III and the Splits. Anywhere you see baitfish in large schools, you could find schooled bass. At some point, these schools will move into creeks like Plentiful, Ware, Pigeon, Marshall, Levi and others. Try a 3 in. grub when the fish are on the main lake and switch over to a 1/8-oz. Tiger Shad spinnerbait or small crankbait when they move into the creeks. The upper portion of both the North Anna and Pamunkey Branch will begin to attract gizzard shad in the plankton-rich shallows and some bigger bass will follow them. Keep this in mind if you are looking for a bigger bite.

Striped Bass: Now is the time when hundreds of mini-stripers are schooled and breaking on the surface throughout the day. Pursuing them is maddening because they are small and feeding on tiny threadfin shad. You can jig Toothache spoons (the herring version) under them, but I recommend you avoid these "hail storms" and seek out bigger bait and bigger stripers. The better stripers have moved above the bridges in all areas of the lake in search of bigger food like herring and gizzard shad. Sea gulls have arrived in the upper North Anna around Sunning Island. And that means stripers are there, too. Terns are at Dike III, so the little fish are there. Make your decision as to what you want, big or little fish, and head north or south from the marinas. Expect good breaking action in the evenings by the end of the month, perhaps from The Splits to the first two bridges, but it appears most of the action might be up lake this year. The Dike III action won't produce many keepers until the fall.

Crappie: Some activity on up lake bridge pilings this month. The better fishing will begin in September around the up lake docks.

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.