Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries fishing report 8-8

[Fishing Report]

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!

Recently I was able to have a conversation with the winner of the Bassmaster Open on the James River that earned Williamsburg angler, Kelly Pratt, and automatic berth into the coveted Bassmaster Classic. Kelly and I discussed his victory, the techniques he used and the fishing opportunities on the Chickahominy River.

VA Angler Kelly Pratt Earns Bassmaster Classic Berth

The Bassmaster Northern Open Series visited Richmond, VA on July 7-9 for a tournament on the James River. Superstar pros and locals alike entered the tournament with aspirations of victory and an opportunity to fish in the Super Bowl of bass tournaments, the Bassmaster Classic. With the new "win and your in" format where the winner receives an automatic entry to the Classic, the stakes are high at each tournament. Kelly Pratt, a local pro and experienced Chickahominy River angler from Williamsburg led the event wire to wire to take home the trophy, over $50,000 in winnings and solidify a spot in the World Championship of bass fishing.

When Kelly saw that the first tournament of the division was on the James River he new he wanted to enter the trail. "Anytime a big tournament comes to the river, I want to be in it." Kelly remarks. He was successful at tournaments at this level 10 years ago and wanted to try them again and what a perfect opportunity with the opener on the James, giving him a chance to fish his favorite place, a tributary of the James, the Chickahominy River.

Kelly did not spend much time on the river pre-fishing or during the official practice time. He felt confident about his fishing strategy, time of year and the conditions. He also did not want anyone to see him fishing his best places! He was surprised to be leading with 16-06 lbs. on the first day and with an abundance of rain and deteriorating river conditions his follow up stringers of 13-13 and 12-03 gave him comfortable victory margin of 5 pounds. When he boated back to back 3 and 4 pounders between 10-11:00 on the last day he felt confident about his chances to win although he didn't let himself "feel it" until it came to his turn at the weigh-in when he knew he only needed 6 pounds to win.

"I never thought I would ever have a chance to go to the Classic in my life and I haven't thought about it too much. It really hasn't hit me yet, if it did, I probably would have a hard time thinking about anything else," says Kelly. He has 2 remaining tournaments in the Northern Division and the Classic is set for February on the Red River in Louisiana. "I would like to go down and pre-fish around Thanksgiving, ride around and learn the river before the official cut-off on December 12th." Certainly Kelly's river fishing experience and skills will pay off at the world championship.

Kelly's primary lure for the tournament was a Zoom Finesse Worm in Green Pumpkin or Junebug colors rigged with a 1/8 oz. Slider jighead. Because of the rain and the cool water conditions he focused on shallow water of about 2 ft. deep. "When the water cools down in the summer, the bigger fish move out of the deeper water and go shallow." Kelly says that understanding the tides, being patient, knowing where the fish would be based on the current weather conditions and that the bigger fish would be feeding on crabs where all keys to his victory.

Kelly says the Chickahominy is the best it has been in over 20 years and encourages folks to get out and enjoy the river, but take care of it. "The fishing is good all year round. Bass fishing is great spring through fall, the wintertime Yellow Perch and Crappie fishing is phenomenal and there are huge Blue Catfish in the river as well."

Kelly offered some tips for those wanting to try there hand at bass fishing on the "Chick" this summer. "Pick one part of the river and learn it. If you like to fish pads and grass fish the upper half of the river, but if you prefer fishing wood – concentrate on the lower part." Kelly recommends using topwater frogs around the pads and a finesse worm on a Slider head or Texas rigged around wood. He also says to rig up a Rebel Pop-R and fish it slow, "pop-it and let it sit, pop-it and let it sit." The topwater bite is good during low light conditions, but it is great at low tide even if it is bright and sunny.

The experience of winning the tournament has been a great one for Kelly. He was getting 40 calls a day from well wishers. "I had no idea that many people were rooting for me. Everyone is congratulating me for the win and wishing me good luck at the Classic and other pros like Chris Daves and Mike Hicks congratulating me at the weigh in – I really appreciate that." The experience was also good for Kelly's co-anglers; they all caught their limit. "My second day partner was from Poland and he blanked the 1st day, when he caught his first fish he was so excited because he could go up on the weigh-in stage and when he caught his limit he was jumping up and down!"

Kelly was quick to recognize Richard Addy and Charlie Reed at Mare's Marine and Rick Pierce of Bass Cat Boats for their support and helping him to get in the tournament. Kelly says all the river baits are available at one of his favorite hangouts; Hookers Bait and Tackle in Williamsburg on route 60. "Call the store before you go fishing to get the latest fishing information for the river."
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 Summer! 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.

Region 1 - Tidewater

Little Creek Reservoir: Contributed by Park Concessionaire Diane Priestley, (757) 566-2277, hhhatlcr@aol.com. Lots of small bass are being caught but the larger ones are coming from 15 to 20 ft. Drop shoting is your best bet with green or brown lures working well. The pan fish are biting, and around 8 to10 ft. is the spot to find larger fish. Wigglers caught most of the fish last week, with jigs coming in 2nd. Some very nice cats were caught live gills, cut bait and crawlers. Stripers are responding very well to live herring. You might also try trolling deep running crankbaits. The water temperature is at 90 degrees with a visibility of 18 ft.

Beaverdam Reservoir: (804) 693-2107, www.gloucesterva.info. Contributed by Park Supervisor Blair Evans. The Dog Days of summer are upon us and it seems that the heat has slowed the fishing down some. The best fishing is going to be in the cooler deep water. Anglers fishing the deep water can expect to catch bass and catfish. Those fishing the shallow water can expect to catch bluegill and other sunfish. There have been no notable catches in the past week. The water is 86 degrees and at full pool, and slightly stained.

Come take advantage of the cooler temperatures and enjoy prime cat fishing conditions this Friday night August the 12th. The main entrance of the park will be open till midnight. For more information, call the park at (804) 693-2107. Park Hours Now through 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. Flounder can be found at Buoy 42 and the cell. They will take large minnows or squid, but most that are landed are too small to keep. The water is clear and in the low 80s.

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 action is good. Try plastic worms at the edge of grassy areas. No word on crappie. The cat bite has really picked up, some big ones are going for eel. No word on bluegill. The water is clear and 89 degrees.

North Landing River and Back Bay: West Neck Marina (757) 426-6735. Dewey Mullins says that despite the heat, the bass bite is fine. Top-waters are your best bet early and late. During the day try deep running cranks or soft plastics in a dark color. No word on crappie or cats. White perch are plentiful and will take night crawlers, minnows, sand small jigs and spinners. Some stripers are traveling with the perch and will take the bait intended for the smaller fish. Lots of bluegill are being brought up on red wigglers, crickets or popping bugs. Some 1 lb. lunkers have been fooled. The water is clear and in the mid to high 80s.

Norfolk Lakes: Dasheill's Show Room (757) 539-7854. Drew Dixon reports good bass action. Top-waters early and late have been successful, as have cranks and plastics during the day. Crappie are not being very cooperative, but some have come in on the traditional minnows and jigs. Lots of cats are going for cut bait. The bluegill bite is "fair", with red wigglers and crickets being the baits of choice. The water is clear and in the mid 80s.

Blackwater and Nottoway: By Riverkeeper Jeff Turner www.blackwaternottoway.com. I spent the 4th through the 6th on the Blackwater around Franklin. The water was normal and 83 degrees. I kinda rolled two events into this patrol. I took a bunch of kids from the Paul D. Camp Community College program called "Kids College" on an Eco-Cruise the first day. Even though the wildlife did not cooperate too well, I think they had a decent two hour tour. At least they got to see a couple of really nice red-bellied water snakes, some turtles and few great blue herring. After I did the Eco-Cruise I went on with my usual three day patrol. Fishing was not hitting on much. I caught a big two pound shell cracker and a big speckle really quick. That was enough for catfish bait for the next two nights so I did not fish anymore for sunfish. I guess I should have stayed with the Rebel cricket. I then switched to bass fishing and that was just bad. Though I must admit I did not try very hard as it was so hot. I did not even try different lures, I just stayed with top-water and only caught two little bass. Catfishing those two nights was not great either. I only caught two small cats the first night and NONE the next. That's pretty bad, especially since the first night I really was not all that attentive. At City of Franklin's Barretes Landing they were having their weekly "We Be Jammin'" on the waterfront there and had a great band playing. So I hung around there checking out all the non-indigenes wildlife while kinda catfishing. That's a great place to go by boat to have a great time. The VDGIF boat landing is right there in sight of the place and with such a nice facility it is really easy to put in and take out at night. Anyway, I had a great trip and hopefully we will get some more rain soon to spark up the fish.

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.



Upper and Lower Tidal James: Local Guide, Captain Mike Hoke, Life's Revenge Guide Service, (804) 357-8518. Captain Mike says that bass in the upper tidal James are going for cranks and soft plastic tubes and worms (chartreuse and watermelon). Crappie are at the major creek heads and will take minnows and jigs, especially in chartreuse or white. Catfishing is okay; try suspending live bream about 12 or 15 deep, as fishing the bottom all too often results in your providing a free buffet for crabs. Local gar are biting well on minnows. The water is fairly clear and 85 degrees in Richmond, 90 degrees at Dutch Gap.

Region 2 - Southside

Nottoway Falls: Contributed by our man in the boat Willard A. Mayes. Welcome back, Willard! The way I had it figured was if I went to an out of the way lake the doctors would not know anything about it, so Nottoway Falls was in my plans. Headed out to old blue and first thing I noticed was that the last person to drive old blue left the windows down and the seat was wet from the rain. Not the first time my butt has been wet so I backed the truck up to hook up boat and the boat must have tried to go fishing without me, as it had rolled off the pad. I had the tongue jack on and it was 3 inches in the ground and would not come high enough to get the truck under it. I finally got hooked up and headed to the lake at 9:45 to find that the 6 inches of rain had washed lot of the hill onto the ramp, now after everything I had gone through, I was going to go fishing so I had to jerk the trailer from under the boat and was on the water by 11:00 a.m., wondering just how I was going to get the boat back on the trailer later. The water was very warm and brown stained with visibility to about a foot so I thought I would fish in the deeper water between the old RR bridge and the dam. I got one hand size blue gill about 4 ft. down until I cast toward the shore line and an old stump in about 4 feet of water and got into a school of crappie. I caught about the limit of 8 to 10 inch crappie before I thought it was time to go in search of bigger and better fish. I fished up the lake around the channel and toward the shore line catching 9 bass, two 12 in, two 10 in, three 8 in and 2 six inch I also caught 24 more crappie from 8 to 10 inch for a total of 49 and 10 blue gill hand size down to 4 inches. Since I was fishing deeper I switched from my 1/32 oz to 1/16 oz lead head because the crappie wanted a fast retrieve and if you got it too fast you ended up with a bass. The inch and half purple and chartreuse worked the best. The best gift of the day was when DGIF showed up and cleaned all the dirt off the ramp with back hoe and I did not have any trouble loading the boat that evening.

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 has gotten low. I'm not sure how these storms are going to affect it. Hopefully it will bump it up a little and bring the water temperature down a few degrees. Fishing continues to be good. Fly anglers are having success with poppers and streamers. Conventional anglers using soft plastics and some type of top water offering (Tiny Torps-Skitter Pops) are seeing quality smallmouth brought to the net. Look for the fish along a shaded bank with good flow and depth. Don't spend too much time in unproductive water. After a couple casts without success move on until you find a fish. Once you find one stick around as we have been catching a few more in the same location.

Kerr Reservoir: Bob Cat's Lake Country Store, (434) 374-8381. Bobby Whitlow says that things have slowed due to the hot weather, but some anglers have fooled a few fish. Bass are going for cranks and Carolina rigs. The night bite is good for crappie, with some up to 3 ¼ lbs. coming in. Jigs are your best bet for these fat slabs. Cat action is "decent" with bream, crappie, goldfish and jumbo shiners being good choices. Some bream can be found around ripraps and bridge pilings, try red wigglers. The water is fairly clear and 85 to 90 degrees.

James at Lynchburg: Angler's Lane, (434) 385-0200. Ruby Barrett reports that rainbows and browns are going for Shenandoah Blue Poppers. No word on brookies. The water is in the high 70s and clear.

Lake Gaston: Holly Grove Marina, (434) 636-3455. Craig Karpinski says that bass action is good. Try top-waters early and late. During the day go deep with Carolina rigged lizards. The crappie bite is slow, with the fish holding at around 8 to 10 feet down; but you may get lucky with a minnow or a jig. Cats are being very cooperative of late and are taking chicken livers, clam snouts and stinkbaits. During the night hours, fish these baits 3 to 8 feet down; fish along the bottom during the day. Bluegill are biting well on red wigglers and small spinners. The water is fairly clear and 86 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 continues to be mixed and this past weekend the night fishing proved to be about as challenging as it has been all summer. The tournaments both Friday and Saturday night each fielded over 20 boats and less than a third of the competitors weighed fish at the conclusion of the events. Large worms, like the 10 inch ribbon and G-tails along with large lizards, are still producing bass in open water during the day and at night. Good fishing areas include steep points, the sides of deep water humps and natural rock bluffs. Colors like green pumpkin and watermelon red, are working in the day. Darker colors like black with blue and black with red flake, junebug and red shad are good choices at night. When fishing submerged brush, straight tail worms tend to hang up less often and are a good choice.

There continue to be largemouth bass caught under deepwater docks, especially those found on steep shorelines and deep-water bluffs. Anglers continue to use shakey head jigs and drop shot rigs to probe docks for these fish. Pig and jigs, jigs with plastic trailers and heavy shakey head jigs with finesse plastics are good choices for bass in deep water, especially those suspended off the sides of submerged, river channels and natural rock bluffs. Wacky rigged plastic worms and Senko's continue to work, but many are fishing them on weighted jigheads, like the ZAPPU and Falcon "K" Wacky hooks, when in deeper water. Deep diving crankbaits are also working in the daytime and at night. Shad and lighter shades are preferred in the day and darker colors at night.

Stripers: Fish continue to be found in large schools near the mouths of major creeks in the middle and lower sections of the lake. Large schools of stripers are also being reported down near the dam and Bull Run. Several 12 to 16 pound stripers were caught last week near Gills Creek on the Blackwater side and near Becky's and Betty's Creek on the Roanoke side. Stripers continue to be found and caught using good electronics anywhere from 15 to 75 feet below the surface. While most of the stripers are being caught on live bait rigged on downlines, there are anglers successfully jigging with spoons and flukes rigged on heavy custom jigheads. Smaller alewives continue to be the live bait of choice. Using downsized fluorocarbon leaders, smaller hooks and target beads will significantly increase the number of stripers caught this time of year when they are keying on the smaller bait.

The last scheduled "Fishing Basics" workshop for 2011 will be held this Thursday evening from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. This workshop is a great refresher for those who may have been away from fishing for a while and a good introductory class for those who want to learn about the fish found in Smith Mountain Lake and the different types of tackle and lures used to catch them. It includes hands on exercises on how to rig and fish with artificial and live bait. The cost is $20, seating is limited and advance reservations are required. For more information go to my website. Tight lines.

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.

Bass: Fishing is getting tougher with each increase in the temperature. There is a decent early morning and late evening top water bite with Lobina Lures Rico popper working well. Once the sun gets up, the fishing gets tougher. The hydrilla is starting to grow and fishing reaction baits like a chatterbait over the hydrilla will produce a bite or two. Drop shotting a 4 ½" Roboworm is the best way to finesse the finicky bass with the top colors being Oxblood Light Red Flake, Martins Madness, and Prizm Krawler. After dark the action picks back up a little with a black/blue chatterbait or a dark colored Jolt spinnerbait being the best lure choices. Last week's Tuesday night tournament was won by Larry & Wayne Armbrister with a 5 fish limit weighing 10.22lbs.Second place went to Dale Reynolds with 7.87lbs. Big Largemouth was 3.53lbs and was a tie between the teams of Larry & Wayne Armbrister and Jason Adams & Chris "Bubba" Lewis. Dale Reynolds had a 1.73lb smallmouth to take the big smallmouth honor. The Rock House Marina has a Tuesday night tournament every Tuesday from 6:30p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Striper: There is a little bit of schooling activity at day break. After the sun gets up, try trolling an umbrella rig in deep water. The key is finding the suspended bait on your depth finder.

Catfish: The cats are starting to turn on. Peak creek is has produced some good size and good numbers lately. Bottom fishing with live shad is the best technique.

Crappie/Yellow Perch: They have moved to their summer hideouts and are hard to find. Haven't heard anything on either species.

Bluegill/Panfish: Bluegill are plentiful in the back of coves around any docks or laydown trees. A night crawler is the best choice.

Water temperature is in the mid 80s and clear.

Lower New River: Big Z'S (540) 639-1651. John Zienius says that action is best early and late or at night. Smallmouths are going for Jolt spinners and Gitzits. Muskies "will hit anything", and are often landed by unwary bass anglers. The water is clear, low and in the high 80s.

New River: Tangent Outfitters, (540) 257-0415. Shawn Hash reports that the smallmouth action up there is excellent. Soft plastics in almost any color will get results. Muskie are not as active, but will go for cranks. The water is clear and in the upper 70s.

Upper New River: Contributed by Captain Forest Pressnell, (540) 818-5274, New River Charter. The Upper New has had a little better water conditions as of late. Some days it is almost green again, which is a welcome sight, but on the other hand the brutal heat has made the water temperature soar. Fish are lethargic in these conditions but the smallie bite has been good early and late and at night, we even landed some nice size bronzebacks in the middle of the day last week on top-water lures. Muskie are inactive in this hot water so look for the occasional hit on glide baits or top-water, again early a.m., late evening or night. Catfish reports are good at night on cut bait or live bait for the flatheads but remember to make sure your live bait is legal. Walleye fishing has been slow. Water temperature is 80 degrees so handle all fish carefully and release them as quickly as possible. This year's New River clean up is scheduled for Sat. September 17, at Foster Falls Park so get it on your calendar.

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. Master of all things fly, Harry Murray told me that the smallmouth streams are providing good fishing just now. Water levels are dropping rapidly, thus producing "wary conditions". Translation: the fish can see you too, so try and sneak up on them and approach cautiously. The best areas in the North Fork are from Edinburg to Strausburg. In the South, it's from Luray to Front Royal. Good flies are: Murray's Olive Road Kill Nymph, size 8; Murray's Dry Cicada, size 8; and Murray's Magnum Creek Chub, size 4. The water is low, clear and from 81 to 83 degrees.

The stocked streams in the valley are also giving good action now; with the best being in the stretches below the large springs. Dawn and dusk are the best times to fish. Good flies are: Murray's Olive Caddis Pupa, size 14; Murray's Betsy Streamer, size12; and Murray's Cranefly Larva, size 12. The water is clear, low and 78 to 81 degrees.

The mountain streams are low, but if you are cautions and use a 2 or 3 weight rod with a 7X leader, you can land a brookie. Good flies are: Mr. Rapidan Ant, size 18; Murray's Flying Beetle, size 18; and Murray's Housefly, size 16. The water is low, clear and 65 degrees.

Lake Moomaw: Contributed by local anger Bill Uzzell. There has been a slight uptick for the daytime bass fishing. With air temperatures down a little bit the bass seem to have responded a little bit. Deep structure and drop offs are finally holding some fish willing to take a variety of plastic baits. There is still no solid top water action. A few pickerel are also being landed. The night bite is still consistent for both smallmouth and largemouth bass. There is still no word on a consistent trout bite. The lake level is about 8 in. below normal pool. The lake is dropping consistently with about 59 cfs coming in and about 275 cfs being released. So boaters beware, the area you traveled through last week may be hazardous this week. Take extra care while navigating.

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) The dog days of summer are upon us with the associated slowdown in the middle of the day. While the hard-core amongst us, myself included, refuse to leave the water until forced by hunger, darkness or dirty looks from a spouse, recognize that you must change strategy when the fireball is high in the sky. For those who insist on acting like "mad dogs and Englishmen" and venture into the noon day sun, look for fish in the cool spots in deep holes, particularly deep, shaded holes. The only fish crazy enough to stick to the hot center are the sunfish. The Rapidan and Rappahannock are both running far, far below seasonal norms – even below the 25th percentile. While this forces the fish to the deep water, it means anglers will exert more effort to walk to those locations. Don't put a canoe or kayak on the river unless you plan on doing a significant amount of hiking because you will have to drag your boat across many shallow spots. The mountain trout streams are in bad shape right now as well. Flows are low and the temperature is rising. Don't fish the Blue Ridge until after a significant rain.

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.

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.