Virginia VDGIF fishing report 2-9

[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.

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 2012 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 2012.
Moratorium on River Herring Fishing Now in Effect

On January 1, 2012, a moratorium on River Herring fishing went into effect. The VA Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) states that the purposes of the moratorium are to rebuild the Virginia stocks of River Herring and to comply with the requirements of the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Shad and River Herring. It is unlawful for any person to possess any river herring in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Fishermen that traditionally fish for river herring with hook and line, dip nets, cast nets, gill nets or any other gear should be aware of this fishing closure and not purchase a gear license if they were only interested in fishing for river herring.

For more info on the regulation establishing the moratorium visit the VMRC website.
Supplemental Largemouth Bass Stockings Planned for Back Bay

DGIF working to restore top trophy bass fishery

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) will initiate a three-year largemouth bass stocking project in Back Bay, beginning in late May of 2012. An experimental stocking of approximately 75,000 surplus largemouth bass fingerlings was initiated in 2009. It is through the post-stocking sampling, results, and ultimate success of that project that DGIF was able to justify a large-scale stocking that will attempt to improve, and ultimately aid in restoration of, the largemouth bass fishery Back Bay.

An official stocking request has been made to American Sportfish Hatchery (ASH) in Alabama for approximately 125,000 fingerling (1-2 inches long) largemouth bass that will be stocked in Back Bay in late May of this year. These bass will be F-1 hybrids, a cross between the northern strain largemouth bass and the Florida strain largemouth bass. Both strains are the same genus and species of largemouth bass, with just a slight variation due to temperature and climate.

DGIF does not have any concerns with stocking these bass in Back Bay, primarily due to the fact that nearly 100% of the bass in the mid-Atlantic are hybrids to some degree. Pure strains of largemouth bass simply do not exist in the mid-Atlantic, east of the Mississippi River, as largemouth bass are not native fish to the mid-Atlantic or even east of the Mississippi, excluding some regions of Florida. As with the previous stockings, these fingerlings will be chemically marked to allow DGIF staff to track their movement, survival, and distribution within the bay.

Back Bay was noted in the late 1970s as one of the top trophy bass fisheries in the nation. This outstanding bass fishery peaked in 1980, when 240 citation-sized largemouth bass (bass that weighed at least eight pounds) were reported to be caught in the bay. In recent years, Back Bay has undergone a tremendous recovery in terms of water quality and the growth of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). The growth and coverage of SAV is near levels not seen since the early 1980's, and the fisheries populations have shown a positive response to this increased and improved habitat. In the near future, DGIF staff will be sending out additional updates on the actual stocking timeline.
Do You Use a Wildlife Management Area or Fishing Lake?

New Facilities Access Permit Required in 2012

Effective January 1, 2012, a Facility Access Permit will be required when using any Department-owned Wildlife Management Area or Fishing Lake not located on Department Wildlife Management Areas. Such permit shall not be required for any person holding a valid hunting, fishing or trapping license or a current certificate of boat registration issued by the Department or persons 16 years of age or younger. The Facility Access Permit requirement does not apply to Department- owned boat ramps on Department-owned Wildlife Management Areas or fishing lakes, and segments of the Appalachian Trail on Department- owned land. The Facility Access Permit fee is $ 4 for a daily permit or $23 for an annual permit. The Facility Access Permit may be purchased online or at any license agent.

For more information, visit the Access Permit section on our webpage.
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!

New State Record Striper

It is Friday evening at the Fishing Expo and the event is buzzing with people as the after-work crowd makes their way through the numerous exhibits. As I walk towards the DGIF booth I notice Les Gray, the host of the show, walking quickly and scanning around looking for someone. We make eye contact and I realize I am the one he is trying to find! He excitedly tells me a new state record Striper has been caught today and they will be bringing the massive fish to display at the show for Saturday and Sunday. He knew we were planning on conducting our radio broadcast segment on "The Weekend" with Anthony Oppermann live from the show the next morning. He wanted to get the news to me so we could air it on the program.

Saturday morning arrived and so did the largest Striper ever caught on record in Virginia waters. A large enough cooler could not be found so a feeding trough was purchased to hold the fish on ice for Expo patrons to view. The fish instantly became the hot spot of the show as folks crowded around to catch a glimpse. Envious anglers posed around the fish as camera phones snapped and flashed like the paparazzi surrounding a Hollywood star. This fish became an instant celebrity as I imagine thousands of photos were emailed and posted on social network sites and blogs.

As Sunday evening approached and the show was winding down, Cary Wolfe arrived to claim his catch and take it home. Cary is from Manassas, VA and scheduled the fishing trip just a week before with his father and brother-in-law. They went out of Long Bay Pointe Marina in Virginia Beach aboard the "Bada Bing" captained by Tim Cannon. The fishing was slow that day with the only bite coming from a dog shark when Cannon got word that there was a bite taking place off of Cape Henry. They immediately left and headed for the new fishing spot and a place in the record books as fate would have it.

As they trolled 2 white parachute rigs; the rod closest to Wolfe went down and the battle was on. Wolfe said the fish didn't do a lot of head shaking or make any runs, but it was more like reeling in a heavy pole. But the catch wasn't without any excitement and drama. At one point the line went slack and then tightened up again. They theorized that the fish was hooked in the throat and became dislodged and re-hooked on the edge of the mouth. Once the fish got to the boat they realized it was too large for the net and as they attempted to get her head in the net the line snapped! Fortunately the fish's head slipped down into the net before escaping back into the chilly waters.

The anglers new it was a big fish but did not realize they were in possession of the new state record. In fact they continued to fish and caught one more Striper about 25 pounds before calling it a day. When they returned to the dock and weighed the fish it was a huge surprise to find that he had just broken the record. A Virginia Marine Resources official arrived and certified the weight and once approved it will be declared the new state record. Consider this as you book a trip next Striper season; the next record holder could be you!

Listen for "The Weekly Wildlife Segment" with Chris Dunnavant, Saturdays, 9-11 am during the "The Weekend" with Anthony Oppermann on Richmond Sports Radio 910 – WRNL –AM. Listen to the latest or past segments on the YouTube channel, theopps83.
Complementary Work Force Volunteers Staff Exhibit at Bass and Saltwater Expo

Fifteen VDGIF Complementary Work Force (CWF) volunteers worked the Outdoor Report (ODR) booth at the three day Bass and Saltwater Expo held at the Meadow Event Park in Doswell January 20-22. The volunteers handed out over 500 flyers encouraging people to sign-up for the Outdoor Report. If the constituents were already receiving the ODR, they were requested to complete a Reader Satisfaction Questionnaire. As subscribers to the ODR have grown to over 34,000 readers, more than 70 Reader Satisfaction Questionnaires were collected. The volunteers answered questions from the public, directed them to the main VDGIF booth staffed by Fisheries Biologists and Law Enforcement Officers, and handed out additional information pertaining to fishing regulations, events and skill building workshops.
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

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. It is early February and the fish are biting. The water is 48 degrees and the visibility is a nice 16 ft. at mid lake. Bass were caught up to 4 lbs. last week. They are still moving up to the grass line on these sunny days, by the afternoon deep jerk baits are working. Crappie were caught in good numbers by a couple of fishermen in 12 to 15 ft. of water, but they were spread out along the grass line, not in tight bunches. This will change as the month moves on and they get ready to bed. We had a 20 in. walleye, tagged # 369, which was released at the dock.

Beaverdam Reservoir: Contributed by Eddie Hester, (804) 693-2107. Fishing at Beaverdam has been excellent this week! The weather was mild most of the week, bringing lots of anglers to the Park. Most anglers were having good success catching bass, crappie and chain pickerel. Live minnows were producing most of the fish. Visitors fishing from the Park fishing pier were catching some nice stringers of fish. Joe Byrum of Gloucester Point weighed in a 2 lb. 8 oz. crappie and had several others. Wendy Johnson of Poquoson Va. hauled in a bass that tipped the scales at 6 lbs. 8 oz. and was 22 ½ inches long. Both of these fish were caught while fishing off the fishing pier. The water is at full pool, slightly stained and 46 degrees.

Beaverdam will host the first Big Bash series Tournament March 17, 2012. For more information, visit our website or call the Park Ranger Station at (804) 693-2107. Happy fishing.

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. No report this edition.

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

Chickahominy River: River's Rest (804) 829-2753. Alton Williams reports that since no one has been out fishing lately, he has no information. The water is slightly stained and 40 degrees.

Chickahominy Lake: Contributed by our new reporter, Captain Art Conway of Conway's River Rat Guide Service, (804) 746-2475 out of Ed Allen's Boats and Bait. Chickahominy Lake mid day water temperatures were in the mid to high 40s in the lower and upper lake and in the high 40s in the major creeks last week on. The lake level was a little less than a foot above the top of the dam. The water was dark and a little cloudy, but not muddy, in the lower lake. Bass, a few pickerel, bowfin, and blue cats were scattered in the winter holes and deep channels, especially in the lower lake, and were hitting blade baits and live minnows. A few crappie were still in some of the winter holes, especially up the lake, and were hitting blade baits and minnows. Some crappie, bass, and bowfin were in the channels in major creeks and were hitting trolled live minnows. Fishing with Captain Conway, Captain Bill Buck had 7 crappie, 2 bowfin, 1 blue cat, and 3 bass. Malcolm Turnbull had a citation yellow perch, a crappie, and 2 bass.

North Landing River and Back Bay: West Neck Marina (757) 426-6735. Dewey Mullins told me that the bass bite is very good just now. Try live minnows, spinners and cranks. Crappie are starting to arrive on the scene, with a few lunkers being brought in. Minnows and jigs or small spinners are your best bet. No word on cats; they are out there, but no one has been fishing for them. White and yellow perch action is hot. Try minnows for yellow perch, night crawlers for white, and small spinners for both. Some good stripers have been landed. Not many folks seeking bluegills have been out, but there are lots of the little fish to get. To land your bluegill, use small worms, beetlespins, or a top-water fly. The water is in the low 40s and clear.

Norfolk Lakes: Dasheill's Show Room (757) 539-7854. Drew Dixon says lots of bass are coming in on jigs and plastics. Crappie action is also good, try the traditional minnows and jigs. Cats are hitting well on cut bait. Some yellow perch are going for minnows. The water is in the low 50s and clear.

Blackwater and Nottoway: By Riverkeeper Jeff Turner www.blackwaternottoway.com. Spirit of Moonpie and I spent the 30th through the 1st on the Blackwater below Franklin. The water was clear and 47 degrees. Air temperatures ranged from 43 to 70 degrees. Yes, it was pretty nice weather right up until it started raining on me Wednesday night. Trash on this trip was not too bad; I only picked up a live-well full. I put the trash in that because I could not catch any fish to put in there. Actually I did catch three largemouth, two of which were nice two-pounders. All were caught with a Smithwick Rogue. I also fished for yellow perch, speckle, stripers and blackfish and did not have a hit. So pretty weather does not make good fishing. I hear stripers are being caught, but not by me. It shouldn't be long before we start seeing some shad.

Real sportsmen aren't litterbugs... I found where some thoughtless duck hunters had gone onshore at a spot upriver from the bridge and left a mess. Empty shotgun shells and cigarette butts littered the little peninsula they were on. Please, don't leave your shell casings and other trash in or on the river. You brought it, please take it with you when you leave!

Upper and Lower Tidal James: Local Guide, Captain Mike Hoke, Life's Revenge Guide Service, (804) 357-8518. Captain Mike says that the cat action is hot with cut eel or shad. Right now they are still around Hopewell, but should be moving upstream soon. Crappie fishing is good in the tidal creeks and barge pits, try minnows and jigs. The water is stained, rising and 50 degrees.

Upper and Lower Tidal James: Contributed by Capt. Mike Ostrander, James River Fishing School, Discover the James, (804) 938-2350. No report this edition.

Region 2 - Southside

Nottoway Falls: Contributed by our man in the boat Willard A. Mayes. I was on the water at Nottoway Falls at 11:15, with the intention of fishing between the old Virginia Rail Road Bridge to the spillway, all day. The water was slightly muddy and only clear to about a foot and cold. The wind was blowing toward the spillway so I would allow the boat to drift and fish in all directions as I drifted and then do it all over again. I started catching 8 to 10 inch crappie all over the place in the deeper water. Only caught two in the same area and, as all fishermen, I just had to try out the other side toward the flats because you always think they are biting just a little farther up, but I only caught two on the upper side of the old bridge. I had the boat back on the trailer by 4:30 and headed home with thirteen fish. I fished lots of colors but only caught fish on my favorite purple twister and 1/32 lead head and two on the purple, pink with the yellow tail.

Lake Gordon: Contributed by our man in the boat Willard A. Mayes. The TV promised the temperature would be 70 degrees, so there was no way I could work in that heat, so I thought it was time to see if I could find any fish in Lake Gordon again. I got to the lake around 11:30 to find the level a foot above normal and the water going around the spill way. Seems the leaves and sticks has formed a nice filter around the drain. The wind was blowing straight up the lake so I just drifted with at fishing along the way and caught two 8 inch crappie in the deep water between 6 and 8 feet. I drifted all the way down to the power line and did not catch any fish beyond the first cove on the right. I fished back up to within 100 yards of the dam and caught one 15 inch bass around where the 2 x 4 sticks out the water. I started catching some more crappie between the dam and the first cove for a total of 13 crappie and one white perch on nothing but the purple 2 inch twister tail and 1/32 weight lead head. I fished with pumpkin seed, chartreuse, green and brown as well as a purple, pink with yellow tail but the only thing the fish found tasty was the purple twister that I have only been able to find at Dances Sporting Goods in South Park Mall. All the crappie were between 7 and 9 inches and only two at 7 inches. I guess there are a few fish left after the lake lost most of the water.

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 weather the past couple weeks has seen the fishing pick up. Anglers going for smallmouth have had success by using pig & jigs, tubes, creature style soft plastics and slow rolled spinnerbaits. Fly anglers using CK Clawdads, Rhodes' Rattle-n-Claws and Trow Tube Fly have also seen fish boated. Watch the weather and try to be on the water after 3 to 4 days of warm weather.

Kerr Reservoir: Bob Cat's Lake Country Store, (434) 374-8381. Brandon Gray reports that bass are really hitting cranks and rattletraps. Crappie are going for minnows trolled in the creeks. The cat bite is "decent" with cut bait, shad and crappie fillets. No word on perch. A few stripers have been landed on bucktails or trolling with live bait. The water is stained to clear and 47 to 51 degrees.

James at Lynchburg: Angler's Lane, (434) 385-0200. Tom Reisdorf reports that the smallmouth are not being very cooperative, but some big ones have come in on crayfish imitations. Not much word on rainbows or browns. Brookie fishing is very good; try Blue Wing Olive, size 16 or Black Caddis, size 14. Some muskies are being fooled by large baitfish patterns. The water is clear and in the 40s.

Lake Gaston: Holly Grove Marina, (434) 636-3455. The marina is closed for the season. It will reopen in February. The gas pumps will work with a credit card. Boats are still available for rental, just call ahead and leave a message.

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: Overall fishing on the lake continues to be good and the mild weather has many anglers out enjoying it. Bass fishing is no exception. Local reports and recent tournament results indicate good numbers and quality bass are being caught. When largemouth are found feeding on shad, a variety of baitfish imitating lures including crankbaits, swimbaits, heavy spinner baits and flukes are being used successfully. While many bass are still being found in relatively shallow water where crankbaits and lightweight jigs are working, a number are also being found off the sides of points and humps. Deep diving suspending jerkbaits and drop shot rigged plastics are both good choices on points. The jerkbait bite should continue and might even improve as the water temperature drops. Carolina rigged plastics are also working on points and the edges of natural creek channels. Bass found deep near natural rock are also being caught on ½ and ¾ ounce football head pig & jigs. Deep water bass are also being caught by anglers vertically jigging with Hopkins, Kastmaster and Berry jigging spoons.

The Winter Weekend Bass Tournament Series is being held every Saturday morning at the State Park boat ramp from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. This popular series is currently scheduled to continue through the second weekend in February. This past weekend the team of Danny and Trevor Towe won the event with total weight of 19 lbs. 3 oz. They also claimed big fish honors with a bass weighing 4 lb. 7 oz. Tournament Director Phillip VanDerVeer teamed up with Chris Lucas to take second place honors with a total weight of 17 lb. 13 oz. Third place in this past Saturday's tournament went to the team of James Jordan and Douglas Eubanks when they brought a total weight of 8 lb. 5oz. to the scale. The team of Jim McCullough and Ronnie Lemons won the previous week's tournament with a total weight of 21 lbs. 9 oz. The team of Travis Towe and Danny Towe took second place honors in this event with a total weight of 18 lbs. Mark McFadden and Matt Kluender teamed up to bring a bag weighing 12 lb. 12 oz. to the scale and earn third place in this tournament while Danny Moles of Vinton caught the tournament lunker, a beautiful largemouth bass that weighed 5 lbs. 12 oz. If you desire more information about this series, I encourage you to contact Tournament Director Phillip VanDerveer by email (bassin0125@gmail.com) or by stopping by his business, Jiffy Automotive Service (540-344-7281) in Vinton.

Stripers: Fishing continues to be mixed, but most anglers who get out early are reporting success watching and fishing around seagulls, especially in the middle and upper sections of the lake. Seagulls are one of the best fish finders around the lake this time of year. When you see a concentration of gulls diving and picking up bait on the surface of the water, you can be sure there are feeding fish somewhere nearby or below them. While several anglers report catching striped bass very early in the morning using bucktails and flukes rigged on belly-weighted hooks and lightweight jigheads in the backs of creeks, most report catching stripers in the main channel. When seagulls are actively feeding and plucking injured baitfish off the surface of the lake, many anglers use a 3/8 or 1/2 ounce jighead to cast, countdown and retrieve a fluke, small swimbait or curl tail grub. As the sun moves overhead, many of the stripers will be found deeper in the water column. Currently, schools of striped bass are being found above Gills Creek on the Blackwater side and between the Hales Ford and Hardy Bridges on the Roanoke River. Once the stripers move deep, vertically jigging a spoon or a fluke rigged on a 1/2 or 3/4 ounce jighead is a productive technique. During the day stripers are currently being found in large schools anywhere from 20 to more than 50 feet deep. Vertically jigging a small umbrella rig can be very productive, especially for stripers that just refuse to hit a spoon or fluke. White perch are also being caught by anglers vertically jigging for stripers. Stripers are being caught at night, but based on several reports the normal night bite has been slow so far this year. While night anglers are catching a few stripers casting and retrieving diving jerkbaits, bucktails and flukes up along the shoreline, many say their best results are coming around security and dock lights. Live bait is, as always, a good choice for striped bass.

Crappie: Fishing continues to be good. Anglers report they are finding good numbers around and under deep water docks and the tops of submerged deep water structure and timber. Small crappie jigs, Popeye jigs and tiny spoons are the lures of choice for crappies although I'm sure small crappie minnows will also work if you can find them this time of year.

When the water temperature is this cold, hypothermia is a real danger. In addition to the risk of heat loss should someone fall into the lake, a person who falls into cold water without a life jacket may inhale while under water (involuntary gasping reflex) and drown without returning to the surface. It is vital to wear a life jacket or inflatable life vest anytime you are on the water and to carry a spare set of oversize dry clothing in the event you or someone else gets soaking wet while out in the cold.

The water is clear and 45 to 49 degrees. Tight lines and enjoy a safe winter.

Region 3 - Southwest

Claytor Lake: Contributed by Mike Burchett of Rock House Marina, (540) 980-1488.

Bass: The Alabama Rig craze has hit Claytor Lake and is producing in a big way. Rig up the A-rig with paddle swim baits. This past weekend the A-rig was catching bass in unbelievable numbers. Deep Points and Bluff walls in Peak Creek seemed to be the hot spots but the rig was catching fish throughout the lake. Due to the weight of the a-rig you need to throw it on a 7 ½ med hvy – hvy action rod, with the reel spooled with at least 50 lb. braid. The Rock House has the original Manns Alabama rig and the YUM yumbrella rig in stock, along with a good assortment of swimbaits and heads. Jerkbaits like the Lucky Craft Pointer, Luck-E-Strike RC Stick, and IMA's Foxy Fry are also catching bass very well.

Striper: The action is picking up in Peak Creek with everything from umbrella rigs, trolling live bait, and casting artificial lures working.

Catfish: I haven't heard anything on the cats.

Walleye: I have heard that the walleye action is very good in the upper section of the lake/river. The Allisonia section seems to be the best to find the "eyes" stacked up in deeper holes. The Guardrail section in the river is a good place to throw roadrunners and bucktails.

Crappie/Yellow Perch: The yellow perch are really starting to turn on with small jig heads tipped with a live minnow being the best choice.

Bluegill/Panfish: Bluegills are starting to become sparse as the water temp cools down.

Water temperature is in the low 40s.

Lower New River: Big Z'S (540) 639-1651. John Zienius says that the smallie bite is very slow. Muskies, however, are biting well on jerks and live chubs and suckers. The water is clear, at full pool and 40 or below.

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 River is in good shape right now. Good water flow, nice green color, four feet visibility and 43 degrees. I haven't heard of anyone smallmouth fishing but the walleye bite is picking up and the muskie fishing is still good. Slow presentations at this time of year and on blue bird days you may want to try some bottom bouncing for lethargic fish, it does pay off.

Top New River: Contributed by local guide Richie Hughes, owner of New River Trips LLC. The mild winter continues up here on the Top New (Mouth of Wilson to Fries). We have enjoyed dozens of delightful days on the streams flowing into the Top New, fly fishing for trout. Try Big Wilson, Cripple Creek, Crooked Creek, Fox Creek, Chestnut Creek, Helton Creek and others. Smallmouth in the New are still in winter mode but patiently working a jig, tube or a crawfish fly may get you a smallie in the wintering holes. Stream levels are average to above average. We have had almost weekly rains but no washouts.

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. Fly guru Harry says that both the smallmouth streams and the mountain streams are too cold to fish. The stocked and delayed harvest streams in the Valley are giving really good fishing for rainbows and browns. Fish the deep pools and below the riffles. Look for midge hatches in the flat pools in the evening. Good flies are: Griffith Gnat, size 18; and Brassies, size 18. The water is clear, at a good level and 39 degrees.

Lake Moomaw: Contributed by local anger Bill Uzzell. No report this edition.

Lake Moomaw: Local Guide, Mike Puffenbarger, (540) 468-2682, www.mapletreeoutdoors.com. Check Puff's website and his articles in Woods & Waters Magazine for updates on Lake Moomaw fishing action and opportunities. Winter has made it's appearance here in western Virginia with very little snow fall and somewhat milder temperatures than normal, but February could change things. Puff notes, "Lot's of activities in the woods with maple syrup producers running sap lines and making ready for another sap season. Seems blaze orange has give way to woolrich plaids and carhartts. With the Highland County Maple Festival just around the corner (March 8-10 & 15-17) spring will be here before you know it." Puff will also be at the Greater VA Big Game Show in Harrisonburg February 17-18 with information on fishing the VA Highlands, spring gobbler hunting and doing seminars on cooking wild game, "From the Kill to the Grill."

Stream conditions throughout the area have been running a little over full most of the time making fishing conditions kind of tough. The trout anglers have been catching some decent creels at times weather permitting.

Lake Moomaw would be full pool and willing to produce some fair catches on days where we can see some warming trends. Smallmouth should be turning it on pretty well this month on the upper regions trout can be found throughout the Lake this time of year. Yellow perch grouped up pretty tight off rock ledges and points with water temperatures at or near freezing on parts of the Lake. Lure presentation should be fairly slow but as always elwives and shinners are favorite bait. Come see us at the Maple Festival... bring your fishin' pole too!

Piedmont Rivers: Local author Steve Moore (Wade Fishing River Guidebooks covering the: Rappahannock, Rapidan, Upper Potomac, North Branch Potomac; Blog: SwitchFisher.com) I've packed it in for the winter. Fishing has wrapped up and now all I have to keep me going is the promise of the Spring thaw. I'll be back on the water in late February or early March depending on the weather. Books are available online to order for winter reading. It's never to early too start "scouting" for those new promising fishing spots. Use my books to do the preliminary search for great fishing throughout the Virginia Piedmont region.

Lunga Reservoir and Rappahannock River: Contributed by local angler Scott Torgerson. No report this edition.

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.