A LITTLE FRESH WATER BILLFISHING

[netman9]

Started the day out with the 3 boys and their grandfather heading upstream on the Upper James River for the first kayak trip targeting smallies and gar. Great stretch of water paddling upstream, wading and fishing for the first 1 1/2 hours catching many of the 12"-15" small mouth keeping an eye out for the gar for the trip coming back down. What could go wrong on the water to disable a kayak other than to have the senior member of our party say " I hope I left my paddle down on the last gravel bar" Off I went in search of the missing paddle without any luck. OK one motor down but we'll keep fishing heading upstream with kayaks in tow behind us. When we reach a stretch of deep water my youngest offers his paddle and ties up behind me for a free ride so he can focus on the fishing while I paddle... I'm thinking how thoughtful of him? NOT. This did workout and for the down stream part I separated a paddle and both Ed and myself finished our day with a very short half paddle.

Back to fishing, not many heavy fish landed with Nolan being the only one to catch a good size one just under 18". Now we need a bluegill to sacrifice to the gar. Do a little slice and dice on a little sunfish in prep for a free ride behind the amazing fish we play with. All 3 boys hooked into one with Nolan again being the one able to work his to the little boat side for an inspection before a release. Will have to brag a little that 6# mono is used so the gar have a clear advantage, when one is landed it has been done with a light drag and alot of patients. Incredible fish to battle at the end of the day sight casting cut bait to the 2'-5'+ toothie beast. Camera and all electronics stayed off the water so no pictures but will try to remember the dry bag on the next. At days end: C&R to many small mouth to count, 2 bluegill and 1 for 3 on FRESH WATER BILLFISH!

[merry marlin]

Sounds like some great fishing in a beautiful area...
Pretty work on the toothy bills do they bite on artificials?
MM

[netman9]

Sounds like some great fishing in a beautiful area...
Pretty work on the toothy bills do they bite on artificials?
MM

In 20 years on this stretch of the James I have seen 1 gar landed on a Yamamoto grub. I did witness a pretty cool part of nature 10 or so years ago when a large gar ran a 12" small mouth into 2" of water. The little smallie looked like a dog running with his tail tucked between his legs.

Here's alittle clip from last year with the three boys in the canoe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfKQb...eature=channel

[HOLWACHAGOT]

I've spent several thousand hours wading and canoeing The New river, couple hours to your west. I can certainly relate to the appeal of light tackle Smallmouth fishing. Some of the most beautiful country in the world.
Are there Tiger Musky on the stretch you guys fish? I have had them take Smallmouth before...
Thanks for the report.

Just got to see the video....worth the wait! Thanks again.
Holwachagot

[WAHOONBOX]

"DAD.....DAD..........."


I HAVE JUST CAUGHT UP ON SOME ON MY READING IN "THE WORLD" THIS MORNING....I'VE BEEN WAY TO TIRED WHEN I GET HOME FROM MY TORRID OFFSHORE SCHEDULE THIS SUMMER.....BUT TODAY........TODAY I AM GLAD I FOUND TIME TO STOP....& SMELL THE ROSES.

DUDE..........THIS IS WITHOUT A DOUBT....THE BEST SHORT STORY-VIDEO I HAVE EVER READ-WATCHED ....FRESH WATER BILLFISHING......GENIUS BRO....PURE GENIUS.........THE GAR...I MEAN THE BILLFISH FOOTAGE IS WITHOUT A DOUBT THE MOST TRANQUIL WATER FOOTAGE I HAVE SEEN TODATE. I GIVE IT A SIX STAR....

"DAD...DAD....." SO SOFTLY SPOKEN....SO INNOCENT STILL....NOT TRYING TO SOUND CORNY HERE OR ANYTHING BUT I CAN FEEL THE FAMILY LOVE IN THIS CLIP


THANKS BRO FOR SHARING YOUR WORLD WITH US


I AM POSTING UP YOUR VIDEO ON A CINEMA BACKGROUND IF YOU DON'T MIND

[KissyClips]

LOVE IT !

[netman9]

WAHOONBOX Thanks for work work on the YouTube, I'll have to work at that next go around with video.

I've spent several thousand hours wading and canoeing The New river, couple hours to your west. I can certainly relate to the appeal of light tackle Smallmouth fishing. Some of the most beautiful country in the world.
Are there Tiger Musky on the stretch you guys fish? I have had them take Smallmouth before...
Thanks for the report.

Just got to see the video....worth the wait! Thanks again.
Holwachagot

Yes musky swim the Upper James, in addition to the one gar I witnessed being caught on artificial, I landed a musky on a rattle trap along with a buddy hanging into one in less than a minute. Only two musky I've seen in 20 years fishing this stretch.

Grew up in Abingdon and fished the NEW once near Independence with a guy that landed a huge musky on his first cast, not a great day of fishing as I recall but an awesome first.

Heading to Radford this fall to visit friends and float/fish The New River targeting smallmouth from kayaks.