The NC Roanoke River Chronicles 2009

[gottaflylee]

Come gather round ya'll. Take a seat and enjoy the scenery. Another year has passed and once again I find my self on the beautiful Roanoke River for the Striper run. Once again I will keep you informed on the fishing with my reports and pictures. Not all my pictures as well as reports will be of fish, but more of the experience of being on the river. I will try to introduce you to the guides as well as the people that come to fish this wonder fishery, where else can you go to catch a 100+ fish almost every day... For those that fish in the river, feel free to add your reports, pictures or any other info that you may have on the river in this thread.


The Report...

The last 2 days the fishing has been on the slow side due the to the rising and dropping of the river. When I arrived here the other day, I guess do to the predicted rain as well as the rain they had in upper Va. Kerr Lake was on the rise and the decision was made to dump a lot of water. 12,000 CFM had the river rise up 3' higher that the week that I was here earlier. When I got back here 2 days ago, the had started dropping ( they plan on holding it at 8,000) the water, making the fish drop back down river some and almost shutting down the bite for the ones that remained. Yesterday morning, the first 2 &1/2 hours were good and 20 to 30 fish were landed with the boats first double of the year on fly...



Here is a nice fat single I saw caught...



On the river, nothing goes to waste. If a fish dies, as soon as it drifts to shore, the buzzards are there to clean it up. Here is one of the Buzzard trees...

Black Buzzards...






Turkey Buzzard...



I have never witnessed a Turkey Buzzard sit in a tree like this, thought it should be shared...





Another TB in flight...



Typical look back up river, the "smoke stack" strech as we call it...



GBH or know as Great Blue Herron's, have been a fascination of mine for a long time, I have never seen a baby, I think they must be born full grown. For me, they are one of the hardest birds to photograph, due to their color as well as the back ground that they live in. Here are a few that I hope you enjoy...







The landing...







All most a good shot..




Oh Ya, I have just had some dates open up and I will offer some deals to SFC members that would like to fill them...open days are, May 4, 8, 9, 10 Call me if you would like one of these days...the price is right...

[clt_capt]

Very cool shots Capt Lee.

[cblocal]

Capt. it was good talking to you the other day. Thanks and good luck.

[WAHOONBOX]

SIMPLY AWESOME LEE! GOOD LUCK ON FILLING THOSE OPEN SLOTS!!

[gottaflylee]

Just off the river is RayJr and Down East Guide...the river went off and 100 fish morning was done today. It will do nothing but get better if the weather holds...

[merry marlin]

Thanks Lee for always bringing some of the Best Things of NC to us.... Hope you get some more 100 fish days!!!
MM

[gottaflylee]

a tast of tonight, shot over 400 pictures of the spawn...

[Capt_John]

Those pics are awesome Lee.

[Mark Ray]

Thanks Lee, you just had to post those pics didn't ya! My two boys just happened to be standing there with me when I was looking at them. I hope we can at least get one trip in with you before it's over.

[btglenn]

Very Nice