New U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service policy on lead fishing tackle blindsides
recreational fishing community
 

January 23, 2017 – Alexandria, VA – On the day before President Obama left office, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued an edict to phase out the use of traditional fishing tackle on the hundreds of thousands of square miles of public lands under its management.

Director’s Order No. 219 will, “require the use of nontoxic ammunition and fishing tackle to the fullest extent practicable for all activities on Service lands, waters and facilities by January 2022, except as needed for law enforcement or health and safety uses, as provided for in policy.”

Scott Gudes, vice president of Government Affairs for the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), the trade association that represents the recreational fishing industry, issued a statement of behalf of the industry.

“The sportfishing industry views this unilateral policy to ban lead fishing tackle, which was developed without any input from the industry, other angling organizations and state fish and wildlife agencies, as a complete disregard for the economic and social impact it will have on anglers and the recreational fishing industry,” said Gudes.

Gudes further said, “In the limited instances where lead fishing tackle is demonstrated to harm local wildlife populations, the sportfishing industry supports actions to minimize or eliminate these impacts. However, unnecessary and sweeping bans such as this Director’s Order will do nothing to benefit wildlife populations and instead will penalize the nation’s 46 million anglers and hurt recreational fishing-dependent jobs.”

Gudes concluded, “A sound, science-driven and durable policy could’ve been crafted with input from industry and the broader recreational fishing community. We are hopeful that new leadership at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will repeal this Director’s Order and develop public policy in a way that is open, inclusive and based on science.”

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Build a Better Catfish Trap

Build a Better Catfish Trap

By Ted Pilgrim

It’s remarkable to consider that some of the earliest fishing artifacts unearthed by archaeologists were those curious contraptions we call circle hooks. Equally intriguing, this singular hook was designed and fished by numerous unrelated ancient civilizations across the globe. For pre-Columbian natives of Latin America, ancient Polynesians, early Japanese, and indigenous people of the North Pacific, the circle hook was apparently a logical invention among fishermen. 

But how is it that such different cultures arrived independently at a similar, yet singularly innovative hook style? The answer, in part, lies with the fact that these early fishermen were not sport anglers in today’s sense. Rather, they were hunters and trappers of fish. As subsistence fishermen, they needed a tool that hooked fish by itself. Circle hooks did exactly that, serving as efficient “fish traps” and putting dinner on the table for hundreds of generations of early anglers. 

In more recent times, commercial fishermen as well as catfishers using trotlines, juglines, and limblines have relied almost exclusively on the self-setting power of a circle hook. The true fish-catching talents of a circle hook, however, emerge only when coupled with a well-balanced, finely designed catfish rod.

Setting the Trap

Among rod and reel catfish anglers today, circle hooks have become standard fish-catching equipment. Yet without proper use of complementary tools—the right rod, line and bait—the circle hook is no more useful than a mousetrap lacking a spring. 

Studying the hook itself, most rod and reel anglers believe that modified circle designs— those with points that turn toward the shank at roughly 45-degrees— hook cats a bit easier than true circles, whose points turn at about 90-degrees. True circles, such as Eagle Claw’s heavy stainless steel 190, remain the preference of saltwater fishermen.

Modified designs, such as Rippin Lips Tournament Grade Circle, typically sport wider gaps than true circles, a feature that plays a vital role in hooking bony-lipped catfish. In truth, hook size itself remains far less important than gap and bite – the areas between point and shank, point and bend, respectively. When attaching baits, it’s wise to leave most of the throat open in order to allow the hook to properly pivot in the fish’s jaw and drive itself home. Impale cutbaits as lightly as possible. With live baitfish, plant the hook gently through the nostrils, lips or just beneath the skin near the tail. Certainly, avoid burying the hookpoint in the bait. Finally, sharpen the point and file down the barb to a nub; you’ll hook and land more cats, and more easily extract the hook. Note, a circle hook’s design keeps catfish hooked securely during battle, even lacking a large barb.

In order for the hook to lodge itself into the corner of a cat’s soft, yet bony jowl, steady, sustained pressure must be exerted opposite the direction of a striking fish. Veteran catfish guide Captain Brad Durick, a highly instinctive angler who regularly employs circle hooks to put his clients on big cats, describes the process:  “A good circle hook ‘trap’ consists of a 7 to 10-foot rod that loads up slowly, allowing a cat to grab the bait, turn, and move away with slight, steady resistance.” During the past season, Durick has literally boated over 10 tons of big channel catfish with a single set of SuperCat rods. For big channel cats, he prefers the 7-foot 6-inch medium-action casting version of the popular Rippin Lips sticks. Durick also notes that his SuperCats’ blanks offer the perfect balance between light heft (weight), sensitivity (strike detection) and tip softness.

“Monofilament line complements the hook and rod perfectly,” he adds, “Its stretch yields a sort of bungee-cord effect. Lines like 30-pound test Ande Premium cushion the hookset just enough to prevent the hook from bouncing out of the fish’s jaw. Happens sometimes with no-stretch braid.” Durick continues, “Lots of folks want to loosen their drags, too, but a tight drag is better—helps turn and lock the hook into the cat’s jaw.” 

“Keeping the rod in a rod holder seals the deal,” he says. “Only thing hand-holding the rod does is tempt you to set the hook, which is usually a no-no. I like to set the holders to position rods at about 55-degrees to the water. This helps load the rod slowly when a fish takes the bait. When the rod tip bounces, signaling a chewing cat, I don't touch it until the rod folds over completely. Lift the rod straight up out of the rod holder, and reel down while slowly forming a deep arc in the rod.” 

Employing the aforementioned prescriptions, Durick says he hooks over 99-percent of biting catfish in the corner of the lip, with almost zero fish hooked in the throat. That’s one impressive box score—both from a fishing perspective, and from a conservation point of view. It means every big cat Durick catches is shortly swimming again, where it can thump someone else’s rod.

So goes the circle of a catfish’s life.

Video Link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IreBM0tops

West Virginia Mussels

Learn about West Virginia mussels at North Bend State Park, Feb 25

CAIRO, W.Va. – Biologist Janet Clayton with the Wildlife Resources Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) will present an evening program, "Mussels –Why They're Important to West Virginia," at North Bend State Park Feb. 25, 2016. The 6:30 p.m. program will cover the importance of mussels in streams, habitats, threats to survival of species, and survey programs. The program is open to the public without charge.
We can learn about the quality of the water in our rivers and streams by observing the health of the species that live in it. Mussels, an important indicator of water quality, are freshwater versions of marine clams: bivalve mollusks that live in fresh water. The Ohio River system has more than 120 different species of the 225 known species in North America. Fifty-five of these reside in the West Virginia portion.
The program will help attendees understand these unique creatures, identify threatened and endangered mussels, and invite interested volunteers to assist in surveys. The evening is sponsored by the Friends of the Hughes River Watershed Association, WVDNR and North Bend State Park.
To learn more about mussels, visit www.molluskconservation.org/MUSSELS/ or www.wvdnr.gov.

A Little More Coastal Turmoil

Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper Update

Representatives from the recreational fishing community recently met for their second in-person meeting to plan strategies for addressing current and future Gulf of Mexico red snapper management challenges. The two-day meeting, facilitated by Florida State University’s FCRC Consensus Center, produced consensus positions on two timely issues facing federal fishery managers – regional management and the potential creation of a private recreational advisory panel. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, the body charged with developing fishery management plans for the region’s federal waters, met January 25-28, in Orange Beach, Ala. At its meeting, the Council deferred action on both regional management and the potential creation of a private recreational advisory panel. ASA supported these decisions.

> back to top

Profiting From the Gulf Red Snapper Catch Share System

Gulf of Mexico red snapper received a high degree of media attention recently when AL.com released an article published as part of an investigative series on the commercial catch share system for Gulf red snapper. In it, the author reveals the high profits that a relatively small number of commercial catch shareholders gain from selling shares of this public resource that they were gifted by the federal government

National Monumentors BEWARE

Keep Florida Fishing Acts to Block No-Fishing Zones

Our Florida Reefs (OFR), a community-based planning process in southeast Florida, recently released draft recommendations which include 28 marine protected areas from Stuart Inlet to Key Biscayne that would prohibit recreational fishing. In addition, OFR recommends the nomination of the entire area as a National Marine Sanctuary. OFR is currently seeking public input. Keep Florida Fishing, ASA’s Florida-based advocacy initiative, has been coordinating a response to remove these recommendations from OFR’s final proposal by mobilizing the fishing community and coordinating a public awareness campaign.

WV Trout Stockings Jan. 11-15, 2016

Middle Fork (c) High Virginia Images

West Virginia trout stocking the week of Jan. 11-15, 2016

ELKINS, W.Va. – The following waters were stocked the week of Jan. 11-15, 2016

Chief Cornstalk Lake Middle Wheeling Creek (C&R)

Rollins Lake South Branch (Franklin)

Tomlinson Run Lake Turkey Run Lake

West Virginia Trout Stockings- January 2016

West Virginia trout stocking the week of Jan. 4-8, 2016

ELKINS, W.Va. – The following waters were stocked the week of Jan. 4-8, 2016:

Anthony Creek                     Blackwater River Bullskin Run Cacapon Park Lake Cedar Creek Lake Chief Logan Lake Cranberry River Curtisville Lake East Fork Greenbrier River Elk River Evitts Run Fitzpatrick Lake Gandy Creek Glady Fork Huey Lake James P. Bailey Lake Knapps Creek

Krodel Lake Larenim Park Lake Laurel Fork (Randolph) Laurel Fork Lake Lick Creek Pond Little Beaver Lake Little River East Fork Greenbrier River Little River West Fork Greenbrier River Lost River Middle Creek (Berkeley) Miletree Lake Mill Creek (Berkeley) Mountwood Park Lake New Creek North Fork of Patterson Creek North Fork of South Branch (C&R) North Fork South Branch

Opequon Creek Pennsboro Reservoir Rocky Marsh Run Shavers Fork (Bemis section) Shavers Fork (lower section) Shavers Fork (upper section) Shavers Fork C&R (Stuarts Park Recreation Area) South Branch (Smoke Hole) Spruce Knob Lake Summit Lake Tracy Lake Trout Run Waites Run Watoga Lake Wayne Dam West Fork Greenbrier River Williams River

WV Trout Stocking Changes

West Virginia's trout stocking begins Jan. 4; WVDNR announces changes for 2016

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The 2016 trout stocking season that begins Monday, Jan. 4, will see several changes, according to Bret Preston, assistant chief for the Division of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Section.
Seven streams and one pond have been removed from the 2016 trout stocking schedule. These streams are either too small, have very limited angler access, few stocking locations, poor trout habitat, or a combination of these characteristics.
These streams include Deer Creek in Nicholas County, Long Marsh Run in Jefferson County, Lower Cove Run in Hardy County, Mill Run of Back Creek in Berkeley County, both the North and South forks of Fishing Creek in Wetzel County, and South Fork of Potts Creek in Monroe County. The smaller of the two Larenim Park lakes was removed from the stocking list due to the lack of adequate vehicle access.
Buffalo Creek in Clay County has been added to the stocking schedule. Remediation from historical mining activities, habitat improvement, and acquisition of public access made it a great candidate for put-and-take trout stocking. DNR personnel will stock Buffalo Creek in a 3.75-mile section in the Swandale Road area on a monthly stocking schedule.
The 2016 fishing regulations brochure, available at license agents, WVDNR offices and online at www.wvdnr.gov, lists which waters will receive one stocking during January. The stocking schedule is dependent upon weather and road conditions.
DNR Wildlife Resources personnel will start stocking at a high rate to promote trout distribution during periods of good stream flow. Reducing the number of trout in the hatcheries early in the year helps promote trout growth and provides larger fish for anglers throughout the entire spring stocking season, which concludes May 31.
Anglers can call the Fishing Hotline at 304-558-3399 or visit the website at www.wvdnr.gov to find out which streams and lakes have been stocked each day. Anglers also are reminded that new fishing licenses are required for 2016 and may be purchased at a license agent or online at www.wvfish.com.    
Anglers are also encouraged to check out DNR's online interactive map at www.mapwv.gov/huntfish. The map indicates which streams and lakes are stocked, the stream section that is stocked, special fishing regulation areas, and driving directions to stocked waters.

DNR

Sportfishing Industry Lists 2015 Top Recreational Fishing Advocacy Accomplishments

Sportfishing Industry Lists 2015 Top Recreational Fishing Advocacy Accomplishments Significant progress made in several key areas for recreational fishing’s future Alexandria, VA – December 15 – 2015 - Over the course of 2015, numerous legislative, public policy and advocacy activities occurred that will have a lasting impact on recreational fishing’s future. The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) today recounted seven of the top recreational fishing advocacy accomplishments of 2015. “I’m extremely proud of ASA’s efforts to promote fisheries conservation and access to help ensure a strong future for our industry,” said ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman. “While we certainly face many challenges in the future, our work in 2015 leaves us well-positioned to face those challenges and build upon the positive social, economic and conservation values that recreational fishing provides to the nation.” Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund Reauthorization This month, Congressional conferees reached a five-year agreement to operate and fund national highway and surface transportation. As part of this agreement, ASA, along with its partners in the Angling & Boating Alliance, prevailed in securing approximately $600 million per year for the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, nearly 60 percent of which goes towards fisheries conservation programs. The conference agreement cleared the House and Senate on December 3, and the President signed it into law on December 4. Industry Unites to Keep Florida Fishing ASA’s board of directors determined that an initiative specific to Florida was needed to ensure that anglers and the industry’s priorities were taken into consideration when polices or decisions were made that impact recreational fishing in the number one recreational fishing state in the U.S. Working with its partners in Florida, ASA launched the Keep Florida Fishing initiative, with the goal of ensuring that Florida’s resident and visiting anglers have clean water, abundant fisheries and access to both. ASA hired a Florida-based coalition manager and fisheries policy director for this effort. Federal Marine Fisheries Law Passes House  This past June, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to reauthorize the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the primary statute governing the nation’s marine fisheries. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), contained several provisions including: promote transparency and science-based review of fishery allocations; help to ensure fisheries aren’t unnecessarily closed by provided limited exceptions for annual catch limits; collect and incorporate better angling data and improve the accuracy of fish stock information through greater involvement by the states; and provide NOAA Fisheries the authority to implement better management practices for recreational fishing. Everglades Management Plan Balances Access and Conservation The recreational fishing and boating community expressed its collective appreciation to Everglades National Park officials for making meaningful progress to improve habitat conservation while allowing for public access in the final Everglades General Management Plan (GMP). Park officials worked closely with members of the recreational fishing and boating community to identify ways to better facilitate fishing access while minimizing boating impacts to important habitat, namely seagrass. SportfishingPAC Gives Industry a Stronger Voice on Capitol Hill In 2015, ASA reinvigorated its Political Action Committee, the SportfishingPAC, to raise funds from ASA member company executives and professional personnel to support Congressional elections and re-election campaigns of Members of Congress who support the interests of the recreational fishing community. Over the course of the year, SportfishingPAC supported 32 pro-sportfishing candidates, with a roughly even split between the House and Senate and Democrats and Republicans. NOAA Unveils National Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Policy This past February, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) unveiled a national saltwater recreational fishing policy which was greeted enthusiastically by sportfishing and boating leaders. ASA had urged the agency to develop a saltwater recreational fishing management policy and provided comments to inform the final policy. The first-of-its-kind, the National Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Policy was one of the key recommendations of the Commission on Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Management, of which ASA was a contributor. Sportfishing Industry Leaders Meet with Congressional Members This past April, recreational fishing industry leaders met with Members of Congress to advocate not just for the industry’s business interests, but for the entire recreational fishing community as part of the annual spring Government Affairs Committee meeting. Committee members met with more than two dozen Members of Congress or their staff, including leadership of key Congressional committees that oversee fisheries and natural resource management. Committee members are also ASA members and represent a wide spectrum of the industry and the sportfishing community. “These positive efforts, and many others, have created a strong foundation for the future,” said Nussman. “We still have many significant legislative and policy issues to address in 2016 and beyond, such as passage of the Sportsmen’s Act; fixing the current mismanagement of Gulf of Mexico red snapper; and preventing unwarranted marine monument closures to recreational fishing.” “Being successful in these areas and others will require an active and united recreational fishing community who are all pulling in the same direction,” Nussman concluded. ### The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry’s trade association committed to representing the interests of the entire sportfishing community. We give the industry a unified voice, speaking out on behalf of sportfishing and boating industries, state and federal natural resource agencies, conservation organizations, angler advocacy groups and outdoor journalists when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself. ASA invests in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous, as well as safeguard and promote the enduring social, economic and conservation values of sportfishing in America. ASA also gives America's 46 million anglers a voice in policy decisions that affect their ability to sustainably fish on our nation's waterways through KeepAmericaFishing™, our angler advocacy campaign. America’s anglers generate more than $48 billion in retail sales with a $115 billion impact on the nation's economy creating employment for more than 800,000 people.

STAPLES

STAPLES

I am not a shopper. I needed to get that out of the way; first. The newest, improved hi-tech stuff doesn’t interest me in the least. I believe in finding something that works and sticking to it. I have not looked at any of the outdoor catalogs for several years. Yep, so long that they have finally quit sending them to me. I just got finished thumbing through a borrowed one during a thunderstorm. I have to admit being a bit perplexed at all of the stuff that is out there. I was looking for a set of uninsulated camo bibs to replace my pair that is rotting away. They may not make it through the next briar patch.  I can’t believe the patterns offered. Many look as if they were designed by Hawaiian Florists. What ever happened to stuff that looked like dirt and dried leaves? Nope, I don’t want insulated, super-silent waterproof ones either. I want cotton/polyester bibs that look like dirt and leaves. Nope, none available. Enough.

I then made the mistake of flipping through the fishing stuff, Wow.  What is it with all of those colors and who actually comes up with the names for all of that stuff? I was just wondering when fish quit biting on a white 2 inch twister tail grub. Must have been since the last time I fished with one; which I have to admit was too long ago. I imagine that a 2.75 inch silver and black floating Rapala no longer will catch anything. I was thinking about going out and doing a little fishing; just fishing for fish and nothing in particular this month. I might have to change my plans and spend some money to get re-equipped. Do fish still bite on real night crawlers and real minnows? I was just wondering; I hate being outside wasting my time.

I fully intend on spending the Fourth of July weekend on the water. I really do not want to have to purchase a whole bunch of new stuff. I wouldn’t mind the investment if I had the chance to fish more. I just now pulled out my little box of stuff that I always carried on the rivers. Yep, it fits in my back pocket. It has several small Rapalas, Rebel Crayfish, Rattle-Traps, curly-tail grubs and shad-darts. The other smaller box which also fits in a pocket contains sinkers, hooks, bobber stops, finger-nail clippers and some small slip-bobbers. I think I will be prepared for any situation that arises. I know I used to be able to do all right with that little menagerie of prehistoric equipment. Oh my, I just remembered that I just have plain old nylon monofilament fishing line on my reel. According to the catalog I looked at, you can’t catch fish on that stuff anymore. I might just as well stay home.

I’m stubborn, though, so I’ll probably still give it a try; even though I will be doomed with failure. I wonder if you can still catch channel cats on chicken livers or do you have to use that stinky stuff they sell in tubs to be successful?

This is my July 2015 article for 2 Lane Livin

(c) 2015 High Virginia Outdoors Photo (c)2016 High Virginia Images ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Tagged catfish program underway at West Virginia State Parks

Tagged catfish program underway at West Virginia State Parks

SOUTH CHARLESTON, West Virginia – The popular Tagged Catfish in the Parks Program is underway again in West Virginia's state parks, providing fun and even rewards to those lucky enough to catch one. State parks have some of the many lakes that are part of the Division of Natural Resources stocking program.
"Catfishing is great fun for anyone, especially for families with children. This is a fish easily caught and that experience often is a first fish – a lasting memory of good times outdoors," said West Virginia State Parks Chief Sam England.
State park areas included in the May stocking program are: Berwind Lake (McDowell Co.), Cacapon State Park Lake (Morgan Co.), Cedar Creek State Park Lake (Gilmer Co.), Chief Logan State Park Lake (Logan Co.), Laurel Lake (Mingo Co.), Little Beaver State Park Lake (Raleigh Co.), North Bend State Park Pond (Ritchie Co.), Pipestem State Park Lake (Summers Co.), Tomlinson Run State Park Lake (Hancock Co.), and Watoga State Park Lake (Pocahontas Co.).
Seven state park lakes feature a Tagged Catfish in the Parks Program, according to Chris O'Bara, DNR fishery biologist. These lakes are: Cacapon, Cedar Creek, Chief Logan, North Bend, Pipestem, Tomlinson Run and Watoga.
Lucky anglers who submit tag information receive a free night camping at select state parks in West Virginia. However, the parks do not collect the tags or issue the rewards. Anglers who catch a tagged fish should return the tag or the tag number along with  information on the date of capture, whether the fish was kept or released, and the name and address of the angler to WVDNR, 2311 Ohio Ave, Parkersburg, WV 26101. Anglers also can call in the information (304-420-4550) or provide the information via email at dnrfishtags@wv.gov. Additional information about the tagging programs can be found at www.wvdnr.gov/Fishing/Fish_Tagging.shtm.

**DNR**

First Trip

I finally made myself go this morning. I knew the waters would be high and swift; so I went to the most un-swift place I know of. I headed to my all-time favorite spot on the Right Fork of Middle Fork. Things were going fine on the way there. A couple of grouse were in the road and I was able to get a nice photo of a Common Merganser pair. Alas. I got to the place I intended to fish; I've fished there since the 70's. Well, guess what. It is in the active process of being made into a major clear-cut.

I headed back downstream to a section of log jams that are always good. There was just too much water. i couldn't get in to the location. If you stayed in the water more than about ten minutes, your legs went numb and you had a hard time walking. Not a good situation. Therefore I had to go to Plan C. I finally found a place where I could stand which was about 2 square feet in size. From that spot I had to cast straight downstream (never good) so you can already tell how difficult it would be to actually hook a fish. I did manage to catch 3, lose 3 and miss 2 from that one spot. I did catch another one further downstream. All and all it wasn't a bad 2 hours. But, it should have been better. Definitely much better than the first 3 times out last year. I do believe that it was the first time I have ever been there in the spring when I did not hear a single turkey gobbling. I guess it is a challenge to find a tree big enough to roost in. I did hear 2 different grouse drumming, they were the first I've heard this year.

(c)2015 High Virginia Outdoors Photo (c) High Virginia Images ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Whitmer Wal-Mart

Gandy Creek (4/2/15)

I did my obligatory drive up Gandy this morning. It was a fairly nice ride until I crossed Lower Two Springs; then it all changed. There was a vehicle in every single wide spot; three if they would almost fit. What a scene it was; unbelievable. It was around 10 am when I got there and they had apparently just stocked. I didn't look; because as I stated earlier, there was nowhere left to park. I only drove as far as Bee Run trail, I didn't need to see anymore. I just rode up the side road there and took the dogs for a walk in the woods.

We returned to the truck at about 12:30 and the mob had partially dissipated by then. We drove downstream and parked at the first free parking spot that we could find. We only messed around the water for about fifteen minutes; at times we could actually see the water; between dust clouds. One would probably be wise to bring along a respirator if they were planning to stay very long. There seemed to be a perpetual cloud of dust caused by the traffic flying up and down the road.


There was a time when I loved to fish this stream; but that was long ago. I used to hit it pretty hard; 2 or 3 evenings a week, from the time I was done with turkey hunting until the stream was pretty much dried up for the summer. I can remember days when the Grannom Caddis hatch was so thick that you had to scrape them off your arms. The river would magically come alive; trout boiled everywhere. I do believe the last time I fished Gandy Creek was probably June of 1985. From what I saw today; I believe I can hold off another thirty years.

I find it hard to believe that anyone could enjoy participating in that mess. To top it off; I never saw one person with a fish!!

(c) 2015 High Virginia Outdoors Photo (c) 2015 High Virginia Images ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Lower Than Low

Lower Shavers Fork

We Need Rain, Period. I have never seen the water level as low as it is now at Bowden. This first photo was taken on October 5 from the bridge above the Bowden Hatchery; yes this is the spot where everyone fishes. There is only a small trickle flowing over the little dam. Yes, the place where everyone fishes and can't normally get their Powerbait down to the bottom where the fish are.

This is the critical time for Brook Trout spawning and I do believe it is going to be though this year. I'm sure they are trapped in many spots. There is a little rain in the forecast for this week. I hope something happens this time; unlike that big rain event we were supposed to get on Friday.

Shavers Fork Streamflow

TERRESTRIAL FISHING

Nope, we are not going to discuss fishing from or in trees; although I have seen a few people spend a good portion of their time casting into said trees. I do believe that the majority of fish will be caught in some type of water. Terrestrials to the fishing world are land based insects that sometimes end up falling in the water and therefore become fish food. The cooler nights of September change fish back into a daytime feeding pattern. The combined effects of heat and less available oxygen during the peak of summer make most of our fish species predominately nocturnal predators.

Low water levels make river and stream fishing difficult at this time of the year, The fish are there and are feeling the lean times of winter approaching. They want to eat and will feed on whatever is most abundant. The mayfly and caddis fly hatches are over; with a few exceptions. Minnow and crayfish populations have thinned out over the summer. What does that leave out there for forage? Things that haplessly fall in or are blown into the water become the most reliable food source.

Waters that are bordered by grassy areas tend to have an abundant population of grasshoppers. Where do some of the grasshoppers end up anytime something walks by? Fish know that, too. I love fishing high mountain streams when the leaves are beginning to show some color. Careful wading is a must to prevent spooking the fish. Fine tippets are not needed and often a less than perfect cast which makes your grasshopper pattern land with a plop; often works best. You probably will not notice any rising fish. Casts should be made to ambush spots such as points sticking out into the water or overhanging vegetation. You never know what may be laying there and waiting for a meal. Rises are not dainty little sips, either. You should use a much heavier tippet than you would when normally dry fly fishing. This one tip will save some heartache when you see red spots the size of your thumbnail.

Now I know some of you are thinking: I don’t have any grassy meadows or sods nearby. Don’t worry. There is another option. Actually there are two other options. Overhanging trees and rock ledges tend to be hotspots. Just think of the menu underneath a tree: Ants, Beetles, Caterpillars, Leaf-hoppers and Spiders; just to mention a few. Sounds like a good place for fish dinner and the food supply is replenished with every breeze. Try sitting and staring alongside a rock ledge that meets the water sometime. Spend fifteen minutes and you will be enlightened. It is unbelievable how many creatures fall into the water. There is always something rolling in. Fish know that; you should too.

Those of you that are looking for something peaceful to do between now and when the snow starts flying should get an empty fly box and prepare it for your autumn trips. Yes, trips. I know that after you go once during this un-traditional time you will keep going back. Fill up your box with grasshopper, beetle and ant patterns. Throw in a few small Slate Drakes and Blue-winged Olives and you will be set for anything that happens. Enjoy.

This is my article in the September 2014 print issue of Two-Lane Livin

(c) 2014 High Virginia Outdoors

Elk and Kanawha Fish Survey

DNR fish health surveys to be conducted week of Aug. 25 on Kanawha and Elk rivers

SOUTH CHARLESTON, West Virginia – The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR) will conduct fisheries surveys and sampling for fish health assessments on the Kanawha and Elk rivers during the week of August 25, according to Bret Preston, Assistant Chief of the Wildlife Resources Section. 
The Kanawha River fish collection is a component of a statewide fish health assessment project in cooperation with the U.S. Fish Wildlife Service's Northeast Fishery Center in Lamar, Pennsylvania. 
The Elk River fish collection will be conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey's National Fish Health Laboratory in Leetown, West, Virginia, and is the result of fish health monitoring following the MCHM spill in January.  No fish kills were observed after the spill in January and this effort will look at possible health impacts in the area of the spill.

**DNR**

SOMETIMES

Caylor Custom Coffin Fly

Have you taken the time to sit, stare and reflect on what has happened throughout your personal evolution? Yeah, you’re too busy to go to a quiet place and get lost. Really? You owe it to yourself. I know some who are content with the same old thing and never attempt anything new. I’m thankful that I have never been trapped in that place. Think about something that you used to enjoy doing but can no longer find the time for. Hey, you heard it here first: You’re never going to be rich so you’ll be better off happy.

I recently re-discovered something that I really enjoy doing. I have been able to squeeze in a little bit of fly fishing over the past fifteen or so years and I was somewhat content with the time spent doing so. The bad thing was that I was never able to go at prime time in the places that I really wanted to be. I made do and fished streamers and nymphs. I always managed to catch some fish and all was well; or so it seemed. That was until a few weeks ago.

I was just piddling around one evening with the dogs on a small stream close to home. We all know that our wonderful 4 dollar gas doesn't allow us to get too far away, anymore. The dogs were trailing mink which has become their favorite way to get tangled up and I was starring in the water. There was one subtle rise on the far side of the stream. I couldn't see any insect activity other than a few crane flies. The beagles were thoroughly entertained so I waded out in a shallow riffle and scooped up a hatful of water. Spent Sulphurs were in my hat. They were invisible to me while looking at the water; but there were apparently thousands to be sipped up by the trout.  There had been a mayfly hatch on the stream earlier, the females had returned to the stream, laid there eggs and died. Many now floated in the surface film.

I returned to the stream bank and watched downstream. I could count fifteen actively feeding trout within 75 yards of my location. The wheels started turning. I knew that I couldn't fish that section with the dogs around. It was too shallow and too tight that was sure to equal spooky fish. It was getting late so I just watched and came back alone the next evening. I was not disappointed, even though my small water casting skills needed some honing. I managed to catch nine rising trout in about a 200 yard section of stream. The trout, while none were over a foot long were all caught using spent Sulphurs on the surface.

I really enjoy stalking and fishing for surface feeding trout. You have to be careful not to spook them and then make the perfect cast. Dry fly and terrestrial fishing for low water trout after the fish trucks quit running is the ultimate one on one outdoor experience. I’m hooked once again. Why did I quit doing it? Sometimes I just wonder.

This article first appeared in the July 2014 print edition of Two-Lane Livin

(c) 2014 High Virginia Outdoors

Gauley River Trout Stocking

Summersville Lake tailwater trout stocking

SUMMERSVILLE, West Virginia – The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, in cooperation with the West Virginia Professional Outfitters Association (WVPRO), stocked 750 pounds of rainbow trout in the Summersville Dam tailwater of the Gauley River June 27, 2014.
"The goal of the stocking is to enhance summer trout fishing opportunities in the Gauley River," said Frank Jezioro, DNR Director.  "Another stocking will be conducted in August."
The program is supported by rafting fees to compensate for additional days of whitewater rafting flows on the Gauley River. Fishing opportunities are reduced during these high flows released from Summersville Dam.

**DNR**

“GONE FISHIN”

I had somewhat of a problem this spring. Like most problems; it was self-induced. Times of deep thought or periods of brief pondering can tend to change your actions. I do know that one major problem that has an effect on many is the lack of random periods of un-structured quiet time allotted to thinking and pondering. Far too many people have let the demands of others take control of their lives. When was the last time you just went and did something that you really enjoy; without worrying? We often cannot take the time to do something without being concerned about how long we have to do it or where we have to be next.

I came to the realization this year that I really have zero interest in fighting the crowds and fishing for fish that were thrown from a truck sometime during the week. This process which is known by many as “trout fishing” in WV has become an absolute chore; to me. I do not want to have to make myself go do something that is supposed to be enjoyable. I made 2 trips this year during the “stocking season”. The first time was on Clover Run and I did manage to catch 3 trout; before others saw me and crowded me out. The second trip was planned out to be a memorable experience. That didn't pan out either. I made about 5 casts into Dry Fork downstream from Harman; before I realized that something wasn't normal in that stretch of river. Growths of stringy green algae had made that section of river pretty much un-fishable with anything other than dry flies.

During the next couple of weeks following the April frustrations I had several opportunities to go fishing. I just couldn't make myself do it. I plan on starting up once again in June; after the fish trucks have been parked. It just isn't fun anymore. Enjoyment to me is walking a stretch of river; watching for rising trout. If your timing is right and you find a decent mayfly hatch and feeding trout; each of your outings can become a memorable experience. June is that magical time to be on a trout stream. We have many to choose from and you are pretty much guaranteed to be alone on your favorite stream on any evening in June.

I also thought back to times when we just went fishing; not for anything in particular. Just fishing; remember that? Nice and peaceful, wasn't it. Simple, too. No fancy ingredients required. Rod, reel, line, bobber, sinker; grab a couple dozen night crawlers or a bucket full of minnows and just go. Sit, stare and enjoy. Think back to those days when you followed that recipe. You always enjoyed it and you always caught fish, didn't you? Those were good times that still can be had if we break or pattern, get out of the rut and just go out and do it.

I don’t know about you; but this year during the month of June: I’m just going fishing.

This article first appeared in the June 2014 issue of Two-Lane Livin . 

DOWNTIME

(c)HVI

I guess we've made it again. There is a dim light glowing at the end of the tunnel of frozen tundra. There are a few teaser days on the distant horizon. I have a love-hate relationship with those teaser days. I’m always glad when the show up but I know they will not stay. I consider downtime to be the period between my last day of deer hunting and the day I put my potatoes in the ground. I know that between the times those tubers are covered with soil and it turns hot; there will be 3 or 4 pleasant weeks. Those weeks are known as prime-time.

I spent a lot of time this winter researching underwater insect life. I decided to limit my fishing during the spring to using sub-surface flies that actually look like the things that really live down there. I have stared at so many photos of caddis larvae, stoneflies, mayflies and diptera that I can almost say some of their scientific names. I do believe that I have learned about all I need to know about them. I now understand where each species can be expected to be found in any stream.  I sure know more about the bottom of the stream than I did at this time last year. That is a good thing.

Part two of the process was a long and hard search to find imitations the really looked like what they were supposed to imitate. We all know that many patterns are tied to resemble real things; but they are also tied to attract the fisher’s eye and to get into his or her wallet. Believe me when I say that it is a challenge to find exactly what you are looking for; especially with satellite internet that will not stay connected. I do believe I managed to find realistic imitations of most of what I was looking for. It wasn't easy and it wasn't cheap.

The caddisflies I concentrated on were mostly netspinners (Hydropsychidae) and the green rock worms (Rhyacophilidae) these live in the type of water that I like to fish. The colors are primarily tan and green; I believe those two colors will pretty much cover my applications.  I concentrated on finding realistic patterns for common stoneflies (Perlidae), since these are the most available stoneflies in the streams I fish. I already had plenty of Hendrickson, Sulphur, Blue-winged Olives Green Drakes and Isonychia nymphs; so the mayflies were covered. I didn't bother with midge larvae; I could never get one of those tiny things tied on a leader. The only True Fly (Diptera) I ended up buying were some large weighted nymphs that look like crane fly larvae. I believe I’m set for the season, only time will tell. I do know that if the realistically researched nymphs fail; those trusty Clouser Minnows will be in my pocket. No worries there.

Now, all we can do is wait for those nice days to be out on the river. We never know how many times we can get out there and we never know if each one will be the last. Therefore we need to take advantage and enjoy the time we have. Never quit learning, you will have no regrets.

This article first appeared in the March print edition of Two-Lane Livin

(c)2014 High Virginia Outdoors. Photo (c) High Virginia Images All Rights Reserved