November 2011

Not only does November bring upon us daylight savings time and the official beginning of the holidays, but it also brings the close of our fishing season.  Unfortunately, there are so many Saltwater awards still left on the table.  So far this year, entries have not been received for the following species:  Bluefish, Barracuda, Spadefish, Sheepshead, the Jack family, Black Sea Bass, and Weakfish.   These are the typical species that have been submitted in past fishing years. A former club member told me this year he had heard that the VAC had changed to a predominately freshwater club.  Hopefully, next year will be better and we can be a more balanced club.  I’m going to try to do my part!

New member and Chickahominy River guide, Art Conway turned in five entries.  His highest point fish was a Largemouth Bass worth 125 points on 4# spinning tackle.  It weighed 1 pound, 14 ounces, and Art was using a Kalin Crappie Scrub.  Several Black Crappie were also mailed in by Art with the largest being a 1 pounder caught on a live minnow.

David Nobles was fly fishing the James River on October 11th and landed a 2 pound, 4 ounce, Smallmouth Bass.  David was using 6# tippet and scored 160 points using a CK Baitfish imitation fly. 

Fred Cousins has several more entries this month.  Fred turned in a 10 ounce Spot worth 189 points on 2# spin.  The Spot now leads the “species” and “heaviest” categories.  Also, from the recent Gar Tournament, Fred landed a 6 pound, 12 ounce, fish on 2# spin for 245 points using a grub for bait.

Johnny Wetlaufer also turned in several nice Gar this month.  His largest was on 4# general, using a minnow for bait, and valued at 136 points.

Recently, a fishing trip to Lake Shenandoah provided Parks Rountrey with a Muskie catch.  Parks was using a Pop-R on 4# spin when he landed his 131 point Club Record fish.  Many of us have cast our “thousand times” and still haven’t caught our Muskie!  Parks also landed a 6 pound, 8 ounce, Gar in the tournament on a minnow for 188 points.

While fishing the James River, Bob Brown had several more quality entries this past period.  Bob caught a 20 pound Blue Catfish on 4# general using cut bait for 213 points and also a 9 pound, 4 ounce, Gar using a gold fish for bait.  The Gar is worth 268 points.

There are just a few days left in this fishing season and most of the awards have been decided.  Hopefully, many of you will support your fellow angler’s efforts by attending this year’s banquet in January.

Keeping it reel,
Buddy

October 2011

Approaching the last few weeks of August, the saltwater fishing was getting better and better with some real nice catches.  Then came Hurricane Irene and everyone was busy doing other things.  The storm may have triggered an earlier fall migration for some species like Cobia, but the fishing surprisingly rebounded quite well.  The Piankatank River, Hunger’s Creek, and many of the other hot spots are full of Speckled Trout.  Most of the fish are small, but there are some large ones mixed in and it’s not unusual to get 20-30 in a day.  The freshwater rivers, lakes, and streams cleaned up pretty quickly also.

Mike Cline submitted a Flounder entry last month that I had misplaced for a short period of time.  Sad thing is that “my mind is as good as it going to get”!  Mike’s Flounder weighed 5 pounds, 10 ounces, and replaces his current Club Record for the 8# plug category.  He and Robbie Robinson were fishing the bridge tunnel using a bucktail/Gulp combination bait.        

Mike Ostrander caught a nice 4 pound, 15 ounce, Smallmouth on the upper James on September 7th.  The fish could not be entered because his “scale failed to certify” and the fish was released.  Get your scales certified early so you won’t miss out on a great entry!    

Bob Shepherd and Fred Murray have catching lots Spotted Seatrout lately on Hunger’s Creek.  Bob’s entry from early September is for a 2 pound, 1 ounce, Speckle worth 137 points.  I know they both had larger fish and expect more entries to follow.  Bob also took a freshwater trip to the New River and landed a 2 pound, 5 ounce, Smallmouth Bass.  He was using a “wacky worm” and the fish leads the “species” category.  Rumor has it that Bob in in Key West this week on a business trip.  I’m sure he will find time to wet a line!

 Bob Brown and Parks Rountrey have left the Flatheads alone for a few weeks and went Cobia fishing on the Chesapeake Bay.  Bob managed the best catch which was a 28 pound fish on 8# spin.  Bob was fast retrieving a bucktail when the Cobia struck.  This entry will take the lead of the “species” division.

Fred Cousins has been busy the past month.  He first went to the mountains to fish Lake Shenandoah and caught a 17 pound, 4 ounce, Muskellunge on 6# spin using a crankbait worth 359 points.  Then, fishing together with Reggie White off Virginia Beach, Fred landed a 15 pound, 4 ounce, Cobia on 6# plug.  Several weeks later, Fred was fishing on a private pond and landed a 4 pound, 10 ounce, Largemouth Bass on 2# spin for 308 points.  The Musky will lead both the “species” and “heaviest” categories and the Largemouth will take the “species” lead.  Fred proves it again that to compete in this club for the top awards, you have to be able to catch fish, using different tackle, in a variety of bodies of water!

Fly fishing the Corrotoman River off the Rappahanock at the end of September, Scott Johnston and Eddy Johnston caught several nice Croaker.  The best fish was a 1 pound, 1 ounce, Croaker on 2# tippet for Eddy worth 177 points and the “fly division” lead.  

Best of luck to Scott and the guys going to the Oak Orchard River, New York, to fly fish for the Salmon and Brown Trout at the end of this month!

Keeping it reel,
Buddy

September 2011

With the devastation of hurricane Irene slowly being put behind us, our thoughts are with the members and others that experienced losses.  The roads on the Outer Banks are lined with all type of building debris including freezers, air conditioners, doors, mattresses, boats, stoves, etc...  Contractors are cleaning up the debris and the temporary steel bridge on Pea Island is slowly coming together.  Kitty Hawk to Avon took most of the surge damage where as Buxton to Hatteras suffered the least.  Offshore boats from Virginia Beach to Oregon Inlet continue to enjoy the billfish bite.  The Hatteras boats are either not fishing because of visitors not being allowed on the island or have moved their boats to Pirate’s Cove to fish.     

With all the interruptions from the recent earthquake and hurricanes, saltwater fishing is suffering the most.  Tony Horsley, member and local fishing guide on the Chesapeake Bay, is still finding Cobia for members. The fish are smaller since the storm and are leaving the bay area at a fast pace.  As you will see in the catch summaries, only six saltwater species have qualified for entries so far this year.

On the subject of Cobia, Hunter Wells recently caught the “species”, “heaviest”, and “saltwater general division” leader with 261 points.  The fish weighed 68 pounds and was hooked on a live Spot on 20# tackle.  Bill Duval still holds the current Club Record of 77 pounds on 20# general.  Hunter was fishing in the Baltimore Channel area of the bay.

Bob Shepherd had several nice entries the past month.  Bob was “sight casting” for Cobia and landed a 31 pound Cobia on 12# plug worth 206 points.  A week later at the “Cell”, Bob landed a 45 pound Red Drum on 20# braid using a jig for 150 points.

Mike Cline and Robbie Robinson continue to pound the waters of the CBBT and also landed a large Red Drum.  Mike’s Channel Bass weighed 47 pounds and is worth a staggering 587 points.  Mike was fishing with 8# plug tackle with a bucktail jig loaded with a Gulp bait.  This fish will lead all the categories including the “saltwater plug division”.   Even with Elly Robinson’s fishing suggestions by phone, the drum was their only significant catch of the day.  Stuart Lee is still the current Club Record holder and IGFA World Record holder since 1987 with a 60 pound, 8 ounce catch.

Changing to the freshwater side of angling, Steve Luterek and his wife Ann were recently fishing Lake Erie for Yellow Perch.  Steve was using an Emerald Shiner for bait and landed a 1 pound, 10 ounce, Club Record perch.  The fish was caught on 4# general and is worth 280 points.  It is unusual for us southerners to hear of large Yellow Perch entries this time of the year.  In the northern lakes, the perch are making their fall run.

 Even though Billy Nicar is working longer hours at Greentop’s, he still manages to find the time to catch a quality fish.  This month, Billy has entered a 21 pound, 8 ounce Carp totaling 238 points using a dough ball for bait on the James River.  This Carp is also the new Club Record, “species”, and “heaviest” leader.  Robbie Robinson was the previous Club Record holder with a 20 pound, 8 ounce fish.

Bob Brown and Parks Rountrey continue to partner up together for some good entries.  Fishing the James River, Parks caught a 5 pound, 8 ounce, Bowfin and a 16 pound Flathead Catfish, both on 4# general.  Parks has several larger Flatheads scoring more points.  Bob Brown’s Flathead entry is a 14 pound fish on 4# general and a 4 pound, 8 ounce, Largemouth Bass.   Fishing Taylor’s Pond, Bob also entered an 11 ounce Sunfish worth 229 points on 2# fly tippet using a Tommy’s Torpedo fly.    

Keeping it reel,
Buddy

August 2011

The water temperatures are above normal and the doldrums of August are here.  Except for the Flathead Catfish, the freshwater fishing has been slow.  In saltwater, according to Dr. Julie Ball, all species that are available to Virginia are here and everyone is catching them.  But, where are the entry cards?

Large Flounder are biting at the CBBT as proven by several members with new club records and division leads.  Mike Cline and Robbie Robinson continue to go after them and get their limit with a bucktail and Gulp.  Robbie turned in a 5 pound, 3 ounce, Flounder on 8# plug tackle worth 216 points for the “species” and “plug” leads.

Bob Schepker also set a new “club record” and captured the “heaviest” lead.  Bob and Vic Skakandy were fishing the 4th island of the CBBT in mid July.  Bob entered a Flounder weighing a whopping 8 pounds, 12 ounces, on 20# general using a live spot for bait.  Most of the larger Flounder this past year have been caught on “live bait”.

The lone freshwater entry for the past 30 days is from the James River.  Parks Rountrey caught a 2 pound, 10 ounce, Smallmouth Bass on 4 spin for 190 points.   Parks was using a Yamamotto grub for this catch.

Ryan Noland, Danny Noland, Ricky Dale and I are on our annual fishing trip in Hatteras this week.  We are missing our fellow club members Dean Winstead and Jeff Doughty who are dealing with health issues.  We managed only to fish several days so far because of the high winds.  In fact, Speckled Trout and Bluefish fillets provided dinner one night.  Hopefully we all are getting wiser in our later years or maybe just can’t take the pounding we used to when more club members competed offshore.  Ricky fished with his cousin and potential club member, Billy Dale, and previous member, Randy Cullinan of “Predator Fishing Systems”.  To date, trolling with heavy tackle has produced Dolphin to 15 pounds, Blackfin Tuna, and Wahoo from 24 pounds to 37 pounds for both boats.  The Wahoo that got away have taken more than their share of our tackle with them!  Ricky is perfecting a new bottom fishing technique for catching Moray Eels.  Sad thing is that none of us have contributed a 100 point entry the entire week to date.

Numerous saltwater species remain to be entered into our points system with many species available to most fishermen.  For example, Croaker, Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel, Spot, Grey Trout, Spadefish, Tautog, etc., as well as most offshore species have yet to be recognized.  Hopefully the next few months will be more fruitful.

Keeping it reel,
Buddy

July 2011

This is the second newsletter where freshwater entries continue to outnumber the saltwater entries.  Flathead Catfish have taking three of the four “freshwater division categories” with Billy Nicar’s potential IGFA record Sunfish leading the remaining “general division”.  The saltwater scene has been “slow” this year and is still wide open with no 100 point Croaker, Bluefish, Spadefish, Flounder, etc., entries to date.  Lud Kimbrough was fly fishing the Turks and Caicos Islands recently and had the only saltwater entry.  Lud was using 8# tippet and landed a 3 pound Bonefish using a Leggy Shrimp Fly for a non-local catch.

Bob Brown and Parks Rountrey fished the James River above Richmond several times with some fantastic catches to show for it.  Bob was fishing alone for Smallmouth Bass and caught a 2 pound, 2 ounce fish to lead the “highest point species” category with 212 points.  Bob and Parks teamed up together on July 1st to catch several other leading fish.  Bob entered a nice Flathead Catfish, 22 pounds on 2# spin, which is worth 444 points. As of now, this fish will be the leader of the “freshwater spin division”.  Not to be out fished, Parks caught a 25pound, 8 ounce, Flathead on 4# fly for a “fly division” and “highest point species” new leader accounting for 540 points.  Then to top the day off, Parks also caught a 180 point, 9 pound, Carp, using corn for bait, for the “species” and “heaviest” leads.  Outstanding day of angling by both of them!

Fred Cousins and Reggie White haven’t given in to the competition yet and continue to have some good entries from Western Branch Reservoir.  Reggie caught the largest Sunfish, a 1 pound, 12 ounce, on 4# general worth 301 points.  Fred landed a smaller 1 pound, 10 ounce fish, on 2# general, but accounted for more points, 345, using live worms for bait.  Fred also had a nice 8 pound, 2 ounce, Channel Catfish on 2# general worth 259 points which is now the leader for the “highest point species” and “heaviest” categories.

Ryan Noland and Billy Nicar fished Western Branch the following day, June 16th.  Ryan’s entry was a 1 pound, 10 ounce, Shellcracker Sunfish worth 345 points.  Billy already has the 545 point Sunfish leader in every freshwater category and he did not score a better fish.

Billy Nicar has recently returned from his annual trout trip to Cripple Creek at Cedar Springs, Virginia.  Billy’s highest point Rainbow Trout entry is a 4 pound, 15 ounce, fish caught on 4# fly using a black woolley bugger.  He later caught a 5 pound, 1 ounce, Brown Trout on 2# spin for 316 points.  Both fish are the “heaviest” and “highest point species” leaders.

Mike Ostrander went above the fall line to catch a 4 pound, 4 ounce, Smallmouth on the James River on July 3rd.  Mike was using a minnow for bait to land the new Club Record fish.  I guess this proves that the Flathead Catfish haven’t eaten all of them!

Fishing on Lake Erie with his wife Ann, Steve Luterek sent in a card for a new Channel Catfish Club Record.  Steve was trolling a 3D worm harness to catch the 14 -1/2 pound catfish on 4# general.  Steve should have a little more time to target some of the larger freshwater species available on the Great Lakes since he is now one of the elite anglers who are retired.

For the last species entry of this newsletter, Danny Noland and I recently fished a private pond where Danny landed a Chain Pickeral worth 237 points.  The 2 pound, 6 ounce, fish was caught on a small purple jig on 2# spin and will lead both the “highest point species” and “heaviest” categories.

As mentioned earlier in this article, there are many saltwater species that remain to be caught before the end of our angling year.  The majority of the freshwater entries that have been entered so far are going to be hard to beat!  A minimum of a 100 point fish is required for an entry and possible award at the end of the year.

Keeping it reel,
Buddy

June 2011

The summer fishing season is getting better with the water temperatures increasing every day.  This month’s newsletter includes more saltwater entries as well as some exceptional freshwater entries.

New Member, Bobby Broughton, landed a Cobia on 12# spin off Oregon Inlet using a bucktail for a 233 point release.  This entry now is the “species” and “heaviest” leader. 

Charlie Fasano, another new member, entered a 0-9 pound Sunfish from Briery Creek on 6# spin for 102 points.

The members that were surf fishing Eastern Shore had some nice catches.  Fred Cousins started with a 13-0 pound Black Drum for 108 points and his top catch was a 29-0 pound Red Drum worth 207 points.  Bob Shepherd topped the Black Drum later that day with a 35 pounder on a peeler crab worth 291 points and the “species”, “heaviest”, “surf division” leads, plus a Club Record!  Bob had several other Channel bass, but his top entry was a 32 pounder for 228 points.  But, when it’s all said and done, Fred Murray doesn’t enter a card unless it’s a good one!  Fred finished the surf tournament with a 38-0 pound Red Drum worth 271 points which takes over both the “species” and “heaviest” leads.

Fishing offshore out of Oregon Inlet, Stuart Lee is still trying to put Glenn Carter on the elusive Dolphin on spinning tackle.  Stuart was trolling a weed line off the “point” giving Glenn several opportunities to cast to Dolphin following another hooked Dolphin to the boat.  The best gaffer got away when he was in the net and still managed to jump clear and throw the hook!  I know Stuart doesn’t carry any bananas on the boat either.  Glenn did land a 122 point, 5-1/2 pound Dolphin on 6# spin. 

   David Nobles had a “non-local” entry for a Permit he caught in Key West on May 20th.  David had a nice 24-1/2 pound fish on 20# general using a live crab for bait.  The Permit is worth 185 points.

Fishing off Hatteras last week, Mike Cline and Robbie Robinson had a really good week.  Steve Luterek and friend Donnie, from New York, were fishing with the Noland’s the same week and were “snake bite”!  To sum it up, Mike and Robbie had ~ six Blackfin Tuna, several good days of multiple Dolphin to 16 pounds, and to top it all off, Robbie landed a Sailfish on probably the roughest day of the week right after dropping lines!  Robbie’s Sail will lead the “species” and “general” saltwater divisions.  The Noland’s fished offshore several days with several Blackfin and Dolphin, but nothing to brag about except the photos we took of Robbies’ released Sailfish!  The wreck fishing was bad with lots of current and not a quality fish landed on live bait.  In fact, we had to swallow our pride to cook fresh fish several nights and ask Robbie and Mike to come over and “bring some fish”!  Thanks to them for providing the Tuna and Dolphin so Steve and Donnie had a few packs of saltwater fish to take back to Buffalo, New York.  Danny and I are still looking for the “banana” hidden on our boat!

On the freshwater fishing, Parks Rountrey was fishing with his granddaughter Memorial Day weekend on a private pond in New Kent.  Claire Wakinson, age 4, had several nice entries on 2# line which will go into the 0-6 age group.  She entered a 10 ounce Sunfish in the general division for 132 points.  Later, Claire, caught a 1 pound, 1ounce Crappie on 2# spin worth 168 points.  Claire is no rookie to fishing and has won the 0-6 youth division before!

Fred Cousins caught a 7 pound, 12 ounce, Channel Catfish in Western Branch Reservoir on 2# general to lead the “species” and “heaviest” divisions.

 Rob Brown was fishing a private pond with Bob Brown and entered an 11 ounce Bluegill on 2# spin for 231 points. 

The second week of June, Bob Brown and Parks Rountrey targeted the Flathead Catfish again this year on the upper James River.  Parks had entries in spin and fly with his best catch being a 23 pound Flathead on 4# fly worth 487 points.  His spin entry was not too shabby either which was a 21-8 pound fish on 4# spin worth 364 points.  Parks’ Fly entry leads the “species” and “fly” divisions.  Bob Brown had plug, fly, and spin entries.  His best entry is a 28 pound Flathead on 4# plug worth 474 points using a grub tail for bait.  Bob’s fish will lead the “plug division” and also the “heaviest” category.  Not a bad day on the river for both of them with six entries averaging 378 points!

No disrespect to Robbie’s Sailfish but, Billy Nicar probably had the most notable entry of the past month.  Billy began fishing for Crappie in a private pond and landed a 2-0 pound Crappie to take the lead for the “specie” and heaviest” divisions.  Then, he traveled to Western Branch Reservoir for the Redear Sunfish.  His best entry to date was a 1 pound, 12 ounce, Sunfish worth 372 points which is not bad.  Then on June 9th, Billy caught a “huge” 2 pound, 9 ounce, Sunfish using a nightcrawler on 2# line.  The fish had a 14” length and 14-15/16” girth!  The 545 point fish will take the “species”, “heaviest”, freshwater “general” division, and Club Record.  Billy is also entering the Sunfish with IGFA for a 2# potential World Record! 
Great catch!

There are still lots of open “species” with no entries this year, especially in the saltwater division. Check through the “basic weight” list and get those 100 point minimum entries!

Good luck,
Buddy

May 2011

The Shad fishing on the James River is about over, but the Stripers are showing up at the Rt. 95 bridge area.  There were numerous freshwater entries with only one saltwater entry this past month, but that should change soon.  The Black Drum and Channel Bass are being caught off Virginia’s Eastern Shore and the Hatteras Offshore Open Tournament is in full swing in spite of the high winds and big swell.  Recently, the surf fishermen have caught Red Drum and Bluefish at the southern end of highway12 in Hatteras.  The Hatteras tournament boats caught Tuna, Dolphin, Wahoo, Blue Marlin and White Marlin offshore this week.

Parks Rountrey started out April with several Hickory Shad entries with his heaviest being a 1 pound , 9 ounce fish and his highest point a 1 pound, 4 ounce on 2# fly for 178 points.  Later in the month, Parks was fishing a private pond with 2# tippet and landed a 12 ounce Sunfish and a 1 pound, 4 ounce Crappie.  The Crappie is worth 250 points and leads the “species” category.

Fred cousins and Reggie White were catching the last of the Shad run on the James River and Fred entered a 1 pound, 10 ounce Hickory on 2# fly for 232 points.  Several weeks later, Fred took his young neighbor fishing on the Chick for some gar fish.  Fred’s best catch was a 12 pound, 4 ounce gar on 2# line using a minnow.  The fish pulled 356 points and leads the “heaviest” category.

Bob Shepherd and Mickey Hopkins were fishing Lake Custis the middle of April.  Bob landed a 1 pound, 1 ounce Sunfish on 2# spin using a grub for bait.  The fish is worth 279 points and leads both the “species” and “heaviest” categories.

At the end of April, Bob Brown and Parks were fishing a private pond and each had Sunfish catches.  Bob had several entries with the most points coming from his 10 ounce entry on 2# fly.  He was using a shad fly for the 208 point entry.  Parks had a 180 point Sunfish on 2# spin using a jig.

David Nobles has been fishing a private pond in King William County recently.  David’s largest Sunfish weighed 14 ounces, but his highest point Sunfish was caught on a Wooley Bugger on 2# fly and is worth 229 points.  David also caught a 1 pound, 2 ounce Crappie on 2# fly for 225 points.  That pond holds some nice fish!

The single saltwater entry came from Lynn Spurlin.  Lynn was fly fishing in Venice, Louisiana, and caught Black Drum, Red Drum, and Spotted Seatrout.  Even though no high point fish were located by the guide, he had a great time and that’s what it’s all about!

Good luck,
Buddy

April 2011

The azaleas are blooming and the Shad are in the rivers.  Discussion at the board meeting this past Tuesday indicated that several boats had caught over 200 Shad per boat during the tournament last weekend.  It seems that the larger fish had arrived several weeks ago; and now, smaller Shad are being caught.   

Leroy Houser turned in his entry card for the “heaviest” Blue Catfish of the year.  Leroy and Gary Martel were fishing the James River, February 27th and landed several fish over 50 pounds.  The largest was the 76 pound, 8 ounce, Blue Catfish on 12# general worth 531 points and new 12# general Club Record.  The fish was also “released” to fight another day.

Fred Cousins and Reggie White went “Gar” fishing to Chipokes Creek in early March.  Fred caught a 9 pound Gar on 2# plug for 327 points.  But, Reggie managed to top that catch with a 11 pound, 14 ounce, fish on 2# spin worth 431 points.  Reggie’s fish now takes the lead for “spin division”, “species”, and also the “heaviest” category.  Later in the month, Fred and Reggie went back to the “Hot Ditch” for Speckled Trout. Reggie started it off with a 5 pound,12 ounce, Trout on 4# spin for 287 points.   That evening, Fred beat Reggie on points with a 5 pound, 10 ounce, Spotted Seatrout on 2# spin for 375 points.

Billy Nicar was fishing Raintree Lake on March 8th and caught a nice 8 pound Largemouth Bass.  Billy was using a jig to land the 266 point fish on 8# plug.  The Largemouth will take the lead for the “heaviest” division and is one of the more difficult entries for the Master Angler Award.

Bob Shepherd and Fred Murray were again fishing for Blue Catfish on the James River.  Bob ended the day with a 53 pound Catfish on 6# general for 498 points.  The fish is a little smaller than Bob’s earlier Blue Catfish entry of 57 pounds.

Robbie Robinson and Mike Cline fished the Chickahominy River the middle of March.  Mike had the best Ring Perch.  Mike was jigging a “blade bait” on 2# spin to land the 1 pound 4 ounce fish for 328 points.  The Yellow Perch will lead the “species” and “heaviest” categories.  Not to be outdone, Robbie went on a rampage to catch three “species” leaders.  Robbie first caught a 337 point Bowfin on 2# plug, a 4 pound, 8 ounce, Largemouth Bass for 300 points, and finally a 1 pound, 4 ounce, Crappie on 2# spin worth 198 points.  The Largemouth is also the 2# plug Club Record.  Not a bad day!

Fishing for Shad on St. Patrick’s Day at Weldon NC; Jim Sheffield and Mickey Kodroff had a successful trip.  Jim caught a 2 pound Hickory on 2# spin for 227 points and takes the “heaviest” lead.  The following day at Rocky Mount, Jim landed a huge 5 pound American Shad, using two shad darts, on 2# spin for 400 points.  The American Shad leads the “species” and “heaviest” categories.

Parks Rountrey fished the Elizabeth River one more time this Spring.  Parks finished the day with a 3 pound Spotted Seatrout on 2# spin for 200 points.  Parks was using a grub to catch this trout.

Brothers, Eddy and Nelson Johnston were Shad fishing the James River during the middle of the week to avoid some of the weekend crowds.  Nelson’s best catch was a 1 pound, 11 ounce, Hickory on 6# spin for 184 points using a dart for bait.  Eddy had the top fish for the day, a 1 pound, 12 ounce, Hickory on 2# tippet worth 250 points.  Eddy’s fish now leads both the “species” and “heaviest” categories for Hickory Shad.

David Nobles has been using some free time away from his CCA responsibilities to fish some ponds and creeks this year.  Fishing a private pond in Lanesville, Virginia, on March 22nd, David entered an 8 ounce Sunfish and a 5 pound, 13 ounce Largemouth Bass using a Golden Retriever fly on 6# tippet.  The Sunfish is worth 113 points and the Largemouth 290.  The following weekend, while fishing Beaver Creek, David landed a 2 pound, 2 ounce Rainbow Trout for 120 points on 4# fly. 
The saltwater fishing is beginning to pick up in Virginia with the Flounder and Croaker around the CBBT and rivers.  Off North Carolina, the tuna are getting more abundant along with large Dolphin and a few billfish being caught off Hatteras.  I’m looking forward to the winds to slow down a little! 

Good luck,
Buddy

March 2011

Freshwater fishing is getting better with the warmer weather as reflected by the number of entries received.  There were no entries for saltwater during the past month.  By the time the high water from the seasonal rains recede in the James River, the Shad and White Perch will be arriving in Richmond.

Leroy Houser and Bob Brown were fishing the James River together in early February. Leroy finished the day with a 51 pound Blue Catfish on 16# general for 302 points.  Bob entered a 42 pound Blue Catfish on 8# general worth 353 points.  Not a bad day.  Rumors are that Leroy and Gary Martel had a Catfish over 70 pounds; as of this newsletter, I haven’t received an entry .

Fred Cousins was also catching Blue Catfish in February.  Fred had two 30 pound entries.  The first fish was caught on the Chickahominy River on a Silver Buddy.   It was a 2# plug entry is worth 461 points and will take the lead for the “freshwater plug” division.  Fred and George Atkinson were fishing with Mike Ostrander for the second 30 pound entry.  Fred was using cut shad on 4# line for the 319 point fish.

Scott Johnston and Eddy Johnston were fly fishing on the Chickahominy River several days later.  Scott entered a Yellow Perch on 4# fly for 270 points which now is the “species points” leader.  Scott usually ties his own Clousers and they work!

The same day, Bob Shepherd and Fred Murray were also catfishing on the James River.  Bob turned in a huge 57-0 pound Blue Catfish, caught on 6# general, worth 536 points.  This fish is now the leader for the “species”, “heaviest”, and “freshwater general” divisions.  Not to mention that it will also be very difficult to beat before the end of the year.

Jeff Doughty took a week’s vacation to fish the James River and entered three different species for points.  His first entry was for a 10 pound, 8 ounce Bowfin, caught on 6# general worth 258 points.  The fish was caught on a live minnow.  Jeff’s next entries were for Crappie.  He entered three fish, with his best entry being 175 points.  It weighed 1 pound, 12 ounces, was also caught on a minnow.  Jeff’s last entry was for a 2 pound, 5 ounce, Largemouth Bass on 2# general for 123 points.  All three species will lead the “species” and “heaviest” divisions.

Parks Rountrey and Matt Balazik went to Chippoke’s Creek for Gar in late February.  Parks was using a jerk shad on 2# plug when he landed a 9 pound, 8 ounce fish.  The Gar is worth 345 points and is now leading the “species” and “heaviest” divisions.

Jim Sheffield had the final entry for this newsletter.  Jim caught a 27 pound, 8 ounce, “club record” Flathead Catfish from the James River.  Jim was using a minnow for bait and caught the fish on 6# general.  The flathead will lead the “species” and “heaviest” divisions with 321 points.

Now if the City of Richmond will clean the mud and debris off Ancarrow’s Landing, we will be ready for the Shad to arrive!

Good luck,
Buddy

February 2011

Since the past month, only a few entry cards have been submitted.  The cold weather has kept most anglers from fishing their favorite early spring fishing spots, except for a few hardy anglers.

Rob Choi and Fred Cousins have been back to the Elizabeth River for several more nice Spotted Seatrout catches.  Rob Choi fished at the end of December and caught a 4 pound, 4 ounce trout, using a Mirrolure on 2# spin worth 283 points.  Several weeks later on January 16th, Fred landed a 6 pound, 12 ounce Spotted Seatrout on 2# spin for a total of 450 points.  The Speck takes the “species”, “heaviest”, and “spin division” leads.  That’s going to be hard to beat!  Larry Allen still holds the club record of 6 pounds, 13 ounces, for 2# spin.

Parks Rountrey and Bob Brown were fishing the James River the same day, the 16th, for Gar.  Parks turned in a card for a 9 pound fish on 2 # plug worth 327 points.  The fish was caught on a “soft plastic bait” and is the current leader in the “species”, “heaviest”, and “plug division”. 

Bob Brown and his son Rob, went to the Chickahominy River at the end of January for some Yellow Perch.  Bob landed a nice Perch on 2# fly for 375 points.  The fish weighed in at 1 pound, 2 ounces, and ties the current club record Scott Johnston currently holds.  It also ties the freshwater fly division lead with Fred Cousin’s White Perch.  Just Bob’s luck though, the VAC accepts no ties and the “early entry” will still maintain the record and the division lead.  Sorry about that Bob!

Mike Cline and Robbie Robinson have been fishing the Chick lately and said that the dam repairs are keeping the water dirty at the upper end.  Also, the male Yellow Perch were full of milk several weeks ago.  Time is running out on the spawning females.  Hopefully, a break in the weather will give us a few good fishing days before they are gone.

Good luck,
Buddy

January 2011

The new 2011 fishing year began the same as did last year, a cold December!  The early cold spell caused the water temperature to drop rapidly in the bay and the Stripers to leave our waters heading either outside the 3-mile limit or south to North Carolina. We are left wondering what the Striper season could have been.  Only a few VAC members got a chance to enjoy catching the larger fish.  Best fishing tale I heard was of Fred Murray fishing with Stuart Lee off eastern shore early in the month.  They broke ice at the ramp to get the boat in the water, but found fish and stayed on top of Stripers most of the day.  They had the luxury of catching them on fly rods with little other pressure from other boat traffic.  Great day!

Scott Johnson started the season off by fly fishing at Rudee Inlet in early December.  Scott’s best catch was a 2 pound, 9 ounce, Spotted Seatrout on 6# fly for 128 points.  Of course, Scott was leading all the categories since this was the first entry of the year.  Then, Fred Cousins started fishing his favorite place during the winter months, the Hot Ditch off the Elizabeth River.

Fred’s first entries from the Elizabeth River are dated December 18th.  This is about the time the Chesapeake Bay temperature was falling and very few fish were being caught north of the bay bridge tunnel.  The first entries were White Perch.  Fred had a 1 pound, 4 ounce, on 2# spin for 328 points and 45 minutes later he caught a 1 pound, 2 ounce, Perch on 2# fly for 375 points.  Both of these fish are “division” and “species” leaders.  The 1-4 pound fish will also take the “heaviest” lead.  On the same trip, Fred caught a 5 pound Striped Bass on 2# fly worth 166 points.  This 5 pound fish will take all the leads for Striper.  Last year at this time, Parks Rountrey had a 35-8 pound Striper for all the leads which was typical of the quality of fish usually caught in December. 

Several days later, Fred took Reggie White with him to the Hot Ditch.  Reggie must have lost the “horseshoe”, because there were no entry cards from him!  Fred did manage another “species”, “heaviest”, and “division” leader with a 4 pound, 7 ounce, Spotted Seatrout that he caught on 2# spin.  The trout was worth 295 points.

Reggie and Fred were again fishing together on Lake Anna a week later.  I believe it was here that Fred earned the nickname “Fernpod” by Reggie.  Fred did enter a landlocked Striped Bass on 2# spin using a Mirrolure for bait.  The fish weighed 5 pounds, 10 ounces.  Again, no entry cards from Reggie!

Rob Choi braved the cold and was fishing his kayak on the Elizabeth River at the end of December.  Even with the rumors of the river being overfished, Rob did manage a nice 4 pound, 4 ounce, Spotted Seatrout on 2# spin.  Rob’s fish is worth 283 points; a good beginning for the fishing season.

The cold weather should break in a few weeks; hopefully, the fishing will pick up!  So far, it is the Fred Cousin’s fishing show!

Happy New Year,
Buddy