Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 19, 1995 TAG: 9503200061
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MELISSA DeVAUGHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WILLIAMSVILLE LENGTH: Long
Inside, a pot of chili simmers on the kitchen stove and a group of eager trout fishermen - anticipating Saturday morning - gather in a living room bedecked with deer heads and faded photos.
They're here to say goodbye to an era: Opening day is no more.
The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries in October approved a year-round trout season, making Saturday the last opening day. The time-honored tradition of showing up in droves to stocked trout streams is part of Virginia history.
Even though the change will allow people to fish all year long - without the crowds, trash or traffic - folks admit they will still miss the excitement of opening day.
"I've been coming up here since I was 10," said Richard Patterson of Roanoke. "I'd like to see [opening day] stay for the tradition, for the kids and the older people."
Patterson, who brought his 4-year-old son, Trae, with him for the big event, said he will miss the yearly gatherings with his buddies at Clover Creek, a jointly owned turn-of-the-century hunting cabin at the crossroads community of Williamsville, population: about 20.
"If we were coming here to actually catch fish, we wouldn't be here," he said. "It's just the getting together."
Patterson said he also sees the merits of switching to a year-round season, which Virginia Game Commission officials claim will result in larger trout - and more trout - in the streams and rivers.
"As far as the fishing's concerned, it'll be better," he agreed.
The move also allows hatcheries to operate more efficiently and stock streams when convenient, rather than scramble to meet the predetermined opening-day schedule.
"It will get me back to trout fishing - I like not knowing where the fish are," said Wayne Blount, who planned to avoid the hordes of anglers and scout the hunt club property farther up the road in Highland County. "I don't like the Super Bowl look to these mountains" on opening day.
Saturday morning arrived, promising to make up for years past, when snowdrifts or downpours dampened festivities. An aquamarine sky, broken only by the orange sun, reflected off the Bullpasture River. Eager men and women clad in waders and tackle vests waited by the river, fishing poles in hand, tackle boxes nearby.
At 9 a.m., almost in unison, they cast their lines, the four-, six- and eight-pound test playing from the rods like so many spider webs.
Immediately, Bill Bowling, an architect from Salem, pulled in a rainbow trout. His 2-year-old son, Will, squealed excitedly but refused to touch the wet, wriggling fish. Bowling said later he had more luck with salmon eggs and spinners than anything else.
Next - exhibiting exceptional ease for a 4-year-old - little Trae managed to pull in a small trout on his kid-size fishing pole. Richard Patterson proudly scooped up the fish in a net and handed it to his boy.
Mike Bowling of Fincastle, who was fishing with his new wife, Lori, caught a sleek rainbow within minutes, but his luck soon ran out. By lunchtime, the fish was still alone, cached on a stick by the river's edge.
"I've been using mostly salmon eggs and corn," Bowling said.
With the clear skies and equally clear water, the trout were not to be fooled for long. By 11 a.m., most folks along this stretch of the Bullpasture agreed the fish had quit biting. They also agreed the fish were small this year.
"It used to be, six fish couldn't fit into a gallon-size Ziploc bag," said Bill Wells of Amherst County. "But the crowds started to come here and [the Game Commission] started putting in smaller fish."
By noon, the banks of the river were empty and the Clover Creek gang headed back to the Hunt Club to feast on chili hot dogs.
Upstream in the Bullpasture Gorge of Highland County, the river was full of headstrong fishermen determined to come away with at least one prize.
By either beginner's luck or good training from his dad, Gary, Todd Creasy of Roanoke hit the jackpot on this, his first day ever of trout fishing. The 11-year-old boy pulled in five trout, using minnows as bait, while Gary Creasy nabbed one.
"I even let one go because it was too tiny," boasted the younger Creasy.
Gary Creasy said he was glad his son got to see what opening day is all about, but it doesn't mean they will never go fishing again.
"We'll always find time to fish," he said.
Other fishermen remained by the river, casting their lines into deep green pools shaded by overhanging trees.
They were in no hurry. After all, the weekend had just begun.
Wells and his friend, Stu Wynham of Auburn, Ala., were gearing up for a night of post-opening-day festivities.
"This might be the last time I see you," Wynham said to Wells. "That's what these [gatherings] were all about."
Wells told him not to worry.
"We'll just have to make a pact to have our own opening day," said Wells, who nonetheless agrees that the fish will be bigger and better with the yearlong system. "We'll have to keep coming up here like it never ended."
by CNB