ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, April 21, 1997 TAG: 9704220002
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-8 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: Q & A - THE INSIDE ON THE OUTSIDE
SOURCE: BILL COCHRAN OUTDOOR EDITOR
Q. I plan to try one of the pay-fishing trout steam mentioned on a recent Outdoors page. Do you recommend any special tackle or techniques? K.C.
A. Make certain you have good line and a reel with a properly working drag, because you likely will be dealing with much bigger trout than you are accustomed to catching.
``There is a chance you might hook into a 5- or 6-pounder,'' said David Webb of the Fishing Hole tackle shop in Roanoke. ``You have to gear up a little heavier than you do for the stocked trout in public streams. Instead of using 2- and 4-pound line, most of the boys are using 6.''
As for lures and baits, Lacy All of Salem, the pay-fishing champ, says his three favorites, in order, are the Little Cleo, Roostertail and Joe's Fly in a muddler minnow pattern.
``I catch bigger trout on lures than bait,'' All said.
When it comes to bait, Power Bait is a favorite. It is so productive, Ray Cox, who operates Lake Back-O-Beyon on Glade Creek in Roanoke County, said he had given consideration to banning it.
One thing you learn: Pay-fishing trout seldom are pushovers. In fact, they can be a challenge to catch.
``Big'' describes gobbler season
Q. I read with interest the report of all the big turkey gobblers being killed. How come there are so many big ones? S.S.
A. The first full week of the spring gobbler season, hunters have had phenomenal success hearing big birds, calling big birds and killing big birds. Some game-checking stations report they are registering twice as many gobblers as usual, among them some 22- to 24-pounders. Leading a contest at the Hunters Den in Craig County is a 23-pound, 2-ounce tom, but what is even more spectacular is the fact that the average weight of turkeys being brought to the store, which is a big-game checking station, is better than 20 pounds.
``I think it is plausible that the mild winter has been less of an energy drain on all birds,'' said Gary Norman, the turkey research biologist for the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. That not only would explain the hefty size of the toms but also why fewer hens are with gobblers, a fact that can make the toms easier to lure to a call. ``If the hens also are in good condition, they may already be incubating nests,'' he said.
There is a down side to all of this. The season could be peaking early, even though it has a long way to go - until May 17. During a typical year, there are two peaks of gobbling activity, Norman said. You've got to wonder if the first peak occurred before the season opened April 12 and hunters now are working on the second peak.
``It may be that hens are nesting earlier this year,'' Norman said, ``which would be evident by their absence with gobblers.''
Have a question on the outdoors? Contact Bill Cochran, The Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke 24010; phone, 540-981-3395; e-mail billc@roanoke.com.
LENGTH: Medium: 59 linesby CNB