Roanoke Times Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc. DATE: SUNDAY, March 18, 1990 TAG: 9003162715 SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C10 EDITION: METRO SOURCE: Bill Cochran DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The trout season opens at 9 a.m. March 17 and continues through Feb. 1. Except for the first day, the daily fishing hours are 5 a.m. until one hour after sunset.
The general limit on stocked streams is six daily. All fish under 7 inches in length must be released alive immediately. Catch and release may be practiced on any size trout. There are exceptions to the minimum size and creel limits on special-regulation streams.
The best fishing generally is March through early June, when the water remains cool and stockings occur, then again in the fall when stockings resume and water conditions improve after the hot summer months.
Not all need a license\ Fishing licenses are valid January through December. The cost of an annual resident fishing license is $12. A trout license is $6.50.
You need both to fish designated trout waters, and if those waters are in the Jefferson or George Washington national forests you also need a national forest stamp, which costs $3.
Sportsmen are given the option of buying a forest stamp that is valid July 1 through June 30 or Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, depending on whether they want it to run concurrently with the fishing or the hunting season.
Fishermen who aren't required to buy a license include:
Residents under 16 years of age.
Senior citizens who were born before June 30, 1922. (They should carry proof of age.)
Landowners, their spouses, children and minor grandchildren within the boundaries of their own land.
Tenants on the land they rent and occupy if they have written permission of the landowner.
Guests fishing individually owned private ponds.
Fishermen born between July 1, 1922, and June 30, 1923, are required to have only a trout license when fishing designated stocked waters. No fishing license or national forest stamp is needed.
Fishermen born after June 30, 1923, must purchase a $1 annual license and a trout license, but do not need a national forest stamp. The old, $5 lifetime senior-citizens license no longer is available.
Pay fishing is available\ Virginia has three fee-fishing areas where anglers are required to purchase a $3.50 daily license in addition to their regular fishing license. A trout license is not required.
Money from the daily fee is used for frequent restocking of catchable-size trout. The daily limit is five. The fee program has the same opening date as the general trout season. It ends Labor Day. After that, regular trout regulations apply.
Here's a look at the fee areas:
BIG TUMBLING CREEK: This is an aptly named stream that surges out of the mountains west of Saltville, creating a series of waterfalls and deep pools as it moves swiftly through the state-owned Clinch Mountain Wildlife Area.
At its headwaters is 330-acre Laurel Bed Lake, which is included in the fee program. Laurel Bed was stocked in November with 8,000 brook trout and 3,000 rainbows. Big Tumbling gets trout every day except Sunday.
The Big Tumbling area is reached by turning off Interstate 81 at the Chilhowie exit and following Virginia 107 north to Saltville. At Saltville, turn left on Virginia 91, then right onto 636 (Allison Gap), left on 613 and right on 747. Permits will be sold near the entrance by a new concessionaire. Primitive camping is available.
DOUTHAT LAKE: This 70-acre lake, in Douthat State Park near Clifton Forge, gets trout twice a week during the fee season. The lake also includes some bass, bluegill, pickerel and catfish.
Fishing is done from the bank or from small boats. Boats are available at a concession, or you may bring your own car-topper. Electric motors are permitted. The park campground will open two weeks early to accommodate opening-day fishermen. Cabins open later. Park information is available by calling 703-862-7200.
The lake is on Virginia 629 north of U.S. 60. The fee area includes a marked section of Wilson Creek.
CROOKED CREEK: This meadow stream, near Galax in Carroll County, can be reached by turning left off U.S. 58 onto Virginia 620 west of Hillsville.
It draws fewer fishermen than the other pay areas, but it is a major producer of trophy-sized rainbow trout.
Turn them back alive\ Some streams or sections of streams have programs designed to add spice to the life of a fly fisherman or spinner angler who likes to release most of the trout caught. These streams operate under special regulations, such as small catch limits and large minimum-size limits. Most such waters require the use of artificial lures.
The better-known examples are a portion of Smith River in Henry County, Little Stoney Creek in Giles County, Mossy Creek in Augusta County, Rapidan River in Madison County, Stewart's Creek in Carroll County, Back Creek immediately below the Vepco pumped-storage complex in Bath County and South River in the City of Waynesboro.
A list of special streams and the regulations that apply can be found in a free digest titled "Virginia Fishing Regulations" available at license agents or from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, P.O. Box 11104, Richmond 23230.
Egging on the trout\ Bait, properly fished, can be the surest way to catch trout from stocked streams. The choices of most fishermen are salmon eggs, corn, worms and Berkley Trout Bait (Power Bait).
SALMON EGGS come in a variety of colors, and even flavors, such as cheese and shrimp. It is prudent to carry more than one type. A fish that has seen a bellyful of orange eggs, for example, might suddenly jump on a yellow one.
Keep your fishing line light and your hooks small for the best results with salmon eggs. Hooks should have a needle point, so the eggs can be threaded without breaking. Sometimes two eggs on a hook work better than one, especially in the early season.
POWER BAIT is the hot new trout offering on the market. It is molded on a hook and fished much the same way as salmon eggs. As with salmon eggs, it is wise to switch colors from time to time. The choices are orange, yellow, pink and white.
CORN is the least expensive of the processed baits. Simply use a can of whole-kernel corn off the grocery store shelf. One to three kernels on a hook generally is all that is necessary.
WORMS fall into several varieties, including night crawlers, red wigglers and the garden kind you can dig yourself. They can work especially well when the water is up and discolored after a rain. Hook them so the ends will be loose enough to give a wiggling effect.
MINNOWS are a favorite bait of some of the most successful fishermen. A small minnow often will entice a trout that has seen and rejected a variety of corn, salmon eggs and worms. Minnows can be a pain to obtain and transport, but few live baits will equal their success in the hands of an accomplished fisherman.
Spinners entice trout\ Small spinners or fly-and-spinners are excellent for catching trout. They require more skill than bait and can be viewed as a link between bait and fly fishing.
Be aware, though, that spinners fished when streams are crowded can tangle the lines and the nerves of other fishermen.
Under most circumstances, choose lures that have spinners about the size of your little fingernail. Popular brands include the Panther Martin, Rooster Tail, Cottontail, Joe's Fly and Mepps.
The best weights range from about 1/64th to 1/16th ounce, but in large streams and discolored water a larger size can be productive. Try different types, sizes and colors. Bright colors can be an excellent early season choice; darker ones later on. Make certain the blade is spinning when you fish the lure.
Say no to heavy tackle\ Trout can be caught on a variety of tackle, but they are at their best when savored on lightweight gear.
An ultralight spinning rod equipped with a small, high-quality open-faced reel will be the choice of accomplished fishermen. The rod should be sensitive and flexible enough to cast delicate baits and super-light lures. It should be equipped with hard-polished, friction-free guides to protect the line.
Line choice should be light. Seasoned fishermen will use 4- to 6-pound line, while less-accomplished ones might want to go a bit heavier, to 8 pound. The lower and clearer the water, the lighter the line should be.
Start the season with fresh line, and as you fish, check the line frequently by running your fingers over the terminal portion to detect nicks and abrasions. Trim off the last foot or so and retie the hook when a weak spot is found.
When choosing hooks, keep in mind that trout have a relatively small mouth. Beginners may feel more confident with a size 6 hook, while the more-skillful fishermen may want to try an No. 8 or 10. The bigger the hook the smaller the number. Purchase hooks made of light-gauge wire so baits can be threaded on them with the least damage.
You'll need split shots to affix to your line in order to add enough weight to get your bait or lure to the proper depth. Keep them small and use no more than conditions merit. Place them about 10 inches above your bait or lure.
Other equipment generally worth carrying includes long-nosed pliers to dislodge hooks and fasten split shots, a landing net and a creel or stringer to carry your catch if you plan to keep fish.
Hip boots make it considerably easier and more comfortable to fish most streams, especially during the early season.
Leave your tackle box in your car and travel light with your equipment in a vest, shoulder bag or even in your pockets. Wear layers of clothing so you can put it on and take it off as the temperature changes during the day.
Fly fishing takes off\ Interest in fly fishing is growing rapidly. There are a number of quality fly shops where anglers can get help on equipment, fly selection and techniques. Among them are Orvis in Roanoke, Bryant's Sporting Goods in Martinsville, The Outpost in Hot Springs, Murray's Fly Shop in Edinburg and Mossy Creek Outfitters in Bridgewater.
Several of these establishments hold fly-tying and fly-fishing classes. They are are good sources for information on fly-fishing opportunities in the state. Most have or know guides who will take you fly-fishing under a fee system.
Fly fishermen, as a rule, generally get started in earnest after the initial crowd of opening day. With that in mind, Orvis, on the Roanoke City Market, has scheduled fly-fishing seminars Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The store will bring in its guides to talk to customers, and a fly-tying demonstration will be conducted by Charlie Hartwell, a West Virginian who ties for President George Bush.
Memo: outdoors-trout