Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 31, 1990 TAG: 9005310520
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-3 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: Bill Cochran
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"The fellow who can't go back and catch trout at any stream that has been stocked the last week or two, there is something wrong with him," said Sgt. Dennis Mullins, a state game warden who lives in Botetourt County. "The streams should be full of fish."
And full of water, too.
Rains this week increased the size and volume of most streams, a fact that favors the trout over the trout fisherman.
Officials of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries say they believe trout stocking has gone well this year, following efforts to make it tougher for fishermen to learn when the hatchery truck would arrive at their favorite stream.
"We haven't heard any great number of complaints," said Gary Martel, assistant fish chief for the agency.
"I got some favorable comments from people who said they could go back a second time [after a stream had been stocked] and still catch fish," said Mullins.
Even so, there were fishermen who worked as hard at trying to find when the hatchery truck would arrive as they did at trying to entice trout. They would wait for the truck at the hatchery gate or position themselves along the highway, at spots like Hanging Rock and Arcadia, ready to call their buddies when the truck rolled by.
"There is no way to stop that," said Mullins.
Officials are holding 63,000 trout in state hatcheries for stocking this fall, with the idea of releasing them in October and early November if stream conditions are favorable, Martel said.
Fishermen at Philpott Reservoir have been reeling in excellent walleye catches during a 11 p.m.-to 2-a.m. time frame. Mike Adams of Bassett used a Bomber lure to catch walleye weighing 7 pounds, 2 ounces and 5 pounds, 12 ounces.
Striped bass fishing has remained slow at Smith Mountain Lake, although some anglers have landed 20-pound plus fish, mostly at night.
"It is getting into a typical summertime pattern," said Melvin Crusson, who operates the Minnow Pond tackle shop in Hardy. "I think when the water clears up we are going to see a terrible burst of good striper fishing."
Most lakes, and all streams, in the region are discolored by recent rains. Kerr Lake is pushing back into the shoreline willows, reaching elevation 305 by mid week.
"It's top-water time," said Jim Abers, a lake guide. The bass had spawned and were moving to deeper water and points when rains brought the lake level up, returning the fish to shoreline brush. With the water and water temperature rising in unison, excellent surface fishing is the result, Abers said.
At Gaston, bass are holding to stumps in shallow water where several 5-pounders are being reported.
Claytor Lake has produced some 3 1/2-to 4-pound walleye.
Moomaw Lake fishermen have been reeling in a few 8-to 9-pound brown trout and an occasional jumbo-size crappie, like the 3-pounder landed by Terry Mullins of Clincho.
Hunters who have a trophy deer head that they've longed to have measured for for Boone and Crockett recognition will get that opportunity Saturday and Sunday during the Old Dominion Buck and Bass Classic 1990 at the Salem Civic Center. Two officials scorers for the national big game organization will be present, said Lawrence Barger the show promoter. The cost will be $4 per trophy.
The show also will recognize trophy bucks killed during the past season, offering cash prizes of $150 for the best typical and non typical heads. Second place heads receive $75. They must be entered by 3 p.m. Saturday, Barger said.
by CNB