Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 14, 1993 TAG: 9303160272
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Bill Cochran
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
FEE FISHING EXPANDED AT DOUTHAT
The trout season will open at 9 a.m. Saturday and continue 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. Some special regulations streams have more restrictive size and catch limits. These are listed in the 1993 Virginia Freshwater & Saltwater Fishing Regulations brochure, available from license agents or the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 4010 West Broad St., Richmond, 23230-1104; 804-367-1000.
The best fishing generally is March through May, when the water remains cool and weekly restockings take place. A few streams will be restocked as many as five times through May 29. Additional trout are scheduled to be stocked in the fall.
\ 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. A 50-cent license agent fee is charged with each sale.
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 age 65 and above are required to buy a $1 state fishing license and a $6.50 trout license, but they don't need a national forest stamp. Holders of the old $5 lifetime licenses, no longer available to senior citizens, need no other licenses.
Disabled fishermen can purchase a lifetime license for $5. Information is available from the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
Fishermen who aren't required to buy a license of any kind include:
Residents under 16 years 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.
The legally blind.
Non-resident trout fishermen may fish for stocked trout with a $6 non-resident five-day license plus a $30 non-resident trout license.
\ Pay fishing is available
Virginia has three fee-fishing areas where anglers are required to purchase a $4 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 at Big Tumbling Creek and Crooked Creek, but has been extended through Sept. 30 at Douthat Lake. After that, regular trout regulations apply. Fish officials say they will strive to stock a larger trout in fee areas this season.
Here's a look at the 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. Last year it was stocked several times throughout the season. This time it is scheduled to receive a preseason stocking only. It will get 8,000 brook trout prior to opening day.
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 634 (Allison Gap), left on 613 and right on 747. Primitive camping is available.
\ DOUTHAT LAKE: This 70-acre lake, in Douthat State Park near Clifton Forge, not only has trout but some warm-water species as well.
Fishing is done from the bank or from small boats. Rental boats are available at a concession, or you may bring your own car-topper. Electric motors are permitted. The park's A and C campgrounds will be open to accommodate fishermen. The camping fee is $8.50 plus tax. Park information is available by calling 703-862-7200.
The lake is on Virginia 629 north of U.S. 60. The fee area this year has been extended to include a 3.5-mile stretch of Wilson Creek downstream from the lake. The lake will have designated childrens' areas where youngsters can fish without paying a fee.
\ 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, even though it has the reputation of producing impressive numbers of citation-size rainbow trout.
\ Turn them back alive
Some streams or sections of streams have programs designed to add spice for the angler who enjoys fly or spinner fishing and who releases most of the trout caught. These streams operate under special regulations, such as small catch limits and large minimum-size limits. Most require the use of artificial lures with a single hook, some are for fly fishing only.
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, Jackson River in the upper Hidden Valley area of Bath 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
Other special-regulation streams are listed in the fishing regulations brochure.
\ Egging on the trout
Opening-day fishermen will garnish their hooks with everything from canned corn to worms to spinners to artificial flies. Here's a look at some of the most popular baits.
\ POWER BAIT boomed onto the market a couple of seasons ago and now is outselling salmon eggs two-to-one in some areas. Made by Berkley and several other manufacturers, it is molded on a hook, then fished much the same way as a salmon egg. Popular colors are orange, yellow, pink, white and, more recently, chartreuse, which was introduced last year and grabbed about 50 percent of the market.
A size 10 baithold hook is a good choice for fishing this dough-type bait. Using dry hands, mold it onto the hook in a ball shape about 1 1/2 times the size of a salmon egg.
\ SALMON EGGS come in a variety of colors and flavors. A couple of popular ones are the shrimp-scented pink and corn flavored yellow. It is prudent to carry two or three shades and flavors. A fish that has seen a bellyful of pink eggs, for example, might suddenly jump on a yellow one.
Keep your fishing line light and your hooks small for the best results. Hooks should have a needle point, so the eggs can be threaded without breaking. A size 8- or 10-salmon-egg style is a popular choice. Sometimes two eggs on a hook work better than one, especially in the early season.
\ 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 are free for a wiggling effect.
\ MINNOWS are a favorite bait of fishermen who realize that trout are fish eaters. 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 can 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. One of the most popular has been the Joe's Fly in a pattern that features a black fly and a gold-bladed spinner. Anglers have been grabbing up a new chartreuse pattern. Other productive spinners include the Panther Martin, Rooster Tail, Cottontail and Mepps. New this season is the Bang Tail.
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, especially a Mepps. Try different types, sizes and colors. Brighter 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 4-6 pound line, while less-accomplished ones might want to go a bit heavier, to eight-pound. Six-pound is a good, all-round choice. The lower and clearer the water, the lighter the line should be.
Start the season with fresh line, and as you fish, check it 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 using a size 6 hook, while the more-skillful fishermen may want to try a 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 10 to 15 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. They can help you reach difficult spots.
Leave your tackle box in your car and travel light with your equipment in a vest, shoulder bag, belt 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 downtown Roanoke, The Outpost in Hot Springs and Murray's Fly Shop in Edinburg.
Several of these establishments hold fly-tying and fly-fishing classes. They are good sources for information on fly-fishing opportunities in the state. Most have or know guides who will take you fly-fishing for a fee.
The fly fishermen - or even bait fishermen - searching for streams to fish will find information in a book titled Virginia Trout Streams A guide To Fishing The Blue Ridge Watershed. It is written by Roanoker Harry Slone and is available in many book stores.