Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, January 28, 1993 TAG: 9301280023
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BILL COCHRAN
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
ANGLERS BEAT THE WINTER BLUES
Some trout fisherman may consider January to be the cruelest month - February, for certain - but anglers casting to special-regulation streams have been reeling in too many fish to join the lament.The relatively mild winter, coupled with excellent stream flows, has resulted in the finest winter trout fishing in recent memory. Here's a look at the highlights:
\ JACKSON RIVER: Immediately below Gathright Dam, the river has been producing daily black fly hatches, which cause trout to swirl to the surface by the dozens.
"They are just like clockwork," Steve Hiner of Blacksburg said of the hatches.
What patterns to try?
"Just anything small," Hiner said.
Tiny might be more accurate. Many angers are casting Nos. 22 to 28 flies, which are little more than wind-blown specks. Productive colors are black, olive and brown.
Most of the fish are 8 to 12 inches, with a 16-incher taken occasionally, say the people at the Alleghany Trappers Supply downstream. The Jackson was stocked in December, which accounts for many of the smaller trout. The larger fish are carry-overs.
Hiner is delighted with the increasing number of brown trout he is hooking.
"I've caught more pretty browns this winter than last," he said, pointing out that the fish are losing their washed-out look and taking on more color.
All trout caught in the Jackson below Gathright must be released alive.
\ SMITH RIVER: This stream is at its best during the Mayfly hatches of May and June, but winter anglers have blue-wing olive hatches to match. Midge and nymph patterns also can be productive.
Most likely you will have to go down to a size 20 to 22 to match the olive hatches, so if you want to cast something you actually can see, Robert Bryant recommends Nos. 12 to 14 nymphs. The dean of Smith River anglers, Bryant is manager of the Orvis store in Roanoke.
When there is a blast of Arctic air, the Smith River trout can become docile, but that really hasn't occurred this winter, Bryant said. He prefers to fish the upper portion of the river, as it flows from Philpott Dam, because the water likely will be warmer. The season ends Feb. 1 on the upper Smith - as is the case for other stocked streams - but the 3 miles of special-regulations water below Towne Creek is open year round.
\ BROOKIE STREAMS: One of the best kept secrets of winter trout fishing is the fact that native brook trout can become quite active when the sun smiles down on their high-country habitat.
Most of the streams are small and shallow enough that a warm day can prick the enthusiasm of both insects and trout, Bryant said.
\ BACK CREEK: The section of this stream immediately below VEPCO's pump-storage project in Bath County was classified as a delayed-harvest stream beginning Jan. 1. That means anglers must use artificial lures with a single hook during the cool-weather period of Oct. 1 through May 15, and only two trout 16 inches or longer may be kept. The rest of the season, the stream is operated as a regular put-and-take water.
Back Creek recently was stocked, meaning there should be plenty of trout for anglers casting flies or spinners.
\ OTHER STREAMS: The upper Dan River, White Top Laurel and Moormans River are excellent cold-weather choices.
Special-regulations streams, such as the Rapidan River and Mossy Creek shouldn't be overlooked, nor should Cascades Creek, a fee-fishing stream operated by The Homestead in Bath County.