Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 19, 1993 TAG: 9308190018
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BILL COCHRAN
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
But do you also need the right address to join the elite list of anglers who have caught 40-pound-plus stripers this season?
Berry is from Greensboro, N.C. All but three of the seven 40-pound-plus striped bass catches that we are aware of this season have been taken by fishermen from North Carolina. That includes the largest, a 44-pound, 15-ounce giant landed by David Snider of Sea Grove.
The catch by Berry, taken on a Sutton Spoon, was unusual because it was landed late in the season. Most of the heavyweights are females carrying extra cargo in the form of eggs, so that means they are taken somewhere between late winter and late spring. In fact, five of the state's top seven stripers - all Smith Mountain fish - were caught during the five-day period April 17-21. Mark that on your calendar for next season!
\ JUST DUCKY: Andy Thurston, who operates a store near Leesville Lake, was taking some time off at Bernard's Landing on Smith Mountain Lake recently when a bass of about 3 1/2 pounds attracted his attention as it moved into the shallows.
When a mother duck and a duckling approached, the bass grabbed the duckling, pulling it under the water. The hen duck dived underwater, grabbed her duckling and pulled it from the jaws of the fish.
\ ON TARGET: Bill Myers, from Leetown, W.Va., established a world record while shooting in an IR 50/50 .22 rifle match on the Roanoke Rifle and Revolver Club range in Franklin County. Myers scored 248 of a possible 250 in the 13 1/2-pound rifle class. The match was sanctioned by the International Rimfire Association.
Ben Amonette of Radford took the silver medal in air pistol competition during the U.S. International Rifle & Pistol Championship in Chino, Calif. He fired a 649. Getting the gold was Greg Derr of Marshfield, Mass., who scored 657.
\ BIG CATS: Fishermen have been reeling in bragging-size catfish: a 31-pound, 11-ounce flathead from Claytor Lake, a 22-pound channel cat from Gatewood Reservoir, several 20- to 22-pound flatheads from the Roanoke (Staunton) River below Leesville dam.
Bass schooling on the surface after baitfish have been providing action for fishermen at Kerr and Philpott lakes. One angler at Kerr landed a 6-pound, 10-ounce largemouth.
At Briery Creek Lake, one angler reported catching nine bass in the 15- to 20-inch bracket. Bass fishing also has been productive at Smith Mountain and South Holston lakes. Mark Weddell of Christiansburg got a 4-pound, 14-ounce smallmouth at Claytor Lake.
\ STREAM BASS: Major rivers, such as the James, New and Shenandoah, have been producing good smallmouth bass and sunfish action.
Fishermen on the New must deal with a good bit of moss and algae, but anglers using light tackle have been loading up on small bass and panfish. John Kelly of Pearisburg has discovered that if you go to slightly larger lures and heavier tackle your total catch will decline, but the size of your fish will increase. He has been catching bass that measure 16 inches or better.
\ PARK SCHEDULE: Campers will be able to view the fall foliage through the door of their tent or the window of their RV in 11 state parks this year. That's how many park campgrounds will remain open past labor Day.
"We wish we could keep all of them open," said Gary Waugh, public relations manager for the Department of Conservation and Recreation. But the lack of funds has been curbing the fall schedule, which means a Labor Day closing for many facilities.
Campgrounds scheduled to stay open through Oct. 31 are Claytor Lake, Douthat, Grayson Highlands, Occoneechee, Pocahontas, Seashore and Westmoreland. Open through Nov. 28 will be campgrounds at Bear Creek and Kiptopeke. False Cape and Sky Meadows will offer primitive hike-in camping year round.
Cabins will be open in Douthat, Hungry Mother, Seashore and Westmoreland through Sept. 27. The rest close Labor Day.
by CNB