Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 16, 1995 TAG: 9503160048
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BILL COCHRAN
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Only this particular catch was made at Claytor Lake by Buzz Cecil of Dublin. Cecil's take also included a 141/2-pound striper.
Gone are the days when Claytor was a puny producer of stripers. A growing baitfish population in the 4,500-acre lake, located in Pulaski County, is turning striped bass fishing into a big-league affair that is destined to get even better.
Last year, Claytor was the third best producer of citation-size stripers (20 pounds or more) in Virginia. It ranked behind Smith Mountain Lake and Lake Gaston.
INCREASE STOCKINGS: The Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce/Partnership isn't happy with the number of striped bass being stocked. In a recent resolution, the organization asked the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to ``take immediate steps to substantially increase the stocking of striper fingerlings in Smith Mountain Lake.'' A copy of the resoultion was sent to Gov. Allen.
The resolution said that Smith Mountain Lake is losing its reputation as a premier striped bass fishery, and that could hurt the lake economically.
The chamber-partnership, which has kept quiet about fisheries management issues in the past, has drafted its resolution at a time when the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has a multi-year study under way to determine ways of enhancing striper fishing. The department has stated that simply dumping more stripers into the lake isn't the path to better fishing. The agency is experimenting with stocking a larger size fingerling for improved survival and scattering the stockings over a wider area.
OPENING DAY: Maybe it isn't a case of saving the best for last, but the final opening day of the trout season Saturday could provide excellent fishing. The weather and water conditions should be perfect, and anglers will have an opportunity to catch trophy trout. Some streams have been stocked with impressive numbers of citation-size fish.
"The fish are of super size and probably the stream conditions will be ideal as possible for an opening day," said George Duckwall, who is the trout cultural supervisor for the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. The recent balmy days should raise the water temperature enough to make the fish willing biters, he said.
There are a couple of last-minute changes in the stocking schedule. Removed from the stocking list for opening day are Cove Creek in Tazewell County and Tomahawk Pond in Shenandoah County. Added is Cedar Creek in Shenandoah County.
STILL SKIING: The battery on the 1994-95 skiing season is running down, but there's still some skiing even with the temperatures hitting the 70s.
On Saturday, Snowshoe, in Pocahontas County, W. Va., will hold what it is calling a Bump and Boogie Mogul Freestyle Competition. Winterplace in Flat Top, W. Va. has scheduled a weekend ``Beach'' Party, when participants will be invited to ski in shorts.
The mid-March snow depths range from 20 to 60 inches at West Virginia resorts. In Virginia, only Massanutten remains open, with an 18 to 36 inch depth reported Wednesday.
OTHER FISH TO FRY: Steve Young of Rocky Mount landed a 251/2-pound muskie at Smith Mountain Lake on a trip with guide Bob King. King caught a 171/2-pound striped bass.
Ricky Thomas of Stewartsville caught an 8-pound largemouth at Smith Mountain. The 21 inch citation-size fish hit a jig and pig lure.
Jerry Elder of Lynchburg won the recent Red Man Piedmont Division qualifier at Kerr Lake. Elder landed a limit of five bass that weighed 22 pounds, 6 ounces. He hooked the fish while casting a Shad Rap and a one-half ounce spinnerbait to points.
Rick Horst of Dublin caught a 51/2-pound smallmouth at Claytor Lake.
LONGER SEASON: Virginia's recreational striped bass season along the coast has been expanded from 32 days to 114 days. The dates are yet to be set.
Scientists say the number of spawning-age stripers in the Cheasapake Bay has increased 25 percent each year for the past four years.
by CNB