ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, March 11, 1996 TAG: 9603110014
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BILL COCHRAN OUTDOOR EDITOR
Trout fishermen who feel they have been robbed of opening day can return to tradition at three public fishing areas Saturday.
There will be the clock watching, the crowds, the anticipation, the tangle of nerves, lines and traffic at Douthat Lake, Crooked Creek and Big Tumbling Creek. These three pay-fishing facilities, operated by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, will have the old, 9 a.m., third Saturday in March beginning.
With the new year-round season making the pay areas the only game in town for fans of an opening day, larger than ever crowds are expected, said Joe Williams, a biologist who manages Crooked Creek in Carroll County.
``I am expecting a much bigger opening day and opening week than we have had in the past, because of the fact that it is the only stream in the area that people know the fish were just put in,'' Williams said.
Crooked Creek is a low gradient meadow stream that flows through state-owned property five miles east of Galax. It is the least used of the state's three pay areas, but has had a reputation of producing trophy rainbow trout.
``We are expecting a big crowd,'' said Williams, who promised that the creek will be well stocked.
Big Tumbling Creek, located seven miles west of Saltville, also is being stocked heavily in anticipation of a large turnout, said Bill Kittrell, a regional fisheries manager.
``Hopefully, it won't be so crowded that it detracts people,'' he said. ``I feel confident the people who show up will have a good day. Let's hope the weather is nice.''
The Big Tumbling program includes 330-acre Laurel Bed Lake at the head of the stream. The lake will get 8,000 brook trout prior to opening day, Kittrell said. Located in a high-altitude bog, the lake is open to anglers fishing from the bank and from small boats that are paddle- or electric motor-powered .
Big Tumbling Creek crashes through a gorge in the state's Cinch Mountain Wildlife Management Area, forming deep pools, waterfalls and ledges. It will be stocked with 3,500 rainbow trout for opening day, Kittrell said. After that, it is scheduled to get fish every evening except Sunday.
Sixty-acre Douthat State Park Lake, near Clifton Forge, is the most popular of the fee areas. Bank and small-boat fishing is permitted. A four-mile stretch of Wilson Creek is included in the pay program and contains a children's-only fishing area.
The pay season at Big Tumbling and Crooked Creek ends Labor Day, but continues through September at Douthat Lake. State fish officials are considering an expansion of the pay season next year.
``We are going to be looking at the dates; doing some adjustments on them,'' said Larry Mohn, a state supervising biologists.
Some anglers have requested that that larger trout be stocked, but Williams said the state shouldn't compete with the growing number of private fee programs that specialize in trophy fish.
``By keeping it the way it is, we are not in competition with them,'' he said. ``We are offering a diversity of fishing opportunities.''
Anglers pay a $4 fee to fish the state pay areas. The money is earmarked for frequent stockings. All three areas have concession stands where visitors can purchase their daily license, tackle and food. Rental boats are available at Douthat.
There is primitive camping area at Big Tumbling Creek. Douthat Lake State Park has cabins and campgrounds near the lake.
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines ILLUSTRATION: GRAPHIC: Stinson. color. Map by staff: Virginia's fee-fishingby CNBpublic trout areas. color.