ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, March 14, 1996 TAG: 9603140045
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: OUTDOORS
Page Nelson is wondering about the new limit on trout at Moomaw Lake: two
fish that must be 16 inches or more in length per day. A lot of young fish are
being killed when they are released, he believes.
Nelson, who lives in Fincastle, said he had quit fishing Moomaw for that
very reason.
SOURCE: BILL COCHRAN
``I just hate to kill fish,'' he said. ``You are obligated to throw them back, whether they are alive or dead or any other way. We catch those small ones and throw them back as dead as 4 o'clock.''
The more restrictive size and catch limit went into effect last season on Moomaw, Philpott and Flannagan lakes. The purpose is to manage these impoundments as trophy trout water, said Paul Bugas, a state fisheries biologist.
In the mid-1980s, 2,530-acre Moomaw, northeast of Covington, was producing nearly 500 brown trout citations annually. That number declined significantly in the '90s. Bugas believes the new regulations, along with adjustments to improve the lake's trout habitat, can enhance trophy trout fishing, although he doesn't expect it to return to the glory days.
When the size limit was 10 inches, too many small trout were being removed from the lake, he said.
Bugas doesn't argue with Nelson's belief that half the young trout die after being released, especially when bait is used during hot-weather months.
``Even if we accomplish only 50 percent survival, we still are releasing fish back to the lake that have another opportunity to grow,'' he said. ``If a trout is put into a cooler, it doesn't have that opportunity.''
JACKSON REVERSAL: The case to determine who has the right to fish the Jackson River below Gathright Dam has more twists and turns than the river itself.
Now the Virginia Supreme Court has overruled itself and will hear the appeal of anglers regarding fishing rights where owners claim crown grants.
``Members of the Jackson River Defense Fund were ecstatic at the court's change of heart,'' said Jim Brewer, a Charlottesville tackle shop operator who has labored to make the stream a first-rate public fishery.
Brewer is scheduled to be the guest speaker at the March 20 meeting of the Roanoke Chapter of Trout Unlimited. The meeting is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Science Museum at Center in the Square.
NO ARGUMENT HERE: The Smith Mountain Striper Club and the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries often are at odds, but there is one common agreement: Both believe catch-and-release is harmful to striped bass.
When you catch your limit of two stripers at Smith Mountain Lake, you should quit fishing, they say. Staying on a school of fish and catching and releasing them results in mortality, especially during hot weather.
``I would like to see, personally, a change from a creel limit to a catch limit,'' said Joe Brubaker, president of the striper club. ``When you catch two fish, you quit. That is what we emphasize in the club. When you find the fish, you don't sit out there and cull them. Those are the fish that we need to keep our fishery going, and it hurts the fishing.''
BRAGGING SIZE: Briery Creek Lake has produced another trophy largemouth bass, this time a 9-pounder that was released.
An 18-pound, 14-ounce striped bass was caught at Claytor Lake by Dennis Fox, who was using live bait. Steve King got a 14-pound, 11-ounce Claytor striper on a bucktail.
SKI TILL EASTER?: An early start, heavy snow, deep-freeze temperatures and, now, a late finish, likely will mean a record season for Southeastern ski resorts.
Snowshoe is reporting a base of 34 to 86 inches, and the West Virginia resort plans to operate into April. Winterplace is reporting 48 to 80 inches and Timberline 38 to 78 inches. All three continue to make snow.
In Virginia, Massanutten is reporting 35 to 65 inches of base and Wintergreen 36 to 60 inches. Only The Homestead in Hot Springs has closed for the season.
LENGTH: Medium: 74 linesby CNB