THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 22, 1995 TAG: 9510200220
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 27 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Lee Tolliver
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
For the avid outdoorsman, fall is an exquisite time that poses the age-old problem - too many opportunities and too little time.
Even for those who don't have to work because they are retired or independently wealthy, there is just not enough time to explore all the possibilities.
And even for those of us with jobs that for one reason or another afford more outdoor time than most, there is still too little chance to do enough of those things that are dear to us.
It didn't take more than a few minutes' worth of daydreaming to come to these realizations.
Take some of the following examples, keeping in mind that even an experienced daydreamer couldn't possibly think of everything:
Let's start with landlubber qualities that are in most outdoorsmen.
Fall means hunting season - deer, birds, whatever is in season.
With less humidity and cooler nights, fall also is the best time to go camping or hiking in the mountains, or anywhere for that matter.
There also can be much joy in nothing more than a simple drive in the country, spent observing Mother Nature's bounty.
And for those of us with scales running through our veins, there is fishing. There are so many variations here that it is frightening to even attempt to ponder.
On lakes, streams and private ponds, the action this time of year gets hotter than tossing a lit match at a can of gasoline. In many cases, as bass feed in anticipation of a long winter, the action can be better than in the spring. It's good no matter what barometer you use.
Bluegills, crappie, perch and other species are equally willing to participate and provide just as much fun.
Especially in this area, saltwater action is no less varied or exciting.
For inshore bottom bouncers, spot, croaker and flounder are at the ready. Puppy drum are churning through their usual fall haunts and speckled trout - oh yes, the fantastic speckled trout - run through our thoughts as often as they do an incoming tide.
On any given day, the legions of anglers lining the shoreline of, and the fleets of boats anchored in, Rudee and Lynnhaven inlets can bear witness to the notion that these thoughts are shared by a good many.
Nor should we not forget another fish that causes a state of frenzy - the fabled striped bass.
On any given afternoon, as the sun sets on the horizon, the rockfish can provide top water action resembling the churning of a washing machine around the two southernmost islands of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, as well as the islands of the Hampton Roads and Monitor-Merrimac spans.
As the season progresses, the bigger fish move in and provide a different kind of action.
Just thinking about it is enough to cause spasms in your casting arm.
But let's not get so excited that we forget about tautog and sea bass, king mackerel and tuna.
There isn't enough time to think about all there is to do, much less time to go out and do it.
It's troublesome to ponder all the chances missed during this particular daydreaming session or as we grind out the never-ending list of chores and responsibilities that constitute everyday life.
So we are left facing the problem we have tried to cope with every fall, keeping in mind that there are those who have even less time than we.
And for all of us who share these same loves, no matter how often we get to enjoy them, it is of utter importance that we be thankful that we even have any such opportunities at all. by CNB