Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 11, 1990 TAG: 9003122735
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Bill Cochran
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The daily permits sold at Big Tumbling Creek dropped 35 percent. The decrease was 28 percent at Crooked Creek and 25 percent at Douthat Lake.
State fish officials say they are watching the trend with interest, but have no immediate plans to scrap any of the programs.
At the fee areas, fishermen pay $3.50 for a daily permit, which is required in addition to a regular fishing license. The permit money is used to keep the water heavily stocked.
Last season, the cost of a permit jumped from $2 to $3.50. Officials believe the increase played a role in the decline of participants; however, both Crooked Creek and Big Tumbling also experienced declines after the 1988 season.
"I would say the overall decline the last few years is related to the increased stockings in other streams," said Robert Wollitz, a supervising fish biologist for the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
In-season stockings now are conducted at many streams across the state from opening day through early June.
"I am sure that is playing a part in it," Wollitz said.
Douthat Lake, located in Douthat State Park near Clifton Forge, is the largest draw of the pay areas. Last season, 14,535 daily permits were sold there.
Big Tumbling Creek, near Saltville, sold 13,736; Crooked Creek, in Carroll County, 9,358.
The turnout at Crooked Creek was so low last year that some fishermen went away wondering if the pay program would be continued.
"The facility is not doing as well as we would like," said David Whitehurst, chief of the state's fish division.
Many of the anglers attracted to Crooked Creek are from North Carolina, and a boost in non-resident license fees last year may have kept some home, he said.
Memo: Outdoors-Trout