Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 14, 1994 TAG: 9407220068
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Bill Cochran
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The resurgence of this species began last summer and has accelerated during recent weeks, accounting for more than 200 citations in the 1994 Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament. That's more than for any other species.
In the mid-1980s as many as 150 to 250 boats would gather in a relatively small spot on the Chesapeake Bay, just off Cape Charles, to catch black drum. From the size of the crowds, you might figure the drum had a whale of a press agent, since it is as ugly as a freshwater carp.
But the excitement came from the fact that this species gave anglers a chance to catch a huge fish - 70 pounds or more - without taking long boat rides and spending big bucks.
Then the drums fell silent, anglers went elsewhere and the huge charter boat fleet at Cape Charles virtually disappeared.
Now the drums are back, only at a different place and different time of the year.
The new fishery is along the rock islands of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, and it is a summer fling, rather than the spring affair of previous years.
The biggest catch so far has been a 96-pounder. It takes a 70-pound drum to earn a citation in the tournament. Forty-four catches have been recorded, but most of the citations - thankfully - have been catch-and-release. The tournament has registered 160 of them.
JUST DUCKY: The new Duck Stamp features a pair of red-breasted mergansers by Lincoln, Neb., artist Neal Anderson. It is the second time Anderson's work has adorned a federal duck stamp. The 1989 stamp featured a pair of lesser scaups by the artist.
Roanoke artist Dee Watson attended first-day sales ceremonies in Lincoln, bringing the first batch of stamps to the area. They now are available at post offices, selling for $15 and required of waterfowl hunters age 16 and older.
The stamps and prints are prized by collectors, as well as conservationists. The stamp program began in 1934 and has generated $450 million to acquire more than 4 million acres of wetlands for wildlife habitat.
There may be more ducks to go with the stamps this year. Wetlands conditions across the prairies of Canada and the United States are greatly improved, Ducks Unlimited reports. The result has been an increase in the number of breeding and nesting waterfowl, the agency said.
TOP SPOTS: Reports of some of the best fishing are coming from Lake Moomaw, where trout anglers have been landing browns weighing 5 to 7 pounds. Most are being caught at night under lights, but a few are being hooked by trollers.
Walter Hamilton Jr. of Stuarts Draft got a 6-pound, 12-ounce brown.
You've heard that name before? Hamilton's dad was the angler who recently caught a 3-pound, 11-ounce crappie from Moomaw. The Hamiltons were back after crappie when the trout was hooked.
Of course, you couldn't expect to top a 3-pound, 11-ounce crappie, could you? Well, the elder Hamilton did. He landed another huge crappie, this one weighing 3 pounds, 15 ounces.
BIG ON BOWS: Sponsors of the second Children's Miracle Network 3-D Archery Tournament say this year's event could be one of the biggest gatherings of bowhunters ever in Virginia. The July 30-31 tournament near Galax is sponsored by the New River Bowhunters and Wal-Mart of Galax. Registration is 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. Tony Hall, a club officer, is the source for information by calling 236-8379.
The host of the event is Dan Fitzgerald, who will conduct a whitetail seminar at 7 p.m. July 30 at Carroll County High School. Tickets may be purchased in advance for $6 at Wal-Mart stores in Galax, Salem and Christiansburg. Admission is $8 at the door
Proceeds from the shoot will help pay hospital costs for needy children, Hall said.
by CNB