Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 5, 1995 TAG: 9510050027
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BILL COCHRAN
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
``For all practical purposes, this is the beginning of the year-round trout season,'' said Martel, who is chief of the fish division of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
The department this year switched from a trout season that ran from mid-March to February and implemented a season that has no beginning or end. It does have one requirement: Trout streams must have suitable habitat for cold-water fish. In hot weather or drought - this autumn, for example - that habit often is lacking.
Smith River, in Henry County, flows cold and clear out of Philpott Dam and isn't as rain- and temperature-dependent as many streams. That made it a candidate for the first stocking of the year-round era.
The weather forecast looks as if it may contain enough rain to raise the level of streams, and if that happens, look for significant stockings that will last into the winter months. Wednesday, the Roanoke River in Roanoke and Salem and Cripple Creek in Wythe County were stocked.
One of the major benefits of the year-round season will be increased emphasis on cold-weather stocking. Fall stockings in recents seasons have numbered about 80,000 trout. Under the year-round program, fall-winter stockings will increase to 300,000, said George Duckwall, the department's trout cultural supervisor.
For one thing, there will be no waiting around for opening day, which traditionally has been the third Saturday in March. Trout anglers will be able to fish anytime they get the itch, and that includes February and early-March, periods that have been closed in the past, Duckwall said.
This week, the department implemented a phone line that will give anglers information on the latest stockings. The number is 804-525-FISH. The line has been established in the department's Forest office, which makes it toll-free in that area. Other callers will have to pay long-distance rates.
``We will update the stocking information daily after 4 p.m.,'' Duckwall said. ``With this information, fishermen should be able to know where to fish and they should catch something.''
``The new system is going to provide everyone with a lot more information,'' Martel said. ``We are trying to make the program more user-friendly for the anglers.''
Martel said he hopes the more frequent dispatches of information will reduce the number of hatchery truck followers.
Fish officials aren't certain how many calls to expect on the new line, but likely it will be significant.
``I don't doubt for a little while after 4 p.m. the line will get tied up and people will get a busy signal,'' he said.
GOIN' DEEP: Many fishermen at Smith Mountain Lake have been chasing bass and stripers that are surface feeding on the abundant threadfin shad. But Coy Renick went deep to land one of the best catches of the fall. So deep, in fact, he first through he'd hooked a catfish.
Renick, from Rocky Mount, was fishing the upper Blackwater River arm of the lake near the 4-H Center when something bumped his bait, then came back to swallow it.
It bit like a catfish and fought like a catfish, but when it came to the surface it was a 36-pound, 3-ounce striped bass.
``I knew it was just a matter of time before someone caught a big one,'' said Fulton Jones, who operates Magnum Point Marina. ``The stripers have been up in here thick.''
Smith Mountain will be sight of the 12th annual Customer Appreciation Invitational Bass Classic on Oct.14 at Bay Roc Marina. Information is available from area boat dealers or from Bay Roc, 890-2194. The entry fee is $25 and first prize is $1,500.
BY A CAT'S WHISKER: The winner of the flathead catfish contest at Cline's Bait and Tackle in Hollins was Rex Rigney, who entered a 23-pound, 5-ounce James River catch. That topped by 1 ounce a fish caught by Bob ``Catfish'' Wilson.
James Dudley of Lynchburg was the leading Virginia fishermen in the B.A.S.S. National Federation Eastern Division tournament on Lake George, N.Y. He earned a berth in the Wrangler/B.A.S.S. National Championship in April, which is a stepping stone to the BASS Masters Classic.
by CNB