THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 8, 1995 TAG: 9502070110
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Lee Tolliver
LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
This is the time of year when most fishermen only dream.
Two weekends ago, there was the Bass-a-Rama trade show at the State Fairgrounds in Richmond. Last weekend, there was the Bass Expo in Hampton. This coming week, there is the Mid-Atlantic Boat Show.
At all three events, anglers roam around in a daze of wonderment - gazing at all the neat things they can buy to be better prepared for the upcoming season. They stop in the middle of the isles and talk about fishing trips gone by, working themselves into a frenzy of anticipation of warmer weather and eager fish.
What amazes me is the fact that many of these people don't even realize that fishing can be pretty darned good right now.
That's right - now.
Yes, yes, it's cold outside - freezing all day Monday, in fact - but that's no excuse. With proper preparation, anglers can stay warm enough to enjoy themselves.
And Mother Nature is just as spectacular this time of year and she is during the other three seasons.
A recent trip to Western Branch Reservoir in Suffolk proved the point.
It was fantastically sunny, although chilly,in the mid-40s. The cold was taken care of with good quality boots, several layers of clothes under a snowmobile suit, and a warm hat.
The fishing was tough, but there were fish to be caught.
But catching fish isn't the most important aspect of angling.
On this day, the scenery almost kept the mind off fishing. There was the bald eagle pair that roost around the lake. Also a couple of red tail hawks. Their effortless flight is always amazing.
There were water birds galore. We even spooked a hedgehog that was scurrying around the shoreline.
At the Suffolk lakes, there is also the chance to watch playful otters and sometimes a beaver or two.
At times, the deafening silence is broken up only by a flock of blackbirds that decide for one reason or another that they need to move from one tree top to one across the lake. It's astounding how loud the flapping of their wings can be when there are about 1,000 of them doing it.
The point is, there are plenty of things to marvel at in the winter out-of-doors.
Don't let the cold air - nobody dislikes being cold more than I do - keep you from enjoying it. MEMO: Got an interesting sports-related story to tell. If so, call The Beacon
at 490-7228 and let us know about it, or write to The Beacon, Sports
Department, 4565 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, Va., 23462. The
fax number is 490-7235.
by CNB