THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 24, 1996 TAG: 9610230661
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BOB HUTCHINSON
LENGTH: 28 lines
This is the season when most every saltwater angler in Hampton Roads gets tunnel vision for striped bass. Small wonder. Stripers have been showing up practically everywhere since the season opened last Thursday.
But there is one group of anglers who continue to turn up their collective noses at the thought of going striper fishing. They are the area's legions of speckled trout aficionados and a more dedicated group you will not find - and you'll find them scattered from the Eastern Shore Bayside to Ocracoke Inlet on the North Carolina Outer Banks.
Funny thing is that their devotion hasn't wavered, even though the 1996 speck season is off considerably compared to some previous years.
With many trout fishermen, it's almost like they're saying they had rather not catch specks than go after anything else, although it may be almost a sure thing, like stripers.
Specks are never a sure thing, even in a good year. That's the way of the trout. Still, there's always the possibility that you might get a 5-pounder and earn a citation award from the Virginia Salt Water Fishing Tournament (it takes only a 4-pounder in North Carolina).
Besides, any trout fisherman will tell you that a prettier fish does not exist, a claim difficult to debate. by CNB