DATE: Monday, November 10, 1997             TAG: 9711100138

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C7   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY BOB HUTCHINSON, OUTDOORS EDITOR 

                                            LENGTH:   34 lines

WEEKEND FISHING

Because of the windy, rainy weather of the past week, many anglers scrubbed their planned outings. But some braved the elements and made impressive hauls.

Topping the list was the first citation-winning striped bass caught along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel this season. The fish, 45 inches long, was released by James C. Wright of Virginia Beach on the Sea Cat.

Wright also scored with a 6-pound flounder, giving him 13 citation awards for the year and tying him with Carolyn Brown, also from Virginia Beach, for Angler of the Year honors from the Virginia Salt Water Fishing Tournament.

Several other big stripers were reported by Bridge-Tunnel anglers, as well as by surf casters along the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

The Hatteras Island surf produced two striper releases for John Cavanaugh of Chesapeake, fish measuring 37 inches and 36 inches. He also released red drum measuring 49 inches and 46 inches.

Meanwhile, big king mackerel made a strong showing off Hatteras Inlet, where scores in excess of 30 pounds were boated. One of the heavyweights was a 51-pounder caught by Robert Chianelli of Virginia Beach.

On the freshwater scene, striper specialist Rick Falls of Zuni boated a 31-pound rockfish at Western Branch Reservoir in Suffolk.

Tommy Salmon of Courtland earned three citation awards from the Virginia Fresh Water Fishing Program. His fish, caught at Lake Prince, included a 1-pound, 2-ounce shellcracker, 1-0 bream and a 12 1/2-inch yellow perch.

Here's a rundown of other recent catches by anglers from Southeastern Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina: For complete copy of list, see microfilm

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