Owing to a mild winter and an abundant mast crop last year, some really nice deer are being harvested this fall. Among them was this buck taken by Samantha Romano in Louisa County with her muzzleloader. “Sam” bagged her trophy last Sunday morning (yes, Virginia, you can hunt on Sundays).
The inside spread measured a whopping 22 ½-inches.
Potomac River
Another Great Week of Cranking
Stable and warmer weather has kept water clear and warmer setting up a moving lure bite. Water remains in the mid to upper 50s which is a perfect fall temperature.
Target wood cover and grass remnants. Grass will be gone soon. If you locate grass, fish it thoroughly. Fish are shallow so cranking depth can be controlled with rod position and model of crankbait. For deeper situations, 12-pound test GAMMA Edge fluorocarbon line will keep Lucky Craft 1.5 crankbaits in or over cover. Contact grass and snap upward to free the bait and to trigger strikes. Use rattling Lucky Craft crankbaits when water is stained and one-knockers or silent in clear water. Try chartreuse patterns or craw colors.
The soft plastic bite is also pretty good now. Using a Texas rigged Mizmo tube on 12-pound Edge and a 3/0 Mustad Mega Bite hook, pitch to wood cover and grass. Vary presentations to dial in. Also working are Texas rigged stickworms. Try 1/8-ounce bullet weights and only go heavier if it’s windy or the current is moving baits. Soak plastics in garlic flavor Jack’s Juice Bait Spray.
Capt. Steve Chaconas is a guide on the Potomac River. info@nationalbass.com
Chickahominy Lake
Fishing with Capt. Art Conway, Jerry Davis had 7 bluegill, 1 crappie, 1 yellow perch, 1 white perch, 1 blue cat, 1 bowfin, 2 pickerel and 4 bass. Tom Porter had 4 bluegill, 26 crappie, 5 white perch, 1 pickerel, and 3 bass.
Kerr Reservoir
Bobcat’s Lake Country Store says that blue catfish have been hitting on the upper end of the lake above Clarksville. The best method for catching these fish is by anchoring on shallow flats outside of the river channel on the main lake. Fish on the bottom using cut shad and cut crappie. You never know what to expect fishing like this. The next bite might be a 5-pounder or it might be a big girl that goes well over 50 pounds.
James at Lynchburg
Davis Stanley at Angler’s Lane says that the smallmouth bite is slowing down, especially with top water baits. The bite is a little better below Lynchburg with 4 to 5 inch streamers, Senkos and cranks. The water is low, clear and 54 to 55 degrees.
Trout Talk
Browns are spawning in the Jackson and are taking nymphs, streamers and dry flies. The water is very clear, low and 52 degrees, which Davis Stanley says is an “almost perfect” temperature. The mountain brookies are also spawning and taking dry flies. You might want to think about stressing out the little guys and give them a vacation. The water is clear, low and 48 to 50 degrees.
The stocked and delayed harvest streams in the Valley are offering good action to anglers. Passage Creek, Big Stoney Creek and Back Creek are all good spots. The mountain brookies are spawning and should be left alone for a while.
Claytor Lake
Seth Dalton says that fishing has been “really tough” at Claytor. The water has been “super clear” and the temperature has been fluctuating. The striper bite has been “few and far between”. The lake is at a normal level.
New River
Tangent Outfitters says that the smallmouth bite is “decent”, as fish move from summer to fall patterns. Senkos, tubes and Flukes have proved effective. Muskies are starting to move up and should start hitting well the next week or so. They are going for inline spinners. The water is low, very clear and in the upper 50s to lower 60s.
Shenandoah River
Harry Murray notes that the smallmouth bite in both the north and south forks of the Shenandoah is “fair”. Fish the bottom of the deepest pools you can find. The water is 59 degrees, low and clear.