The 17th Annual Youth Fishing Day will be held at Lake Orange on Saturday, September 10th from noon until 4 PM. Registration begins at 11:00.
“This is a free event open to any child who can hold a fishing pole – from ages 2 through 16,”says Darrell Kennedy at Anglers Landing at Lake Orange. “Every child will receive a certificate and prizes are awarded for the largest fish caught of each species. We’d love to get the word out about this event and see more kids than ever.”
Lake Orange is truly a child-friendly place to fish. First, the fishing is almost always good. Something is always biting, from bluegills to catfish to yellow perch, crappie and bass. Second, it’s easy for children to fish from the brush-free banks or from the handicap accessible pier. Boats are also available for adults with children.
Here is Darryl’s report this week.
Lake Orange water temperatures are in the upper 80’s and the water is clear. Largemouth bass are hitting top water baits in low light periods of the day, but don’t rule out the mid-day schooling fish, which are taking soft plastics and crank baits throughout the day. Crappie are schooling at 10- to 15-foot depths where minnows are the bait of choice. Catfish are hitting minnows, and chicken livers. Anglers trolling with live baits have caught a few walleyes.
Potomac River
It’s “Dog Days Fishing” now on the Potomac, says Capt. Steve Chaconas. The water is still very hot, in the upper 80s.
Early high falling water will open up the topwater opportunities. Walking larger Aurora black Lucky Craft Gunfish on 50-pound braid over grass or cranking Lucky Craft BDS 4 Shad crankbait down to grass and popping free. Hollow frogs on braid over grass are also working. Chatterjigs, swim jigs, and swimbaits will work. Try Mann’s Baby 1-Minus crankbaits too. Use 16-pound test Gamma Edge fluorocarbon line. Engage grass and snap free.
With isolated mats, full sun, and calm water, try punching with pegged 1-ounce tungsten weights. Heavy Mustad flipping hooks on 60-pound Torque braid with soft plastic craws gets to the big fish. Allow baits to plunge through. Watch closely for bites.
Capt. Steve Chaconas is a guide on the Potomac River. info@nationalbass.com
Chickahominy Lake
Fishing with Capt. Art Conway out of Ed Allen’s Campground, Karen Anderson had 28 bluegills, 1 yellow perch and 1 bass. Carolyn Conway had 16 bluegills and 1 bass. Tom Porter had 35 bluegills, 2 shellcrackers, 6 crappie, 1 blue cat and 1 bass.
Rappahannock River
Charley Taylor reports that a few smallmouth bass are being caught above Fredericksburg, while the catfish action is picking up in the tidal reaches. Stripers are showing in numbers well below the city and are being caught on Rat-L-Traps and Sassy Shads. Bass action is fair, in the creek mouths.
Shenandoah River
Anglers are catching good numbers of smallmouth bass on plastic grubs, spinners, topwater lures and tiny crankbaits. Catfish are hitting live minnows and madtoms. Stringers of large sunfish are easily taken on flyrod poppers and small topwater baits.
James River
Good levels and clear water from above Lynchburg down to Richmond. Dragonflies and Damselflies have stimulated a great topwater bite for smallmouth anglers. Should be a good weekend to be on the river.
Lake Chesdin
Bass action has slowed, but should pick up with cooler weather. Plastic worms are taking the larger fish. Crappie fishing is picking up, with most of the fish being caught on live minnows and tiny jigs. Catfishing is excellent on chicken livers.
Back Bay
Fishing pressure is light though bass anglers are landing up to 15 fish daily, some I the 5-6 pound class. The creeks are giving up bass, catfish and white perch, along with bluegills and small catfish.
Lake Gaston
Pretty decent action for bass anglers throwing topwater lures early and late in the day. Crappie up to two pounds are taking live minnows around bridge pilings and on submerged brush. Catfish and bream action is good throughout the lake. White perch are taking live minnows in 15 feet of water.
Briery Creek
Excellent bass fishing, with lots of fish being taken on plastic worms, large minnows and spinnerbaits. Many of the fish are in the 16- to 24-inch slot limit. Catfish to 10 pounds are hitting chicken livers. Some nice crappie and bluegill are reported, along with a few small pickerel.
Claytor Lake
Catfishing has been excellent at Claytor on cut alewives and shrimp. Bass action is picking up, with live alewives taking fish. Six to ten pound stripers are being caught in Peak Creek.