Darryl Kennedy says that in spite of the warm weather, Lake Orange anglers are still catching nice walleye in the upper end of the lake. There have been some really nice largemouth caught on slow moving baits. The crappie are holding in 10-15 feet and they’ll eat a small minnow if they see one. Catfishing remains strong throughout the lake. An 8-pound flathead was caught this week. Give those flatheads a few more years and there will be some 50 pounders in the bait-rich waters of Lake Orange.
Chickahominy Lake
The water is warm, 90 degrees, but the bluegills are biting. Fishing with Capt. Conway, Karen Anderson had 20 bluegills, 2 shellcrackers, one crappie, and 2 blue cats.
Potomac River
Capt. Steve Chaconas says get out early and stay hydrated. Use topwaters early, and with low tides, any time of the day.
Morning low tides are perfect for hollow frog fishing on 60-pound GAMMA Torque braid. Cast to thick grass toward outer grass bed edges. Twitch and pause. Set the hook up and hard once fish take the bait. Keep using until fish don’t bite as the tide comes in, but keep it on deck to skip under docks and across isolated grass mats. Also punch mats with soft plastics with 1-ounce tungsten weights.
Noontides will be good for dock fishing. Skip Mizmo Texas rigged tubes to shaded pilings on 14-pound test Edge with 3/16-ounce weights. Let baits sit a while. Shake and sit. Watch line. Bites will be light.
Capt. Steve Chaconas is a guide on the Potomac River. info@nationalbass.com
James at Lynchburg
Angler’s Lane reports that the smallmouth fishing on the James is good. Top waters and popping bugs have been especially successful. The water is clear, very low and warming.
Trout Update
The rainbow and brown bite on the Jackson is fair, says Angler’s Landing. They are still eating cicadas, but this feast is slowing down. Stonefly nymphs and streamers are good bets. The water is 60 degrees, clear and low but fishable. The mountain brookies are being stressed by the hot weather and will do better if left alone for a while.
Lake Gaston
Holly Grove Marina says to wait till night if you want to catch bass. Use buzzbaits and black spinners. Catfish are deep, but move in at night. Crappie are deep and the action is slow. The water is clear, at a normal level and 88 degrees.
Top New River
Guide Richie Hughes says the river is low and clear. This has stimulated the growth of algae so rig weedless and use top waters. They have been catching some nice fish on fly rod popping bugs and spinning top waters.