One of the top fee fishing establishments in Virginia is Tomahawk Farm on the Jackson River near Warm Springs. My pals, Dave Gladwell, John Savides and Glenn Busch have been fishing that stretch for the past several years when we stay a few days at Cliff View Inn. My fly fishing days are largely in the rear view window since the golf bug bit me, but my buds love this stream. This is beautiful … [Read more...]
A Texas Roadhouse Review
Nancy and I were in the mood for steaks. Both of us had been traveling and preferred not to cook. We didn’t want anything fancy, just a nice slab of beef. We decided on the Texas Roadhouse, on Route 29 in Charlottesville, not far from our house. Nancy had eaten there once before. She said it was noisy, but the food was okay. I don’t mind noisy if the food is good, and I was curious, so we gave … [Read more...]
Orange Butterflies
I’m not sure we had any Monarch butterflies this summer, though we have planted milkweed and have a towering butterfly bush. We have enjoyed seeing other butterflies, however, including lots of orange ones in recent weeks. I believe most of the orange butterflies visiting our yard are Viceroy butterflies. They are almost identical to Monarchs with similar orange-brown wings. A black line across … [Read more...]
What Was That Animal?
By Sherman Shifflett Dark shadows were creeping across the shooting lane in the cutover as the sun was setting last Saturday afternoon. Greg Barlow and I were deer hunting near Cuckoo in Louisa County. A small animal emerged from the cutover about 30 yards away and stopped in the middle of the shooting lane. Although visibility was not good, I could tell it was not a squirrel, no a … [Read more...]
Perfect Brownies & Mix
Brownies are the universal dessert. You can serve them hot with vanilla ice cream as an elegant dish or hand them out like cookies and watch your guests enjoy. The children I cook for love brownies, no matter how they are served. I have two tips for would-be brownie chefs. First, buy a product called Brooklyn Brownie Copper by Gotham Steel and then use Betty Crocker Brownie Fudge Mix and you … [Read more...]
Blues on the Outer Banks
Surf fishermen reported plenty of bluefish from the north beaches down through Buxton. Some nice puppy drum were also beached. There were also reports of puppy drum at Pea Island. North of Oregon Inlet, trout are plentiful up and down the beaches. Black drum, bluefish and pompano were caught in the surf. At Coquina Beach, puppy drum and one large drum were caught. The ocean was rough on … [Read more...]
Lake Anna Stripers
It’s striper time at Lake Anna. The silversides are most active early and late, taking baits on the surface. During the day, jigging spoons and trolled, deep-diving crankbaits are good choices. Productive areas have been at the mouth of Contrary Creek, Rose Valley and the area around Jetts Island at the Splits. Largemouth bass are hanging on steep banks and points, but early and late they will … [Read more...]
Bass Weejuns: The Official Boomer Shoe
During WWII, leather was in short supply, much of it going to the war effort as boots, belts and slings for soldiers. Shoes were rationed and recycled. The shoe repairman was the most popular guy in town. After the war, things changed. Everybody had leather shoes. For young Boomers, the shoes of note were army-type boots, with straps and lace-ups. They remained in style until the 50’s, then came … [Read more...]
Where Have All the Robins Gone?
One day they were here, then the next they were gone. All of them. Robins. Where on earth do they go? Though they are migratory songbirds, robins generally hang around in Central Virginia. Two winters ago, I had at least one robin that stayed in or near our yard throughout the winter. But I bet a dollar to a doughnut that in a few weeks, on a wet, cool morning, there will be a hundred robins … [Read more...]
Fall Hunting in Virginia
The best part about autumn may be the hunting season, and it’s finally here. As the temperatures cool and the trees surrender their leaves, it’s time to lace up the boots and get in the woods. Hunting season for nearly all game species opens in the fall. Squirrel, deer, bear, turkey, migratory game bird and waterfowl all make for exciting experiences and delightful table fare. VDGIF biologists … [Read more...]
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