At Nags Head, there were good catches of bluefish on the piers on Wednesday and they were biting all day. Angler, Justin Wase, said there were over 200 caught in less than 2 hours at OBX Pier and he caught 30. The same for all the piers. Bluefish like clear water because they sight-feed and the ocean is remaining clear. The piers were catching bluefish again on Thursday morning along with some … [Read more...]

The Board of Directors of Destination Downtown Waynesboro was pleased to present a check for $2000 to Shenandoah Valley Trout Unlimited. The funds came directly from the proceeds of the 2018 South River Fly Fishing Expo and will be used by Shenandoah Valley Trout Unlimited to improve trout habitat on the South River near Waynesboro. In the photo above, Webber Payne (left) of Destination Downtown … [Read more...]

  By Dr. Peter Brookes   The shad run starts around the beginning of the spring calendar, marking the official end of winter and the unofficial beginning of the fishing season in the Commonwealth. As VDGIF fisheries biologist, Alan Weaver, puts it: “Fishing for shad in Virginia is a rite of spring.” Some may  be unaware that shad have a storied history. For instance, it … [Read more...]

  After three months of nothing to report except dogfish and skates, things are finally starting to happen in Nags Head, so if you’re heading down for Spring Break, bring your rod and reel. Capt. Reese Stecher has been mixing it up with stripers for the past week or so, The season is open back in the bay and sound  till the end of April, with a two-fish per day per man creel limit of … [Read more...]

  There have been walleye roaming the Rivanna River for years. As many as 20 years ago, the Game Department stocked walleye in the Rivanna Reservoir hoping that species would become established. They never really did. In fact, walleye have a tendency to go downstream and many of them went over the dam. There was once a pretty good fishery for walleyes below the dam as they tried to make … [Read more...]

Lake Orange, one of Virginia’s most productive lakes, is now open for business. Actually, the lake is always open throughout the year, but the marina, Angler’s Landing, opened their doors for the spring season last weekend and fish are starting to bite. Angler’s Landing sells lures, live bait and snacks and rents 14-foot jon boats and electric trolling motors, giving anglers access to nearly … [Read more...]

By Capt. Steve Chaconas Things are looking up, fellow fishermen! The fish are moving up to shallower water in the heat of the day, but not venturing too far from the drops. Open the tacklebox and use more aggressive lures, but with slow presentations. Silver Buddy lures will still produce but will also indicate the mood of the fish. If they are really hitting it hard or taking the bait in … [Read more...]

  Smith Mountain is a striper lake, pure and simple. There are lots of other fish to be caught, but the lake’s main attraction is the striped bass. Each spring, the stripers in the lake try to spawn, but are unable. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) helps out with generous stockings each year from their Brookneal Hatchery. VDGIF says that stripers are … [Read more...]

Big bluefin tuna are stealing the spotlight on the saltwater scene. With the weather improving (slightly) more boats have made offshore jaunts, and many are connecting with the big boys – 500 pounds and more. Some good news from the Outer Banks:The 2.8-mile new Oregon Inlet Bridge is now open to traffic. It replaces the old Herbert C. Bonner which was built in 1963. Now the old bridge has to be … [Read more...]

The South River Fly Shop in Waynesboro reports that the Shenandoah Valley Trout Unlimited has now stocked the South River twice since October and will be funding a third stocking later this spring on the South River Catch and Release section. Keven Little says the river was running at 350cfs, well within the range of good fishing. Midges and caddis have started hatching on both the Catch and … [Read more...]