The trout streams are low and clear, the rivers are low and clear, and the lakes are the same – low and clear, but there are fish to be caught. The rules for fishing in low water are fairly simple – use lighter line, smaller lures and flies, fish further from your target and if you have a blaze orange fishing cap – leave it in the car. Here’s what happening on the freshwater … [Read more...]

  The Game Department has found a few lakes and streams with enough water to hold trout and the fall stocking program is underway. Some nice rain predicted this weekend should help fill the water tables The streams below were stocked this week. Clifton Forge Reservoir, the Tye River, Crooked Creek, Little Reed Island Creek, Dan River (below the powerhouse), Big Moccasin Creek, Middle … [Read more...]

It’s officially rockfish or striper season, not only in Virginia, but North Carolina as well. This season should be much improved over the past few years in both states. Capt. Reese Stecher in Nags Head notes that the striper fishing in the sound kicks off on October 1 and there seems to be plenty of fish to be caught. In fish for fun trips, it’s been all you want and plenty fish between 18 and … [Read more...]

This will be a special edition of Cville Buzz, devoted to Beach Worshippers everywhere – those who like the feel of cool sand between their toes and those that recognize fall as an ideal time for an escape to the beach. Why fall? Because the crowds have dispersed, rates are lower, the weather is pleasant, the fishing is at its peak and – by damned – you deserve it. So pack your bags, take both … [Read more...]

Nags Head Two species of fish rule the saltwater shallows. Speckled trout and puppy drum. The specks are sleek assassins with a set of dentures designed to destroy their prey. They are the jaguars of the flats, striking without warning. They are silver and black beauties with touches of purple. The puppy drum, the redfish, are Brahman bulls with scales. The have the power of John Deere … [Read more...]

I have decided that there is no such thing as a bluegill too small to keep. If they are big enough to bite the hook, they are big enough to scale, gut and toss in a hot skillet. In fact, I believe the best tasting are the smaller bluegills. To prove my point, I stopped by Lake Orange last weekend with a fly rod and a cup of red wigglers. Unquestionably, fly rods are bluegill-catching machines. Not … [Read more...]

  Over the years as an outdoor writer, I have frequently been asked the best place to take children fishing. My answer is that if you can drive an hour from Charlottesville, the best place to take a kid fishing is Lake Orange. It’s also one of my favorite places to wet a line. Lake Orange now offers a handicapped accessible pier, which is perfect for kids. They needn’t cast far, and, in … [Read more...]