The deer kill in Virginia has been more or less stable for the past few seasons. It was up slightly this season, about 10,000, with a total harvest of 209,197 deer in Virginia. This total included 103,310 antlered bucks, 15,000 button bucks, and 90,887 does (43%). The record year was 2009 with a total kill in excess of 250,000 animals. Archers, not including crossbow hunters, killed 15,078 … [Read more...]

By Dr. Julie Ball Most news is centered around the weather, which seems to be the most interesting thing going on right now since choices are limited on the saltwater fishing front. Ocean striped bass are still a no-show in Virginia’s legal waters. These fish are wintering so far off the coast, it’s not likely inshore anglers will encounter them again until they return to the Bay to spawn. … [Read more...]

Potomac River Report By Capt. Steve Chaconas Our slight water warm-up to near 40 will be short lived as the weekend cold front blows through. Cold nights around 20 will make ramps treacherous – so be careful. Walking the banks along Four Mile Run, the water is around 50 and clear. Make long casts parallel to the bank with Lucky Craft Pointer 78 suspending jerkbaits. Use 6-8 pound test … [Read more...]

Sure, it snowed two feet last week, but Virginia’s yellow perch population doesn’t mind. They are preparing to spawn and are biting right now. Mike Johncox at Riverside Camp in Lanexa says he thinks it will be two more weeks before the bite begins in earnest, but one of his customers, Karen Wells of Sandston, weighed in a citation perch that measured 12 ¾ inches and weighed in at 1 ¾ pounds. … [Read more...]

The only thing fishing in the Chesapeake Bay last week was a pelican. There was nothing to report on the Virginia front, but from the Outer Banks someone actually went fishing and caught something Red Drum & Tackle in Buxton reports that an angler fishing at The Point caught keeper drum with every cast while using shrimp for bait and a 6-ounce sinker. He was out there by himself slaying … [Read more...]

Tommy Lawhorne at South River Fly Shop in Waynesboro reports that fishing on the South River has been steady for the past week. Water temps are low due to higher levels and the fish are hugging the bottom. Girdle bugs in darker colors, Caddis larvae, Zebra midges, pink or orange Egg patterns, and Worm patterns are all catching fish. However, Reed Cranford, a Guide at South River Fly Shop, … [Read more...]

By Capt. Steve Chaconas For the first time this season, the water temperature is below 45 degrees. This changes the presentation of lures and location of fish. Cold water will position fish on drops and slow the food chain. Use electronics to find the warmest water and to find baitfish near fishing locations. Cold week ahead. Daytime highs only in the mid 40s and overnight lows in the mid to … [Read more...]

Here they come! We had just dropped one goose in a pond and Greg was in the boat making the retrieve when the honking of 125 birds got our attention. Greg hunkered down in the boat while I knelt by the cattails at the edge of the pond. The geese set their wings and we let ‘em have it. Two more geese were down, and then another flock approached. But Greg and I had enough geese to pick for … [Read more...]

Virginia Saltwater Dr. Julie Ball reports   Offshore, weather permitting, the bite can be good with nice yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, and Mahi the primary catch. Swordfish are still a possibility at the Norfolk Canyon if boats can find a good weather window for overnight trips. Windy conditions are keeping boats at home for a few days, but once the weather clears, expect the … [Read more...]