September Trout Unlimited Meeting

Got together with the fellas from the Bill Wills SE Virginia Chapter of TU this past week  to tie flies, recap summer activities with the Healing Waters program at the Portsmouth Naval Hospital, discuss a stream adoption program, and plan for our fall trip.

Here, member Bill Campbell leads the group through the steps for tying a bass popper. 

Our collaboration with Project Healing Waters will continue with Bill getting even more involved state-wide in the organization.

We also are polling the membership on a destination for a fall trip.  The Back River in VA and Seneca Creek in WV were two favorite contenders.  Stay tuned....

It was a fun meeting.  Thanks to all who participated to make it a good night!

Peace.

Lynnhaven River, 8/31/13

Took Dana out fishing this time.  Brought the spinning rods for her, but damned if I didn't forget the spinning tackle box!  Man!  And I had just fully stocked it that afternoon!

So......Dana was forced to use the magic wand.  I did double casting duty and she strip retrieved.

There was plenty of pressure at the osprey pole so we soon left and headed to Dunkart's Hole.  To our surprise, it was vacant.  

After a little boat manouvering to find the right spot, plus an ebbing tide, the fish started to bite.  Nothing huge mind you, but Dana had fun stripping them in.  We lost two to slack line, but Dana managed to land a flounder

and a croaker.  Not too shabby.  

Even though we caught them on different flies, Dana opined that the fish liked the red/orange clouser the best.   It was a good day, but my arm is sore.  Now I need to teach Dana to cast!

Aloha!

Lynnhaven River, Tuesday 8/28

Took a half day off at work and launched the kayak at the neighborhood ramp.  Saw Ron Stoops there and heard stories of drum galore.

Shoved off and paddled to my old familiar place.  Staked out the boat and got out on foot.

Fished the flat and then moved to the main body of the river as the tide ebbed.  Truth in advertising - all I caught was this little bugger - locally known as a pin fish.

At least there was no skunk!  PRetty day on the water.

Specktacular Lynnhaven River

Fished in the Lynnhaven this morning in my kayak.  I think there were puppy drum on the flats, but there's SO MUCH algae in there from the spring nutrient loading that every retrieve was a snag.  I will have to tie some unweighted flies and add weed guards to fish those waters this summer.

Switched to outside the flat in the main stem of the river, still on the incoming tide.  Caught two nice specks while the tide was still moving - the biggest one was 18+.  Surprised to see them this early and this big!  Should've had my tagging gear, but I was traveling light.  

Specktacular Lynnhaven River from Coastal Explorer on Vimeo.

Time to tie some poppers!

BULLS ON TOP from SHALLOW WATER EXPEDITIONS on Vimeo.

A quiet morning on the Lynnhaven River, VA

Paddled out to a favorite spot before work at 0-dark-hundred. The river was quiet, the water was glass, and the wildlife were my choir. Baitfish were abundant and the predators crashed through them from time to time. It's nice to be the only human around at times.


A quiet morning on the Lynnhaven from Coastal Explorer on Vimeo.

Floating the Shenandoah River for Smallmouth Bass May 18, 2013

Floating the Shenandoah River for Smallmouth Bass from Coastal Explorer on Vimeo.