2008.06.11
It may be a while before I catch a bigger catfish
Here's a shot of the 29.1-pound flathead catfish I caught Saturday night (actually, Sunday morning at 3:30 a.m.) at Smith Mountain Lake.
I can't take all the credit. My buddy Erich Faber had actually cast out my bait (a live sunfish) a while earlier after reeling it in to keep it from a marauding turtle. He also had to yell to wake me up. And then he had to net the thing. So it was a team effort.
I hope to get back to the lake soon for another catfish trip, although I'm not sure I can hack another all nighter. I'm still recovering from this one.
Awesome, Mark. You look pretty good, too, considering the hour of the morning.
Also, thanks for field testing the herring. Sorry they didn't do better for you all. So far, early results are mixed, but that's the reason I ask anglers to field test new lures, rods and baits before commiting to them in the shop.
I'd like to print a copy of your flathead for the shop. If that's ok, just let me know and I'll try to copy the enclosed one.
Once again...congratulations to you and your able partner, Erich.
Talk to you soon.
Mike
http://www.virginiaoutdoorsman.com
Comment by Mike Snead — June 12, 2008 @ 7:51 am
Thanks, Mike.
I wouldn't count out the herring after just one try. It's possible that there just weren't many channel cats moving through that spot that night. Now, why the turtles ignored it, I don't know.
Feel free to put the shot on your bragging board. I don't get many chances to appear on those things!
I'll keep in touch and, as always, I appreciate all you do to keep me posted on what's happening -- and not happening -- at the Smith Mountain Lake.
mt
Comment by Mark Taylor — June 12, 2008 @ 8:57 am
Hi Mark,
Nice catfish. I'm concerned about the New River fishery and you're the first person I thought of who might be in the position to help? My perception is that water is being retained in Claytor Lake to the detriment of the river and it's fishery. We've had sufficient rain it would seem but the river stays extremely low because the water is being retained in the lake. This is causing stagnation and low flows in the river with a horrible algae bloom pthat permiates all depths of the river throughout its course distal to the dam. Perhaps a word from you in the paper would help remedy the situation. See what you think and all the river fishermen will thank you.
Best personal regards,
Jim Culley , one of your fishing buddies of the Byrd Lodge bunch.
Comment by Jim Culley — June 13, 2008 @ 8:18 pm
Way to go Mark!! At least I know someone is catching them. We have been catching the bait (pan fish) which is fun, no luck on the flatheads though in Pulaski.
Comment by Scott — June 14, 2008 @ 11:30 pm
Nice Flathead Mark. Glad to see pics and todays column on catfishing. I catfish Claytor Lake alot and have caught channels up to 18 pounds this year, but no bi flatties yet, biggest around 20 pounds.
chip
Comment by chip blevins — June 15, 2008 @ 10:31 pm
Thanks for the comments on the catfish, Scott, Jim and Chip.
Scott, At least you're catching bait! Let me know when you finally start getting them.
Chip, sounds like you've had some good fishing on Claytor. Good luck on the big flatheads. I'm sure it's only a matter of time.
As a postscript to that trip, I learned yesterday that Rich Dorsett, who was with me on that trip, caught a 20-pounder this past Saturday in that cove. So, there are still a few fatties coming up shallow. But you have to be at it all night. He caught it at 2 a.m.
As far as the flows from Claytor Dam, Jim, don't I wish I had that kind of pull with Appalachian Power!
The short of it is it's all about business, albeit a business that must operate under a bunch of federal guidelines.
In general, power companies release water to generate electricity when that action will be profitable. They balance that with requirements to maintain minimum flows and water levels in reservoirs -- requirements established after taking into account biological needs of rivers, etc.
Sometimes, there's a recreational component built into those management plans. Sometimes it's mandated, other times the power companies may bite the bullet for the greater good. For example, a couple of years ago Dominion Power agreed for a summer to send a cold shot of water down the Smith River tailwater on weekend days to help downstream trout even though it cost them money.
Currently, Claytor Lake is just a touch below full pond. Appalachian Power is doing some releases for power generation, but they have been minimal. According to USGS real-time streamflow data, the flow into the lake at Allisonia is 1,170 cubic feet per second, while the float out is 1,240 cfs. Even when you take into account tributaries such as Peak Creek and the Little River, it's barely breaking even. And when you consider the power genreration releases, there's more water coming out than going in.
The bottom line is that while the low levels, moss, etc. in the lower river are a pain for us fishermen, it's not killing or harming fish or other critters that call the New home. So as long as the minimum flows meet the management plan requirements, that's pretty much where it ends.
Now, there's a chance downstream recreation could eventually become more of a priority in the dam's management. The Claytor Dam project (visit http://www.claytorhydro.com for info) is up for relicensing, a monumentally complicated process during which all aspects of the project must be addressed. There's a chance downstream recreation could get more attention in the new plan. That's where I hope I can help by getting the word out that public input is important during the process.
In the near term, our best hope for better fishing conditions in the lower New is rain.
Thanks for reading and for taking the time to comment.
mt
Comment by Mark Taylor — June 17, 2008 @ 10:06 am
Mark, nice fish! I remember going fishing on Claytor Lake with a friend and his father when I was really young. Caught a 25lb catfish, very exciting! I'd never seen a fish that big before. It was quite a treat.
I'm sure there are bigger ones down there somewhere!
Comment by Ed S. — June 18, 2008 @ 10:52 pm