2009.01.23
Today could be a good day to play hooky
This will be one of those winter afternoons when it would be nice to sneak out of work a bit (or a lot) early for some outdoors fun.
Forecasters are calling for temperatures around 60 degrees in Roanoke. After the weather we've been having, it's going to feel like Florida.
I'm always amazed on days like this by the number of people I find fishing at lakes and ponds. I'm generally an optimist. But as nice as the air temperature is, the water temperature is still frigid and one nice day is not going to send bass, sunfish and other such lake dwellers on a feeding frenzy. Maybe these anglers know this and just don't care. And, of course, there's nothing wrong with just getting out and fishing even if you're not going to catch much (or anything).
Now, I will say that when we get a real significant warm snap of several days in late January or February it can really turn on the crappie fishing. When the water warms a few degrees those fish will find the warm water and if you find them, the action can be good.
On a day like this I think trout are probably the most appropriate target because they are relatively active in cold water. On a stream with wild fish, you might actually see a hatch today. Something like little stoneflies. So it can be a chance to get away from the nymphs you've been fishing for the past couple of months.
Stocked trout waters can be great on a day like today. It's been a quiet week for stalking but a few area waters have gotten trout. In Franklin County, Runnett Bag Creek and the Pigg River were stocked on Tuesday. Mill Creek and the Maury River in Rockbridge County also got fish that day. Bedford County's Liberty Lake was stocked yesterday (Jan. 22). I don't know what's on the stocking schedule for today.
Someone told me that the Pigg River stocking was a little unusual this time. Apparently the river (which is really more like a creek) was pretty socked in with ice on Tuesday so all of the fish went into just a few spots that were open. So the fish were pretty concentrated. That ice should be gone by now but it probably wouldn't be hard to find the spots. Just look for the crowds. Of course, I'm guessing those crowds have hammered the fish pretty good by now.
You are so right Mark ! it's a great Hooky Day ! I'm gonna try my best to get out of work early myself.... I'm going to get my little boy and take him squirrel hunting. Should be a great afternoon!
Comment by Ralph Barton — January 23, 2009 @ 11:00 am
Good luck getting out there with your boy, Ralph.
My dilemma is trying to figure out what to do. We don't have a ton of time after the kids get off the bus. Was thinking a combo squirrel hunt/shed hunt might be a fun way to get out there.
All this depends on me getting my work done first, though.
mt
Comment by marktaylor — January 23, 2009 @ 11:17 am
Your right about the water temps, I just got off the phone with Mike Snead at Va Outdoorsman and he said the water temp there at SML is around 40 degrees. Not many fish are going to bite in those temps,but its still nice to get out there.Maybe the stripers might bite. Anyway it's good to get out there.
Alfie
Comment by Alfie — January 23, 2009 @ 12:05 pm
Yes sir, mighty fine day indeed! Actually did a little scouting myself, sitting in a tree stand I put up last weekend in Franklin Co. hoping to see what is traveling near-by or around that ridge. I even took a hunting book and just sat in the tree for a while until it was time to get down and head to work. Even though hunting season is over, still good to get out in the woods. I CAN"T WAIT UNTIL OCTOBER!!!
Comment by J.R. Mitchell — January 23, 2009 @ 9:42 pm
Mark thanks for doing that article about the Minnow Pond I know Melvin and his wife Christine Appreciated it very much. The community of fishermen and women did as well. Thanks again Steve
--You're welcome, Steve. Thanks for helping me out with the story. mt
Comment by Steve Van Metre — February 20, 2009 @ 8:38 am