June 9, 2006Fish a fun distraction for 3-D shootersBowfishing combines two of my passions - bowhunting and fishing -- and action can be non-stop. That's why I'm addicted. Here's a short video from a recent bowfishing trip at Smith Mountain Lake. In maybe an hour of serious fishing/hunting, I got maybe 25 shots. How many did I hit? At least one!
Of course I was blown away by how good these guys are at judging distance, then putting their arrows on the spot. The other thing that struck me was just how many of these guys are into bowfishing. I was following Richard Leftwich around. Leftwich, who lives in Salem, is an avid bowfisher. In fact, he said it was the relaxation of bowfishing that helped him win the ASA championship a couple of years ago. A bunch of shooters wanted to talk bowfishing with Leftwich. As they moved from 3-D target to 3-D target, they were trading stories about great trips, their bowfishing boats, and big fish. I can’t see how bowfishing would help a competitive archer get better at shooting at above-water targets. It’s just so different because you’re usually shooting by instinct, and you’re not even aiming at the fish. You have to aim below it to compensate for refraction. My bet is these guys like it because it’s just a lot of fun and they appreciate getting to shoot bows without the pressure they face on the 3-D range. I spent a couple of days on the water with Leftwich two years ago and the guy is a carp’s worst nightmare. He’s even more deadly now because he just got a new boat, complete with lights and a generator. Carp can be tough to find during the day but at night they hit the shallows. Leftwich said he’ll take me out at night. I’m going to hold him to it. |
About this blog
While growing up in rural Southern Oregon, Mark Taylor developed a passion for the outdoors while he and his younger brother tagged along with their father on fishing, hunting and camping adventures. Graduating from Northwestern University in 1988, Taylor spent four years as an officer in the U.S. Navy based in Norfolk before moving into journalism. After five years writing about the military for a Norfolk-based publishing company, he became the outdoors editor at The Roanoke Times in 1998. He lives in Roanoke with his wife and twin daughters. .....Advertisement.....
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Comments
[June 10, 2006 8:13 AM]
Patrick Beeson : →http://www.patrickbeeson.comThat is the most amazing video I've ever seen!
Taylor is now the man.
[June 12, 2006 11:28 AM]
daine : →http://timescast.roanoke.comNICE SHOT
[June 12, 2006 4:17 PM]
Amanda HicksI'm proud of you for not falling off the boat. Looks like a pretty tough skill to master.
[May 28, 2008 8:31 AM]
Justin HartlessI like the video that was a good shot. Im big into bowfishing and im only 16 and i was thinking that i woiuld like to hook up with some other bowfishermen around smith mountian lake some time just to take a bowfishing trip and to get to meet other people who like to do the sport. So if any body wants to hook up and go bowfishing some time drop me an e-mail at luckyskeebo@msn.com im at the lake every weekend so i would love to git to know other people who liked to do it.
[May 28, 2008 8:52 AM]
Mark TaylorJustin, Thanks for the compliment on the video. If more people tried bowfishing they would become absolutely addicted. Of course that could make things tougher for those of us who are already addicted.
Maybe we can connect for some bowfishing. I'll send you an e-mail.
mt
[May 28, 2008 9:47 AM]
BacklashNice shooting and fancy foot work on the boat.
[May 29, 2008 7:25 AM]
BacklashMark
I heard Gatewood Park will be sponsoring a free bass tournament on June 7, 2008 have you heard anything about it rules and prizes?
If the weather holds up this could be a good float tube day.