Saltwater Regulations 2008

Well boys its time to get familiar with this year's regs before you head out. Click this link to see them.
Tight Lines! (Illustrations courtesy of VMRC)

Gearing Up for Rocks

I can't wait to try out my 6.6 ML fast action St Croix and this 1/2 oz 3"Sammy rattlin' topwater plug on the Rocks...

Bububububass

I got my sandpaper thumb back. I took the little canoe out on my favorite lake (I need to check the other lake out man, but I've been hung up on this one...), tested my new 6.6 ML St. Croix and tore them up! I went out for 4 hours or so and stopped counting at 15 bass. I caught almost as many more after that, no shit - the bite is on.... red shad sluggos caught the most (I need bigger ones to try for rocks) then gitzits, and a wacky worm.
Capt. Greg told me that he caught 2 19" rocks last night and he is fishing tonight hopefully he puts some pics up!

Bassin in the neighborhood

Ok, don't get freaked out that there are bass on a stringer here. As part of the fish management plan at one of my local lakes, it was recommended that "bass in the 4-12" range be targeted aggressively and removed by anglers" because of overpopulation resulting in stunted fish, due to the fact that they eat all of the forage fish not allowing any of the bass to get larger. I can attest to the high numbers of these fish. I landed 12 or 13 in 2.5 hours yesterday from my folding canoe, this is a shot of some of the fish I took home. I must say, it feels really wierd to take them home and clean them, but hey I do want some of those guys to get larger. just doing my duty. They haven't started spawning yet and man were they everywhere, the biggest one I caught was over 12 but not by much. I did spot a few larger fish.... these little guys were inhailing little 3 inch gitzits.
I plan on checking out some of the other lakes where the balance has been restored and the average fish is supposed to be 12-16". Anyone want to come visit?

First Paddle of Spring

After trout fishing in the morning (one 13 incher) I took my folding canoe out on one of the local lakes for the first real bass trip of the year and landed two largemouths, the first one I wasn't ready for, so my camera wasn't out, but he was a fat 11-13 incher, but this guy had plenty of spots and looked real healthy He put up a great fight, I thought he was bigger. I also realized I need to hit the store to replenish my bass lures...
I was slow rolling spinnerbaits for these guys.
Yee haw spring is here...

Spring Break 2008 - woooooohoooooo!

Keepin it real, here are my legendary boots being repaired for the last time, the trip to St. Mary's will be their last major expedition. My repair job would not hold up to the 65lb pack and the 2600 feet of elevation loss on the way in on a rough 3 mile hike in to camp, plus up and down another 1500 feet each way to the falls on several days, and as well as the punishing hike up. Bye bye boots, you served me well on many mountains and fishing trips. A moment of silence please....

Hell yeah, we got to camp quickly (this is a shot from later in the evening), from the bruise on my knee from two tumbles on a steep decent, I think I should have slowed down. We set up camp and Mike and I headed out for some fishing.
everyone made fun of me for bringing heavy waders and wading boots, but a spill in the St. Mary's put mike out of commission, the air temp was around 55, but the water temp was in the upper 30's. I fished on in rough conditions, wading was necessary as the scrub along the river had no trails, you were required crawling on your hands and knees through game trails. Rough fishing I tell you but great!
Here is the release of the first brookie, caught on a micro jig. I had him within 10 minutes of starting to fish. I caught 7 or 8 that afternoon, most 5-7 inches. I lost at least a dozen. I didn't take too many photos because I wanted to release them quickly.
I had to creep upstream and hide to cast most of the time, they have sharp eyes and will not bite once you have been spotted. Here is the view of a hole I am creeping up too on the main river.
It rained that night hard, our big fire kept us dry, but we ate early and were in bed by 9:30. A good time was had by all. I "retired" for a while under the tarp on my chair, and of course the boys had to mess with me. No, I do not have pictures.
the next day was gorgeous. Here is sunrise from the camp.
This is what all the fuss is about, a St. Mary's Wild Brook trout. These are the native brook trout that have lived in these streams for a million years. This is a sub adult , check all of the cool markings.... I don't have a picture of an adult (I was too busy fishing), a little bigger, but the colorations change depending on where you find them in the river. Check out the orange, black, white anal fin.
Fishing a creek with a serious case of hat head. I am settting up my drift....
Hooked up with a nice brookie! Hell yeah!
I've almost got him, this is were you usually lose these little fighters, like bluefish they never give up and run and shake to throw the hook, insane headshakes. I lost this guy as soon as I stuck my hand on him.
A nice hole on sugar tree branch, I caught 3-4 great adult brookies out of this hole over two days. Dark purple/brown backs with orange bellies and fins and bright red spots surrounded by blue halos, crazy little fish!
Sunset over the river that night near camp.

Jason and Shad enjoying the fire.

20 degrees in the morning, the kind of morning that makes you dread going to the bathroom. I got up early to fish.
The release of a nice brookie, if you view the picture larger you can make out some of the spots. These trout on the main river, were a deep golden color to blend in with the exposed rock, unlike the dark fish that hid in the deep holes on the tributaries,
The Crew (minus mike who left on Sunday). Shad, Jason, Me, Adam and Bowen. Aaron, maybe you Matt Grimes and Sean can make it next time. Some day Blair and Greg will join us too.

Adam and I stayed an extra day. I had a successful morning hiking and fishing, but the next day I had to haul this ridiculous pack out. Next time, less stuff. If is warmer I can condense my fishing gear. What a great time, Thanks everyone for going, its always good to hang with good friends. Keep stretching old men, the soreness will go away. I want to go again with you guys this summer, keep in shape!

The falls, I had to go check it out, and I did it solo on my last full day. Good time and tight lines!

This Weekends info for the trip

This is a list based on last years stuff - I am still working on getting my water pump from Sean, somehow he ended up with mine and vice-versa, but his does not work. I have a tarp, one stove, a tent for Adam and I, 1 set of cooking gear, 3 collapsible water containers, a small trowel for poops, a bear bag and a pack saw. Look it over, bring what you can let me know what you have:
GROUP GEAR:
3-4Tents (no leaky tents - you'll freeze)
2-3 tarps
3 sets of cooking gear (lightweight pots/pans and utensils)
2-3 backpacking stoves and fuel
3-4 water pumps/filters
6-10 collapsible water containers (platypus brand is great)
2 packable saws (for deadfall only - don't worry Blair, we won't chop down trees)
Group food (we'll figure this out later, and yes I plan on eating fish, but its never a guarantee)
2-3 bear bags (Ziploc makes a super strong bag that is 24"x24", they come in packs of 5)
150lb nylon cord (for bear bags and tying tarps)
2-3 first aid kits
2 trowels/ pack shovels
PERSONAL GEAR:
1. Backpack and pack cover to keep it dry
2. 20 degree or colder sleeping bag
3. sleeping pad (thermarest or a cheap foam pad keeps you so much warmer, you'll freeze with out it,ask me if you have questions, I have an extra, but it is bulky)
4. Small daypack or fannypack for dayhikes and to hold fishing gear
5. Rain gear (its April, a few showers are likely, but will not ruin the trip, I think pants are a must and keep out the wind at night, there are inexpensive options, ask me)
6. Clothing: The temps range from 30s-60s everyday, layers are a must, long underwear are required and remember - COTTON KILLS - it doesn't wick moisture or insulate when damp so you will be wet and cold), light snow is possible - Lightweight, packable gear is best, no bulky insulated parkas.
7.Hiking boots (you may also want to bring a pair of sandals, crocs or light tennis shoes for wearing around the camp)
8. Gloves and warm hat: leather work gloves from the hardware store home depot keep hands warm and let you move hot stuff on the fire (ski gloves don't seem as useful, but can work)
9. SHARP pocket knife
10. A cup for coffee and tea as well as a bowl or plate to eat from, also fork and spoon
11. Water bottle(s)
12. Personal food for lunches and snacks such as GORP or power bars
13. WOOL SOCKS (several pairs)
14. Toilet paper, biodegradable soap, and pack towel or a towel cut smaller

Spring Break Trip

Location: St. Mary's Wilderness, meet on the Blue Ridge Parkway (south of Afton Mountain/I 64) I will specify a specific milepost/parking area when I get the info from Aaron
When: Saturday, March 15 at 9 or 10 am (is one of those times better?) through ????? I want to stay until at least tuesday, but you can leave earlier
Who is going: Leave a comment on this post
Can I ride with someone: leave a comment on this post, fix up a riding partner that will match with your dates
What do I need: Use the planning from last year's trip (this is just last years list and it talks about cranberry, but we are going to St. Mary's)
Do I need a fishing license to fish: yes, email me and I can give you the website to buy a VA license, but if you aren't fishing, no license required
Can I borrow a rod/reel from John: yes but first come first serve
Lures: email me I will tell you what to get, there are restrictions for this area as far as what you are allowed to use: single hooks only, all fish under 9 inches must be released (thats a pretty big brookie, not those huge stocked rainbows from last years trip)
Cool - I can't wait to see you guys!

Windblown Trout

40 degrees and 20 mph winds with 30 mile per hours gusts. Anyone wanna go meat fishing? I tore them up on Friday after nothing for a couple of hours I landed 6 trout.

Here is the lunker - 17.5", 2 lbs 11 oz.

I went Saturday too, and I only caught 3, but the wind was blowing a gale, 40 mph. Carazy weekend!

2nd Annual Spring Backpacking and Trout Fishing Trip

Sugar Tree branch, St. Mary's Wilderness
(photo courtesy of Aaron Coleman)

Due to unpredictable WV mountain weather in mid-March, it seems that St. Marys Wilderness will be this year's trip (The weather here could get a little nasty too)- Right now we have a few veterans from last year's trip returning - Aaron, Mike Brandt, and possibly Sean (me too of course), as well as Shad and Matt Grimes joining us for the madness. Wild native brook trout, ridiculous shenanigans, a steep ass hike, and dramatic scenery await. I'm pumped!

More Local Trout...

Two fat rainbows and a golden trout.

I went out two days after the last post and in a couple of hours I landed these guys on spinners and hooked into 4 more (including a hog that fought harder than any trout I've hooked into yet). I was feeling very confident in my fishing abilities. Well I've gone there or the other local stream 4 times since then with only two wimpy bites, the fishing has been off. I hope to rectify this tomorrow afternoon and/or saturday morning. I'll keep you posted.

Rainbows in the Neighborhood

The rainbows are back in town. Stocking took place yesterday and I was at the lake in no time this morning (under ten minutes). I caught a fat 16 incher on the second cast of a jig I tied up few weeks ago specifically for that location (there was no one anywhere near my spot). It was 29 degrees and clear with a cold breeze. The water was not as clear as I had hoped, but my hand tied jigs did the trick on the first four and they were all over 15".
A nice cooler full of 14.5-17 inchers - ten pounds of trout here (don't worry this is a put and take lake that cannot sustain trout in most summers because of water temps that get too high, but in winter spring and fall it is just right).

These were FAT fish, with the biggest over 2lbs. The last two here were caught on a spinner within 15 minutes of each other... once again, my second cast produced the biggest fish of the day. 3.5 hours and I limited out.
The four closest guys to me had two trout between them, and all showed up before me. Its a pisser you find yourself in their position, as I know from experience, but its nice being the guy who leaves early after filling his cooler for a weeks worth of dinner.

100th Post for the Monkeybubbas

We've hit 10o posts of Monkeybubba fishing foolishness. Instead of boring you with my last two skunked fishing trips I thought we should post some highlight photos from our mis-adventures (even from the days before the blog, there is no chronological order, all the great days and nights blend together). I hope all the bubbas add their photos to this post. Here's to fishin' with your bros!

Tight Lines.