[OldDominionAngler]

Here are the highlights from a solid three day, two night fishing trip in the valley. Kudos to the Richmond boys for some solid reporting the past few weeks.

We woke up at 3:30 am on Friday morning so that we could make it to the crick for some tricos, who so kindly stood us up. But fish like this one were literally jumping out of the water to nab terrestrials from the overhanging grass.


Unfortunatley, we found a disproportionate amount of missing dorsal fins.


A storm passed through and it was time to run some bunny through the undercuts.




I missed some violent strikes from big fish before this one finally buttered my bread from a channel along the far bank.


And a little crab bisque never hurt anyone. Although a fine meal coupled with some fine beverages may result in a late night. Which, in turn, may foil plans to fish a certain exclusive, plain and peaceful piece of water the following morning.


We opted for the creek we'd just fished instead and the action slowed. We caught a few and spoked some more but rather than stay all evening, we hopped on the interstate and headed toward our Saturday night campsite on the South Fork of the Shenandoah. Although there is no photo evidence, Stephen managed an estimated 4-5 lbs. smallie throwing poppers at dusk that evening. We caught a few fish before breaking out the deck of cards, including my friend Gunner's first ever on the fly rod.

We woke up to some serious rain on Sunday morning and one cicada.


And briefly contemplated changing plans but continued on to the outfitters to pick up our kayaks and float for the day. It wasn't long before the rain had cleared and the sun was beating down on our necks. We floated in a kayak convoy of four and boated plenty of smallies with a few nice ones in between...although I can personally say I landed nothing bigger than 12".

On the way back, I made one more stop. 'Twas a good trip.

[OldDominionAngler]

Whoops, can a mod move this to the fly fishing trout stream reports section?

[Damselfly]

That's okay- I like it right where it is- I might've missed it otherwise...

Great report- but that last shot is the best!

[OldDominionAngler]

Originally Posted by Damselfly

but that last shot is the best!

I agree, I've been waiting to try out the new digital SLR on skyline for awhile now.

[WhiteH2OPdlr]

Originally Posted by OldDominionAngler

I agree, I've been waiting to try out the new digital SLR on skyline for awhile now.

That is a beautiful shot, sir. But as a fellow DSLR shooter, I have to ask, have you had your CCD cleaned as of recent? I fought those specs, especially at high aperture and long shutter for 3 vacations, thinking it was the glass, but $35 and a round trip to Canon, and my 30-D is shooting like new again. Just a thought...I never had problems with them in fast-scene shooting, like action or bright light...just long scenery exposures.

[Snagged]

You boys certainly fish is some beautiful places. Thanks for sharing!

[dshort]

Nice work. We might have crossed paths on Sat morning....

I've noticed a bunch of fugly fish out there recently too.

[OldDominionAngler]

Originally Posted by WhiteH2OPdlr

That is a beautiful shot, sir. But as a fellow DSLR shooter, I have to ask, have you had your CCD cleaned as of recent? I fought those specs, especially at high aperture and long shutter for 3 vacations, thinking it was the glass, but $35 and a round trip to Canon, and my 30-D is shooting like new again. Just a thought...I never had problems with them in fast-scene shooting, like action or bright light...just long scenery exposures.

Yeah, that was the first time I'd seen the specs come through on a shot...I was kind of bummed when I loaded the pictures. I only snapped a few and haven't looked at the lens yet to discern whether the dust is in or on...but thanks for the note, I'll keep it in mind.

Originally Posted by dshort

Nice work. We might have crossed paths on Sat morning....

I've noticed a bunch of fugly fish out there recently too.

You were wearing a ball cap and shorts around the bridge? How'd you fare?

[dshort]

You were wearing a ball cap and shorts around the bridge? How'd you fare?

Nah, I was in pants and a Va Tech hat, fishing my old Orvis bamboo. Spent most of the day in the downstream section, although I ventured up to the section below the bridge for a little while. It was slower out there Sat than it has been lately. I managed a couple but had to work hard for em.

[Stephen]

Were you the fella we asked about the fishing and told us you'd gotten four fish?

Things were a bit slower for us on Sat from what Chris told me about Friday.