There are fish in there...

Just returned from a chilly wade in Chickahominy. It's a gorgeous day, glassy surface, air temp pushing 60 degrees, and the water wasn't in bad shape. In fact, a good 18" visibility, which is pretty good considering we had gusts to 50 mph just a few days ago. The chilliness was mostly due to the fact that in the first wade of the year I learned of a nearly dime sized tear in my waders. just below the knee. And I was wading waist deep. So, yes, there was water in both legs of the waders for over an hour. Chil-ee!

In the hour and a half which I spent testing my circulation, I landed one heavy fish, probably just over 20", and lost one other. I saw two fish caught by a boat trolling, and heard of a few fish caught by a couple of bank anglers. There were probably 8-10 fishing today. Word was that it fished very well over the past two days, and slowed today as the morning passed. I was also told that nearer the power lines the water became quite muddy, so possibilities exist that  visibility may decrease over the next week or two. Speaking with the game warden, I was told that a number of fish were removed by ice fishers this winter. Nonetheless, there are some dandy fish to be caught in Chick. Next trip out, I'll be trying boatman and beetles...as I left my recent ties sitting on my tying desk. Sheesh....

Blitzen:  I just heard that it's been fishing quite poorly. I was also told that carp have been found upstream further than where they were just a few years ago, possibly due to different management techniques. I will have to look into that. Increased numbers of river otters are also being blamed by some for some of the poor fishing.

Krumbo:  Hearing it is fishing fair, and also fished better a couple of weeks ago.

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