MountaineerLegion

I've had numerous encounters with wardens in VA. Each and every one was polite and professional. My first experience was hunting geese. It was the early goose season and this was about my second hunting trip ever. I didn't own a single piece of hunting clothing. We were hunting in shorts, flip flops, and t-shirts. We were in an old run down blind that is never grassed up or used (there are no blind licenses west of I95). Anyway, I'm talking with the guy who is kinda showing me the hunting ropes when "poof" a warden was standing in the door to the blind. I was amazed how he materialized out of nowhere. So he checks our licenses, checks to make sure we're shooting steel and checks to make sure our guns only hold three shells. We checked out fine and the guy laughs and said, "I was certain you two were up to no good, you just didn't look like hunters...I guess you never know". He chats with us for a few minutes and told us to enjoy our hunt. Nice guy. Second time I was hunting wood ducks with a friend. I got my limit but my friend was one short. He had knocked a bird down but we couldn't find it. After dragging our canoe back to the truck he heard a bird back on the beaver pond. Not one to end a day short a bird if he could help it he said he was going to walk back the 100 yds to the pond and try to jump shoot it. He took about four steps into the woods and BANG. I thought he just wanted to say he missed and avoid the walk all the way back to the pond. About 15 seconds later he walks out of the woods holding a flapping wood duck. I almost fell off the tailgate of the truck I was laughing so hard. He had stumbled across the bird he had knocked down. Anyhow, a game warden walks up and wants to know whats so funny. We told him the story and he laughs and says he figured the way we were whooping it up that we must have been drunk and were surely way back here in the woods taking more than our limit. He checks us out and again everything is fine. He hung around and told stories with us for about twenty minutes and told us to have a good day. Again a nice guy. Adding to those encounters, I have to attend a special briefing every year because I hunt in secure areas on a military base. There is a warden there every year. He always takes time after the meeting to talk with anyone who wants to talk. Since he is out in the field all the time he routinely tells me where he's been seeing birds and he's not blowing smoke...I've taken his advice several times and found birds.

Here is one my son caught just last week, 23in, 3.6 pounds (4lbs or 24in are the citation levels here in VA... It did engulf the lure and bleed badly so we kept it...haven't eaten it yet though. As for the heavy metal (mercury, lead, etc.) I'm interested to know where you all have heard this? I presume you are referring to biomagnification which is possible in any apex predator. Since a large bass or a large pickerel are both likely to be apex predators in a pond I don't know why a pickerel would have any higher levels of heavy metals than the bass. Anyone know? As for the guy who ate the fish the dogs chewed the head off....who'da thunk a fish left laying around on a lake and then been chewed up by a dog would taste bad. :

Sam, you're right Eagle's Nest ramp is better. I have a Lowe 16' so I have no problem with the ramp at Ed Allens and you can put a big boat in there. To give you an idea why I like Ed Allens, they have a lakeside restaurant. It was closed on the day I fished. I said something about it being closed and and the guy said it was his day off but he would open it up for me and cook me a burger if I wanted. I didn't want him to dirty up the grill just for me so I said no but I've launched there since. Anyhow, it's a fun lake to fish regardless of which ramp you launch from.

I fished it today, and this past Sat, Sun, Mon. Water temps are in the low 40s...43 degrees up in the creeks. I've been chasing the pickerel and they are hitting. I've also picked up several bass in the mouths of the smaller creeks...a little farther up in the big creeks. There were several boats out on the weekends, far fewer during the week, maybe 6-7. Had the lake to myself today. By the end of March into April I would expect significantly more boats. By the way, I prefer Ed Allens launch, good folks.

Are you all fishing the warm side? Neither Sturgeon nor High Point are on that side of the lake. I duck hunt out of both and you'll need wings to get to the warm side of the lake from there. Sturgeon will put you in closer to the reactors but High Point is a better launch in my opinion, especially if there are several of you. I know where the warm side is considering we have had this house since the early 90's thanks for the tip tho. I was simply sayin I would drive 20 minutes to the marina to meet ppl and have them follow me. On a sidenote we fished 3 hours today. Only d y k e one had warm water, everywhere else on the lake was 45-50 degrees. I did manage one about 14 inches long on I'm a dork one about 15 minutes after we got there. The fish just didnt turn on today. Its hit or miss out there. my mistake Steve, I thought from the question about the marinas, you all saying you were from up north and others saying this was their first Anna trip etc. that you all weren't familiar with Anna's set up. The point about the house also clears up for me how you all were getting access to the warm side. That's a primo piece of property to own.

Thanks guys...I stopped by after work tonight and now own one. Here's hoping I can find a similar deal on a good battery.

Mike, I did check online before posting. I had several motives for posting anyway... First, the best price I could find online was $239. I wanted to let folks know they were going out the doors at that price in case anyone else was in the market. Second, The price Gander was selling them at seemed a little too good to be true. I wondered if my post would solicit some info I was not aware of about the model, company, market prices in general, etc. Third, I'm just getting back into fishing after close to twenty years. I generally Google any significant purchase (and some insignificant), but why should I stop there when I could come to a forum like this where people often want to pass on opinions and information. Perhaps someone else had just completed their research and had the info readily available. They feel good about passing on some knowledge and I pick up some info. Fourth, It's an ice breaker and a way to meet folks through the board. You know, nice folks with common interests who enjoy being social...well, maybe you don't. My apologies if I compelled you to post when you didn't want to. edit: Just another thought Mike...since Google didn't return that price, perhaps it isn't always the best way to find a deal.

Gander has these NIB on clearance for $170 plus tax...deal? or will I find it cheaper later?

I've only fished for them once...with darts, small spoons, and this thing they call a "piscator" rig...basically it's a 6 fly trot line. Truth be told they were a hoot to catch and I'm told if you are out when they are hot you can catch 30-50 in a day. I'm going to fly fish for them this year...already started tying up some flies.

Are you all fishing the warm side? Neither Sturgeon nor High Point are on that side of the lake. I duck hunt out of both and you'll need wings to get to the warm side of the lake from there. Sturgeon will put you in closer to the reactors but High Point is a better launch in my opinion, especially if there are several of you.

My wife and I just got back from Vegas and we saw a comedy show out there called Defending the Caveman. The comedian says of men, "if we're not ragging on you THEN you know we don't like you". Pretty funny show if you get the chance.

Hey NewAngler, I didn't notice you were from Stafford because I skipped over your post when I saw the redskins logo.

I'm not a "big boat" guy either. I have a Lowe 1648 with a temperamental 35hp Johnson...actually it's a duck hunting boat that normally "sits" most of every summer....but not any more.

No dues, no stress, just fish?? How can that be? Actually, I'm just getting back into fishing. I used to fish a ton, lm bass, smallmouth, flyfishing, catfish, trout...but then got married, had kids, etc. etc. Low stress is the kinda "club" I'm looking for. Thai, my dues are in the mail! Are you all "big boat" guys?

Hey folks, Brand new to the the forum and this thread caught my eye. How often do you all fish Anna? I live in F-burg and am just getting back into fishing after several years. How many tournaments does your club fish? Dues? Members? Fill me in.