Had an interesting fishing experience up at Lake George. It was my first time up there, and a family trip where I couldn't disappear fishing every day, so I left my boat and yak at home, and booked a short morning trip for Danny, my brother Doug and I. It was definitely one of the more "interesting" trips I've booked (and I've fished with tons of captains and guides). A week and a half before the trip, at the height of the tourist season, you kinda get who you can get, and most everyone seems to run the same trips anyway. I'd had a recommendation from a friend, but of course he was booked through September. I spoke with our guide whom I found on Google, letting him know that we didn't mind trolling downriggers for a while early, but if it was slow, would much rather just switch over to targeting smallmouth. The day arrives and my son Dan and I meet my brother Doug around 6:30ish at the dock. The 7:00am departure times arrives, and our guy is not there. That's pretty damned annoying to say the least. I could see at his 7:05 arrival that the "plan" was a non-starter, as the only rods he had were trolling setups, and a look at his chart plotter on the way out confirmed he hadn't altered his routine in God knows how long. Run to one spot, troll, run back. A little chatter on the way out was not in his wheelhouse, but we were fishing soon enough, and he did know what he was doing. Pretty soon a rod went off, and so did the captain. Not sure if he was over caffeinated or just naturally high strung, but I about jumped out of my skin as he let out a high pitched, "fish on!" From the reaction, one might think that a school of yellowfin had hit every rod in our spread. He coached Danny who landed the first lake trout of the day, and the process repeated itself often enough to keep us busy. I let Danny and Doug take most of the fish, as frankly I was more entertained by the manic scenes than catching 20" lake trout. I even watched a few rod tips go and just sat, waiting to see how long it would take for the others to notice and the hilarity to ensue. In the end, I couldn't really complain as we all caught some fish, had a decent time, and a really good laugh about the entire experience over a late breakfast when we returned.
Thursday, August 12, 2021
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
My Choice for the Trenches? .303 Lee-Enfield
What would you carry into the trenches of WWI? A look at my choice, the British .303 Lee-Enfield. Think you'd go with something else? Springfield M1903, Mosin-Nagant 91/30, or the Gewehr M98? Make your case!
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Reflections on a surreal few weeks and a look ahead.

-Redneckangler
Thursday, January 9, 2020
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
Recruiting a New Generation
I posted this on another site, but thought I'd throw it up here as well. The environment in CT is a LOT different than back down south. I spent yesterday evening at my monthly rod and gun club meeting with Tom Donlon from the CT DEEP discussing hunter recruitment. The overall numbers lost each year are more than sobering. At the rate of decline, there will be nobody left to fight for rights in another decade. Despite comments I read about cuts to programs, the CT DEEP DOES have federal funding and NRA support for hunter recruitment programs, BUT they need every hunter to get out there and recruit at least one new person this coming year, and not someone who has family or other connections to hunting already. Clubs and hunters need to recruit outside of their traditional membership base. CONVINCE YOUR HIPPY NEIGHBOR WHO BUYS $25 FREE RANGE CHICKENS THAT HUNTING IS REALLY THE MOST ETHICAL AND HUMANE WAY TO HARVEST MEAT, AND GET HIM OR HER OUT IN THE WOODS. DON'T START HUMMING DUELING BANJOS EITHER!!!! WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE THEM, NOT SEND THEM SCREAMING BACK TO STARBUCKS. Letters to reps are great and need to keep coming, but either recruitment happens, or you can count on more and more legislation to eventually cut hunters out of all public lands here in CT.
https://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2700&q=429892
https://www.nrahlf.org/articles/2019/1/18/connecticut-hosts-popular-venison-processing-workshops/
https://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2700&q=429892
https://www.nrahlf.org/articles/2019/1/18/connecticut-hosts-popular-venison-processing-workshops/
Thursday, July 11, 2019
Bucket list fishing destination - Virginia? You bet!

You'll find headwaters of the James River
and Shenandoah Rivers
in the western mountains, with cool spring fed streams and tributaries that
fish well year round for trout, while the main rivers also hold smallies,
largemouth, muskies and more. I take my 2wt glass rod and run the fire roads up into locations where you can fish all day and never see another human being, or drop my yak into the South Fork of the Shenandoah to chase smallmouth and the elusive muskies. My favorite shop in the Valley is Mossy Creek FlyFishing, and their site provides a wealth of information.
If trophy largemouth is your thing, plan a day on either Smith
Mountain Lake
(frequent stop on the pro tours) or Lake
Anna . Both have the added bonus of
landlocked stripers as well. To the far south, you have the Roanoke River/Kerr
Reservoir and Lake Gaston .
All of these are large bodies of water for which a boat or kayak would be
needed, and there are plenty of rentals available if you don't bring your own,
as well a fishing guides who will provide everything you need, most importantly
their knowledge of the local waters, for your outing.

The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is a great place
to go for both ideas and all the information on licensing, etc. I'm more than
happy to point people in the direction of some of my favorite shops, guides and
locations.
Again, I've only just put a dent in what's available to fish
in Virginia . I always look
forward to getting back down and packing as much as I can into every free
minute, and never have close to enough time. What are you waiting for? Load up
the truck, the camper or whatever, throw the yaks on top, and head to Virginia
for a week of fishing!
Labels:
Blue catfish,
brook trout,
catfishing,
Dry River,
Fishing,
flyfishing,
Mossy Creek,
Redneckangler,
Shenandoah River,
smallmouth,
sportfishing,
travel,
Tripout Catfishing,
virginia fishing,
Virginia tourism
Friday, July 5, 2019
FlipRocks - A new option when wet wading, chillin' on the boat, or just around town.

Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Virginia Joins North Carolina in taking Unilateral Action
Virginia has joined North Carolina in taking unilateral action to partially close down rockfish/striper fishing. Several other North East states are exploring additional options. all of the data indicates we are approaching a critical point near the edge of that same cliff we went over in the 1980s. Have we learned anything since then? I certainly hope so.
- Press Statement
- | CBF in Virginia, Hampton Roads Office, Maryland Office, Annapolis, Virginia Office, Richmond
(ARLINGTON, VA)—The Virginia Marine Resources Commission voted today to close the trophy striped bass fishing season this spring following concerns about the striped bass population. Virginia's fall striped bass season remains unchanged. Next week the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission will consider a striped bass stock assessment that is expected to show that strong action is needed to conserve the fishery.
Maryland Says', "F*ck Everyone Else."
Maryland has a terrible record when it comes to protecting resources such as the rockfish/striper fishery, and while other states are beginning to take unilateral action, Maryland is foot dragging as usual.
The following link is to a recent op-ed in the Baltimore Sun by Mark Eustis who has for years been advocating for better policies to ensure the sustainability of our fisheries.
Maryland overfishing imperils rockfish population
The following link is to a recent op-ed in the Baltimore Sun by Mark Eustis who has for years been advocating for better policies to ensure the sustainability of our fisheries.
Maryland overfishing imperils rockfish population
American Saltwater Guides Association - Check It Out
For some of the most important and insightful, up to date information on the state of our striper fishery, I follow American Saltwater Guides Association. We're at another really pivotal point in the future sustainability of these fish, and I'd like to leave a thriving, healthy population for future anglers.
Parts One and Two of a 3 part series:
Part 1 - How Did We End Up Here?
Part 2 - Moving Forward...
Tight Lines,
RNA
Parts One and Two of a 3 part series:
Part 1 - How Did We End Up Here?
Part 2 - Moving Forward...
Tight Lines,
RNA
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