Even the coldest waters are holding good numbers of trout stocked by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Feisty smallmouth bass are pouncing on Mepps spinners and grubs in the James and Shenandoah rivers. In short, the only thing an angler with an appetite needs is time to fish and a frying pan. The fish was one of 11 cats Eberwien assisted with in three days. Stripers of 6 to 8 pounds are attacking baits intended for catfish.
Hickory shad are plentiful at the fall line.
The river is running at 6.1 feet. The good news is that the temperature has warmed to 64 degrees. When water levels go down, smallmouth bass fishing should be good on shiners, chubs and jigs. While tied to Walkers Dam, Donald Newbold of Prince George County, his wife Carey Newbold and friend Lonnie Kitchen caught some 175 herring. Donald also caught an 11-6 bowfin.