Chick River Report 04-08

[Don French]

Well guys, I got off work early enough to spend the last hour of today on the river and here is the current situation;

It was a beautiful warm evening with a picture perfect sunset and almost no other boats could be seen.

There was quite an improvement in water temperature from just a week ago (47F), this evening I was reading 61.5F.

The tide was dead low below Walker's at sunset and crappie were chasing minnows on the flats in 2-4 feet of water.

Still well out from the shoreline cover, but back in from the drop off. fish could be seen feeding here and there. Every once in a while a small shad minnow would pop out of the water, only to be engulfed as it splashed down.

Fishing a 00 bettle spin harness with a Bobby Garland's 1/16 oz head and one of his tiny shad bodies I scarfed about a dozen nice fish, some with swollen bellies- obviously full of eggs. A 4 lb bass joined the catch along with some smaller bass. It was really enjoyable after a day spent installing a new main drive assembly in a printing press.

If you are fishing the river below Walker's Dam be sure to bring along a pair of binoculars and spend some time observing the Blue Herron rookery- it's just above the first creek on the right hand side going down river from the dam (Charles City side of the river). There are at least 20 nests in the cypress tops and the Herrons can be seen coming and going with food for the chicks. It is said that the Cypress stands from the Dam to Riverside Camp on the Charles City side constitute one of the largest Blue Herron rookeries on the east coast. It's fun to watch those awkward looking birds landing in the tops of trees. It sure looks funny, but they always seem to make it.

If I could appeal to your better nature, consider releasing any fish that you catch with swollen bellies for the next four weeks, especially the larger specimens. You will be assuring a good fishery for the next time you come down and fish the river.

Best Wishes

[HeyCharlie]

Thanks for the good information Don.

[drb]

wonderful report and information. Thanks Don

[diecutter]

nice report,thanks

[Jake]

v. good report and suggestion!!

[NavyAngler]

Great Report Don!! I agree with the release of the swollen belly fish!!!

[addictedangler]

Thanks Don. I am coming down from Pa to visit my in laws and have a hour or so to fish. Were you in a boat or can I do well from the floating dock? I promise I will not catch them all so any info is appreciated.

[Don French]

Glad you are coming on down. We are expecting a cold front to come through today (Friday) and the temp will drop from the 90 reading we had on Thursday to about 70 on Saturday. Surface water temp was 71 (!!!!) on Thursday afternoon and should remain fairly stable despite the cold front.

Crappie seem to have moved shallow, I am finding them in the 4-6 foot range, still back from the shoreline, on the outside of the drop off.

I was fishing from a boat. I don't know about the floating dock fishing below the dam, I never fish that area, mainly because of the ongoing dam reconstruction project.

There are jon boats with outboard motors for rent at Riverside Camp ( 804 966 5536). You should be able to do well with just a jon boat, bring a small paddle or a transom trolling motor with a battery. Position yourself at the upwind end of any large flat (across from Riverside, at the turn on the end of Turner's Neck, or off the houses on the New Kent side below the dam) and wind drift the flat while fan casting with a bettle spin type lure. You could also put a couple of long rods out with minnows or jigs below corks. Use the paddle for sculling or trolling motor to maintain the drift that you want.

I have been holding my boat in about 8 feet of water and casting in on a falling tide. This weekend the tide on the upper river should be falling about mid day.

I will be fishing at some point this weekend, after chores and personal business get done and will have an open seat in my boat. I just can't say when that will be at this point. If you wish, call my cell (757) 645 7038 and maybe we can arrange to fish together, if our schedules coincide. It will probably be Sunday before I get out.

Good Luck

[jim.b]

Great report Don!!!! Sure is good to get a report from up your way.

[addictedangler]

Thanks for the info. I just got it when I got back to Pa. Perhaps next time down we can get together, I would enjoy the opportunity to fish with you. I did well on Saturday off the floating dock at Rock a Hock. They were mainly tight under the walk an between boat slips. I keep 10 in the morning between 11 and 13 inches and threw a few smaller ones back. In the evening I fished my flyrod and keep 4 more all over 12 inch and a few throw backs. And don't get me wrong the trow backs were keepers but it was so good I had enough for a few meals with what I call the large guys. This is the best I have done for larger keeper crappie. I caught most on 1/32 ounce silver heads with white calftail. I think almost anything reasonable would have worked. Also the Hearing were in thick. Tony