ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – Outdoors Bound News & Field Notes is a collection of information that might be useful to anglers, hunters, and anyone who enjoys the great outdoors in Virginia.
insects and bass
This is the time of year when insect populations are high in Virginia. Not only are there aquatic insect hatches, but some terrestrial species are close to their beaks as well. That also makes this one of the best times of year to target smallmouth bass in the region’s streams, especially with fly-fishing gear.
Alex McCrickard is an aquatic education coordinator for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) and is an expert fly fisherman. He has posted an article on the DWR website on how to target smallmouth this time of year.
McCrickard says that largemouths feed heavily on insects like cicadas, grasshoppers and beetles, so using flies that mimic those insects, as well as the splash they make when they hit the water, can lead to fly-fishing success. .
Some of the main streams to target this time of year are the James River, Jackson River, and New River.
on the search
Pigeon and squirrel are in season right now. Archery season will open for deer, bear and turkey on October 1. The DWR reports good populations of all three species.
If you plan to hunt, this would be a good time to inspect your gear and make sure your license is in good standing. In addition to a Virginia hunting license, a bear license is required to hunt bears. A turkey and deer permit is required to harvest both species.
trout vision
Virginia’s statewide trout restocking program begins October 1. Several select streams throughout the state will receive trout restocking.
Have you ever wondered what trout see? There is research indicating that they can see some colors, specifically red, blue and green. Younger trout also have the ability to see some UV hues that humans cannot. Aside from those colors, everything else in a trout’s field of vision is black and white, and contrast is vital to what trout see when they hunt.
How can fishermen put that knowledge into practice?
While color can be important, focus on lures and flies that match the shape and movement of what the trout feed on. Since contrast plays a special role, trout look for things that are shaped and move like the things they are eating.