Bruce Ingram.

JULY
Roanoke Bass
Nottoway River
What’s a Roanoke bass you may ask? Ironically, it’s not a bass at all but a close relative of the rock bass and truly the largest sunfish in Virginia. Living only in Virginia and North Carolina and in our state only in the Roanoke River drainage, this sunfish occasionally tops 2 pounds and has been known to reach 4 pounds. Imagine the strike of a rock bass (which is known for its vicious hits but lackluster fights) and the pulling ability of a bluegill (but multiply that fourfold because of the Roanoke’s size potential) and you’ll have a fair idea of what it’s like to battle this fish on light tackle.

The Nottoway flows through south central and southeastern Virginia, with its waters eventually entering the Tar Heel State. A number of access points exist for the waterway, and the VDGIF lists three possible excursions: Cutbank Bridge to Double Bridge (11.5 miles), Double Bridge to Route 630 bridge (five miles), and Peter’s Bridge to Carey’s Bridge (nine miles).

Please note that the VDGIF lists the Roanoke bass,

Although they thrive in the Nottoway, as a species of special concern because of its now limited range, so consider catch-and-release. This species has disappeared from much of the Roanoke River drainage because of siltation and competition with the rock bass. For more information, consult the VDGIF Web site at www.dgif.virginia.gov

AUGUST
Spanish Mackerel
Chesapeake Bay
Guide Ferrell McClain can’t wait for the Spanish mackerel action to peak every year in August.

“Spanish mackerel are really attracted to warm water and high salinity,” McClain said. “Mackerel start showing up in July, but in August they come flooding into the Chesapeake Bay. They stay here until around Labor Day and then when the water starts to cool, begin to move out, heading south.

“Mackerel really seem to be attracted to areas where there are rip currents. Places like Smith Point Bar, Windmill Point Bar and some spots west of Tangier Island really can attract the mackerel.”

The guide related that these dog days mackerel tend to run between 16 and 26 inches and often can be found in schools with bluefish of the same size -- both species forage on glass minnows among other baitfish. McClain said that trolling is the best way to catch the mackerel.

“Mackerel are good fighters and people like them for that fact, but they are also great to eat,” enthused McClain.

For guided trips, contact McClain at Bayfish Sport Fishing Charters, (888) BAY-FISH or www.bayfish.net

SEPTEMBER
Trout
Big Tumbling Creek
Big Tumbling Creek, which lies within the Clinch Mountain WMA, is well known as one of the Old Dominion’s three fee-fishing areas for trout. This makes the stream a very popular destination during the spring and summer periods.

What many anglers fail to consider, however, is that Big Tumbling continues to receive daily (except Sunday) infusions of trout through September and that water levels remain stable because of releases from Laurel Big Lake. Also of note is that Big Tumbling and two of its tributaries, Briar Cove Creek and Laurel Bed Creek, consist in total of some seven miles of trout water, which means that on many outings anglers will have long stretches of the watershed to themselves. Big Tumbling is a classic highlands rill with waterfalls and plunge pools, rhododendron and alder-shrouded pools, deep runs and boulders, and slicks and swift water. Although some places offer easy access to trout fans, in other places, folks will have to descend into a steep hollow through which much of Big Tumbling courses. Not surprisingly, those areas often offer the best fishing. For more information, consult the VDGIF Web site listed earlier.