In fact, there are logical reasons for the blue boom, and increasing shad numbers are a part of that equation. The VDGIF instituted a restoration program for American shad in 1992 and millions of fry have been released into the James. Every year since 1999, shad have passed through the fish ladder at Bosher's Dam and have been doing so in ever-increasing numbers. Shad runs occur in April and May, and catfish are taking advantage of that phenomenon.

Jones added that from his experience, gizzard shad and white perch numbers also seem to be on the upsurge, and many fish of these species are finding themselves engulfed by the gaping maws of blues. Alewives are also improving in numbers, and the guide said that the past four years have all been good ones for baitfish reproduction.

In an era when guides like Jones expect their clients to catch numerous fish and some well past 40 pounds on any given excursion, and given the fact that catfish are among the best tasting fish, I had to ask the Richmonder if anglers were harvesting too many of the blues.

"I do ask my clients to consider releasing the trophy blues," he said. "And people are doing so after I take a few pictures for them. People seem to respect the necessity of catch-and-release in order to maintain this trophy fishery. In fact, a real catch-and-release ethic for blue catfish has come into existence on the Tidal James, and many guides are following it. What some fishermen are doing is taking their catfish to a local tackle shop, officially weighing the fish, and then returning them to the river and releasing them.

"But I also think that many fishermen don't want to clean a 30-pound blue. So when a catfish is kept, it is usually a 1- or 2-pounder. Folks seem to think that size fish tastes better."

Jones said that he is glad that the catch-and-release ethic on the James has come into existence. He said state anglers should be aware of what happened to the trophy catfishery that once existed on South Carolina's Santee Cooper. Anglers kept so many of the larger specimens that the quality of the fishery noticeably declined.

The guide related that commercial businesses also ply the James and take a considerable number of catfish. But he added that they mostly haul in small fish (1 to 3 pounds) and release the larger ones because the fillets of the former will more easily fit onto a restaurant plate.

Greenlee makes note of the commercial fishery as well.

"While the trophy aspect of this fishery gets most of the talk among anglers, there is an abundance of eating-sized blue catfish to be had throughout the Tidal James and its tidal tributaries," he said. "For several years now, there have been over 1.25 million pounds of catfish harvested annually from this system -- and this is not a bad thing.

"If anything, the commercial harvest has been one of the factors allowing blue catfish growth to remain at a level sufficient to sustain the outstanding trophy component of the fishery. In all of Virginia's tidal rivers where blue catfish occur, abundance of smaller fish, say up to 5 pounds, is almost unbelievable."