It is finally Springtime! What is your favorite Spring activity? Kayaking, biking, camping, fishing, Turkey hunting? We are ready for all of it! The weather is looking nice and the rain has slowed down. The fish are biting better and the water has warmed up some. The flow rate has dropped to 680cfs and the kayaks are ready to go. We are planning several events for the next few months so be sure to tune in each week to learn about what is happening.
Fishing:
Bassmaster Classic – what a weekend! We had a blast watching our favorite pros catch some monster bass. Ott DeFoe put on a big show and took home the win for 2019. We learned about new products launching later this year and we brought a few new items back with us. Did you make it to the tournament or watch it online? What were your thoughts? We would love to hear from you.
The white bass are starting to run in Tennessee, the smallmouth are biting in the Clinch River and the walleye should be making an appearance again soon in several areas. We have the cranks, jigs and spinnerbaits to put the fish in the boat. We also have small & medium minnows as well as large shiners in stock now! Come see us and stock up on your favorites.
The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries just stocked Big Cedar Creek yesterday and the Upper Norton Reservoir on Monday. We have a huge selection of trout gear to help you catch your limit. Book a fly fishing trip with our guide, Daniel, during the month of March and we will provide a half-day lesson for one person free of charge!
We have plenty of Hawg Troughs in stock for your kayak fishing needs. These Hawg Troughs are the standard board for measuring fish in KBF and most local tournaments. Pick yours up now so you are ready for tournament season!
Kayaking:
We rent kayaks year-round and this year we have reduced our price for the 24-hour rentals. Rent any single-person kayak for a 24-hour period for only $20! We offer pick-up & drop-off services (when booked in advanced). Our guides have already been on the water a few times this year and are excited to get out there some more this weekend. Last week the water was still up a little, but it provided an excellent day of kayak fishing. Several smallmouth bass were caught, including one that was 18.75” long! We offer guided kayak fishing trips year-round, so call us today to book yours.
Clothing:
We are doing some Spring cleaning in the clothing sections of the store. All clothing, including logo-clothing, is 25% off through March 31, 2019. This includes everything from vintage wool to short-sleeve fishing shirts. Be sure to check out our selection of new and vintage fishing vests so you will be ready for your next guided fly-fishing trip! We are stocking new items each week so be sure to check in weekly for new finds.
Firearms:
Our featured firearm of the week is this new Mossberg 12 gauge youth model shotgun for only $339.99! This firearm has a shorter stock making it lighter and easier to carry through the woods. This would make a great firearm for Spring Turkey season. We also have a few new vintage firearms in stock. Come by and let us make you a deal!
Unique Item:
The unique item of the week is this Cherokee alphabet scarf by Frankie Welch. Frankie Welch was born in 1923 in Rome, GA. She is best known for designing scarves for prominent political figures which she sold from her boutique in Alexandria, VA. In 1967, as part of an initiative for the Native American education service, she designed a scarf featuring the Cherokee alphabet. Welch donated $1 from the purchase of each scarf to the Higher Education Fund of the Eastern Cherokee. Mrs. Welch continued to design scarves and dresses catering to many First Ladies and several Presidential Inaugurations. She retired to Charlottesville, VA in 2016.
Q&A:
Question – Where do the fish go during floods?
Answer – Generally fish look for any type of current break so they can conserve energy. For example, when Oxbow was flooded a few weeks ago, some fish were stranded in the roadway going over the dam. The fish had found the concrete barrier provided a current break and allowed them to rest. In the river, fish will move into creeks and in the higher areas along the banks where the water is slow or still. We have caught several fish along the banks of flooded rivers around large trees. Please, do not enter any dangerous areas or flooded roadways. Only fish when it is safe to do so.
Thank you for reading the blog this week. Be sure to check back next week to see what fish we caught! Until then, get out there and "Clinch Life!"