Fishing With Ben's Beetle-The Sequel

On Friday evening I met a fellow SRTU member up near the dam to fish the "falling water" when they turned the turbines off at six o'clock. I still had "Ben's Beetle" tied on from a previous trip. It has lost one leg and was looking a bit ragged but I was hopeful as I stepped into some very chilly and fairly swift fog obscured water. A few casts later in that foggy cloud bank I had a rise and temporary hook up. This repeated itself three times in a row. I could see the rise, the line would straighten out and my rod with give a good bend but I could not close the deal. Some of you folks who are devote catch and release fishermen might have been tempted to count these but personally I don't do a mental tally until I place my hands on the fish. No matter, at least I knew my three legged beetle was still drawing attention

My first stop had been right near the dam but after a half hour I moved downstream
to another spot. This one was the ticket because I was soon tight to a pretty brown which finally stayed on long enough for it's "Kodak moment". This repeated itself a half dozen more times until dark, which came early due to heavy cloud cover. Ben's beetle ended the evening very much the cripple with only one leg

I had planned to try the beetle down in the Hay Field area Saturday morning but heavy rain during the past two days had turned the entire Smith River below Town Creek the color of well creamed coffee. The only game left in town was up near the dam. I was out of beetles but a call to the "Beetle Man" revealed he was on his way up for a day of fishing. I worked on deer stands in the morning and made a date to meet my beetle distributor near the dam at 4pm. At the appointed hour I spied Ben in a long stretch of water working his way to our predetermined link up point. Not five minutes later the sky opened up in one of those torrential rains with sun shining all around. I ran for the cover of my truck but poor Ben was stuck in the middle of the river with steep banks on both sides. It lasted just long enough to thoroughly soak the unfortunate Beetle Man. With a handful of authentic beetles I went to the same area I had slain them the night before. The water was clear, low and with very little current. The night before it had been much deeper with a current that made you think twice before stepping in. I went a long way before catching one with a blind strike, i.e. started to pick up for a new cast and he was on without my seeing the strike. I caught one more on the beetle. I even tied on a different color which Ben was experimenting with but could not draw another fish. I finally arrived at a good "get out" point which I took advantage of. I walked back to my truck, switched rods and started doing what I do best, which is fish a nymph. I fished up through the same section I had earlier fished with a beetle.

On my 2nd cast I hooked up with a rainbow which would push the 20 inch mark. It was definitely the biggest trout I have caught this year. It had fallen for a Zebra Midge hung below an Allieworm. As luck would have it the battery on my camera had died. I love this Pentax Optio W30 but if you fail to shut it off after taking a photo it will drain the battery in short order. (My previous camera used to shut itself off if there was no activity in about a minute - if this one has that feature I have not figured it out) - After a nice fight I released the rainbow and promptly caught it's 12 inch sibling on the next cast.

It wasn't exactly a fish on every cast but I did catch an even dozen in the short run where I had previously fished the beetle. Could I have done the same thing with a nymph the night before when the beetle had been so effective? I don't know and don't really care. It was fun fishing both ways. It certainly shows that you need to have more then one trick up your sleeve. If one method is not working you can continue to beat the water to a froth or you can change tactics and just maybe catch a few fish.

Best part of the whole weekend was fishing with a couple of good friends.

Contributed by: Albert Kittredge

Smith River W/ Ben's Beetle

I had a little time to spare before helping theVDGIF "shock" sample the Smith River (last week of July 2009) so decided to try some foam beetles sent to me by my good buddy Ben who drives all the way from South Carolina on a regular basis just to fish the Smith. Most of you know that I am not much of a top water fisherman but after listening to Ben talk about his beetle I figured I owed it a try.

Generation out of Philpott Dam for the past week has been 1-7pm which does not leave much time for fishing the evening hatch. It was 7:30 Monday evening before I dared to step in the water about 200 yards downstream of the dam. Those of you who have not experienced the fog bank coming off the water right after generation during the heat of summer owe it to yourselves to try it. That 44 degree water is also pretty bracing - Wet wading would not be a good choice.

I had only made a few casts to straighten my line when a very nice brown made a big splash as it mistook Ben's beetle for the real thing.

I really wanted to fish further downstream so jumped back in my truck and drove to a spot I knew held a lot of fish (As was shown by the sampling that could be any spot on the Smith). The water was still falling, so once again I was forced to wait. At about 8 o'clock I stepped in and was rewarded with another nice brown

I did not move more then 25 feet before 7 fish were fooled by Ben's beetle - Some of them were pretty nice ones.

One thing I did notice was a lot of the fish were just getting down stream of the beetle and opening their mouth as it floated to them. No fancy splashes, just sipping them in. With the fog and failing light I several times I did not realize I had a fish on until I went to make my next cast ( A purists probably would not have counted the blind strikes but I did anyway)

The following morning I arrived at the first sampling site behind the Mirror Factory about an hour earlier then the appointed time for the DGIF arrival. I donned my waders, grabbed my rod and headed downstream to the beginning of the sampling area. It took awhile and I was about to switch to my favorite nymph but Ben's beetle finally came through. They came fairly regular in the 100 yard stretch we would soon be sampling.

Last fish was caught just as the DGIF crew was setting up at 10:30. It was a nice one and it was also one of those "sippers" which did not reveal itself until I went to make my next cast.

So there you have it. It was a good experiment and gives me one more trick in my flybox. With my llieworm and Ben's Beetle we have them covered top to bottom.

Contributed by: Albert Kittredge

A Marvelous Manifestation

Why then the fog...thick cloud blankets of mystery that hide the rivers face
does it also bare the rivers soul ?
For some, the fog is only there, only a cover, but some see what lies within, what mystery, what possibilities, as the fog settles upon its humble river spirit...

The Smith has many faces; haven for trout, clean fresh supply for our daily water needs, a paddlers playground...and the keeper of the mist....


The chilly 45 degree waters from the bottom of Philpott lake are unleashed in a mighty rush of power as hydro electric generation supplies our daily energy hunger, free to course through the mighty arteries that pump this life blood through the heart of our basin... the essence of life, washing clean the transgressions of the previous days heat.

As this torrent of frigid water subsides, the collision with the tepid summer air creates the famous "Smith River Fog"

Just a simple matter of physical properties, of temperature and humidity...or maybe it's perhaps a spiritual reminder of generations long gone and the river that sustained them, a hint at our past and a glimpse of our future. Maybe a promise of renewal and hope.

It brings a beauty and serenity to our stressed out, hyper-paced, digital lives. At the very least, it should serve as a tangible reminder of the vigilance and determination we all must endure in the protection of this gift, this natural resource, this emerald treasure.


Share your "foggy' stories and misty pictures.
What does it mean to you ?
Send us your best river fog scene or short story and we'll put here to share
Send pics to bwilliams@danriver.org

The fog takes...the fog gives: By Barbara Parker

Smallmouth on the Smith

July 4th, Smallies !

A beautiful and "scrappy" smallmouth bass being released back into the river

On Saturday, Darrin and I headed out to the Smith River to do some fishing and take a few pictures. We also had to try out his new canoe, a used 15 ft. Buffalo he'd just bought a few weeks ago. Trout are usually our number one priority but today we set our sites on Smallmouth. For this trip, we’d be running the lower Smith somewhere between Martinsville and the Dan River. I’d tell you where, but its top secret !

I can tell you it was a really beautiful section of river with no access points for at least 7.5 miles. We had enough water to make it down the river without getting hung up on any of the numerous small rapids and gravel bars. So we dropped off a truck at the take out point and then got on the water by 3:30. I’m familiar with most of this particular section of river and had previously fished it for smallies. The first hole we came too, I told Darrin, “there’s usually one or two right here” No sooner had I got the words out of my mouth when Darrin hooked up with the first bronze-back of the day, and it was a nice one.

The "bronze-back" flash of a nice smallmouth is seen just under the surface as Darrin brings him to the boat.

Man them smallies can put up a fight !. Our plan of attack was to run downstream and catch an eddy, turn into the current and make a few cast before drifting on through each hole. It wasn’t long before we realized that we would never be able to cover all the good water we were seeing so we kept up a fairly good pace only stopping briefly at each site.. The smallies were cooperating and we had plenty of action with lots of chunky bronze beauties, all of which we released back into the river.

This section of the Smith is remote and the scenery is outstanding. It’s a little run section due to lack of access points but it certainly deserves high marks for rock outcrops and gravel bars. We picked up a few nice redbreast and a rock bass as well, but our main objective was smallmouth... and we were not disappointed.

Another chunky smallmouth is released

I knew we’d be close to dark getting off the river but about 2 miles before our take out, Jenn called to report that she was having car trouble on 220, so we started paddling to get to the bridge as soon as we could. We had to pass up a lot of great water...I kept trying to pick up my rod and cast but Darrin would say, "just keep paddling". We still had to get the canoe out and up a steep bank before getting back on the road. Its unfortunate that Jenns car broke down but its probably a good thing or we might have been on the river long after dark…or at least till the smallies quit biting ! Darrin did call later that evening to report they all made it home and the truck had overheating due to a bad thermostat. Oh well, we got a great excuse to go back now...there's lots of good looking water we missed...course, we'll probably be out past dark next time too ! (sorry Jenn)

Old Town "Vapor" Kayak Review
by Andy Parker

Barbara, Drew, and I ventured out late Friday afternoon and did the dam to Bassett run with the new boats. I must say, they are extremely comfortable (great seat!), very stable, and maneuverable. A spray skirt would have come in real handy when the river is cool on these evening runs.

(Editors note: On Sunday the Parker's did the Marrowbone to Mitchell Bridge run with their new boats and say the kayaks are doing great and they are pleased with thier performance. They also report that the mountian laurels are in full bloom along the Gravely nature preserve.)

Thanks Andy and Barbara !

Marrowbone to Mitchell Bridge

Over 30 boaters spent a beautiful Saturday morning on a leisurely float down the Smith River from the Marrowbone Creek Access to Mitchell Bridge.

This 3.5-mile "blueway" section of the Smith River Trail is incredibly diverse and scenic, as well as one of the most popular floats for novice and experienced boaters alike. Canoes and kayaks of all shapes and colors cast off at 10:30 a.m. led by Dan River Basin Association President and trip coordinator, Wayne Kirkpatrick, along with volunteer assistance from Charlie Williams, Betty Kirkpatrick, and other DRBA members.

Heading out from Marrowbone Creek into the Smith River, boaters gather at the confluence.
For the first half mile of the trip, the river flows alongside the Gravely Nature Preserve where paddlers enjoyed views of the lush Rhododendron and Mountain Laurel thickets.

Perhaps one of our most popular sections of the Smith River is also one of our most beautiful. Following the "emerald ribbon" past hardwood ridges and over gentle rapids, the meandering flow carries travelers past towering sycamores, beech and river birch, as muskrats dive under water and kingfishers zip upstream calling wildly and searching for their next meal. Trilliums and showy orchids hide alongside a small stream flowing into the river at the far end of the Gravely Nature Preserve, only discovered by the most observant,

while the pinxter azealas hang out over the water, hard to miss with their showy pink blooms, stunning this time of year, but soon they too will yield to green as Spring gives way to Summer.

Henry County, in partnership with the Dan River Basin Association, has made the Smith River accessible to the public over the past two years by building public access points at five new sites along the river, including the Marrowbone Creek Access. There are currently 6 canoe access sites on the Smith River betweem Philpott Dam and the North Carolina line. Several more ramps are needed to allow the public additional access to enjoy and appreciate one of Henry County's greatest natural assets.

The last set of rapids is in site at Long Island and too soon the trip is done.

It seems the trip just got started and now it's time to leave. At Mitchell Bridge, the boaters take out and leave the river behind, some a little more damp than others, with photos and memories of one of Henry County's hidden treasures.

Outings and meetings of the Dan River Basin Association are open to the public without charge. For information on the Dan River Basin Association visit http://www.danriver.org/.

Want to Find a Trout? Call a Buddy!

With 2,800 miles of trout streams, Virginia is rich with coldwater angling opportunities. No matter where you live in the Commonwealth, there's superb trout fishing within a 3-hour drive.

The 2009 Trout Guide is chock full of useful information including maps showing wild trout, special regulation, and stocked waters. www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/trout/. Maps are easily downloaded and cross referenced with DeLorme's or another similar state-wide atlas.

Fish-with-a-Friend programs, wher members guide others on their favorite streams. Call your chapter president and ask about Fish-with-a-Friend or for suggestions regarding great water.

Please, fish ethnically and pradtice cath and release.

Martinsville - Smith River - B.J. Walker, President

434-728-1419 - bjfireresq@embarqmail.com

Article taken from Trout Unlimited