Hot weather evenings are a draw for anxious anglers to find a riverside seat and do battle with a big blue or channel catfish. While sweltering July days may keep some away from a favored fishing hole along the Potomac or Rappahannock Rivers, cool evenings and night time hours are a great summer season alternative. 
Lunker “whiskerfish” continue to attract lots of attention, especially at Port Royal Landing on the Caroline County side of the Rappahannock River. Conveniently located next the Route 301 Bridge, this locale provides a boat ramp, bait, tackle, boat rentals, food beverages and restrooms. Port Royal’s location on the “Rapp” puts anglers within minutes of some great catfish action. Those fishing for largemouth bass are also finding Port Royal Landing a good spot to launch a boat and fish. The upper tidal Rappahannock provides some of the best pristine beauty with much of it accessible only by small boat. As the river turns and bends between points of land, deep holes and wide shallow flats form a diverse and constantly changing habitat. Call Port Royal Landing at (804) 742-5820 for information on how to get there and where the fish are biting. Though you might be distracted by the beauty of the upper tidal Rappahannock and enjoy the trip just for the scenery, don’t forget your fishing tackle

     Virginia’s Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) has put out an early reminder to bird hunters to get “HIP” for the upcoming 2002-03 hunting season. The Harvest Information Program or “HIP” is an easy but mandatory requirement for those hunting doves and other migratory birds including waterfowl, rails, woodcock, snipe, coots, gallinules and moorhens.. After Virginia hunters obtain their 2002-03 hunting license, they need to either call 1-800-938-5263 or register online through the DGIF website at www.dgif.state.va.us . 

     Those who are exempt from purchasing a hunting license also have to register with HIP. For those with hunting licenses, the 10 digit HIP number can be entered on a line provided on their license. Those exempt from purchasing a license should carry the number written down on a piece of paper while hunting. Both Federal and Sate game law enforcement officers may check hunters for HIP registration. The DGIF notes that HIP registration cooperation benefits migratory game bird hunting in Virginia. A short survey list of questions which are completed when a hunter registers with HIP, helps identify what type of birds area being pursued by hunters. Follow-up surveys from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can then be directed to the appropriate hunters so that dove harvest surveys are sent to those with an interest in hunting doves. Hunters are reminded to register with each state’s HIP procedure, if they are hunting in more than one state during the season year. 

© 2002 Steve and Chelly Scala All Rights Reserved