Visit Find Game (http://www.findgame.org), the Department's award-winning online public hunting lands locator!

For persons with disabilities: a calendar of hunting, fishing, and skill-building events, as well as areas designed for access to persons with disabilities can be found on the Department's online events calendar, accessible fishing areas page, as well as the VANWTF site(http://www.vanwtf.com).

L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery Schools’ courses are offered in the waters around Maine, Maryland and Virginia, allowing participants a chance to refine their fly fishing skills beginning in April.

Freeport, Maine (Vocus/PRWEB ) February 27, 2008 --The L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery Schools offers anglers a chance to hone their fly fishing skills in specialized courses and tours that are easily accessible to those visiting or living along the East Coast. These courses, offered in the waters around Maine, Maryland and Virginia, allow participants a chance to refine their fly fishing skills beginning as early as April, and continuing into fall. Costs range from $95 to $395 with a minimum age of 12.

When the summer winds down, many anglers put their fishing gear away. Those who know better head for the Potomac River's striper grounds.

By Mark Fike

In the 1970s, fishing for Potomac River striped bass (or rockfish, as they are locally known) was a big sport, both in terms of the number of anglers and the number of stripers it involved.

Usually the first signs of summer on the Eastern Shore of Virginia are warm sunny days, steady southwest breezes and the guttural calls of laughing gulls. For sportfishermen though, summer usually begins with reports of anglers catching those first red drum, as they continue to migrate north up the coast. And for many local surf-fishermen, the beginning of summer means beach-fishing action that will only get better as the days get longer.

In 1952, the Army Corps of Engineers closed the gates to the John H. Kerr Dam - giving Virginia and North Carolina a 50,000-acre playground, not to mention the flood control for which this lake was built.

Upper New River

Walleye fishing in 2008 will be very good on the upper New River from Fries Dam downstream to Allisonia. Crankbaits, jigs, and live minnows are working well and anglers are catching walleyes and fishing is getting better. In 2007, an angler survey showed anglers are catching more walleyes in February, March, and April than any other time. Catch rates of walleye from sampling in 2007 were high and this should also hold for fishing catch rates. There is a 20-inch minimum length limit on walleye in the upper New River, so throw back the little ones and catch them again.

Region 1 - Tidewater

Beaverdam Swamp: Tom Rummel reports that things are very "quiet" at the park. There is a little luck to be had with crankbaits but that is about it. The water is clear and cold.

The boat creaks. A soft June wind ruffles the young angler's hair. Girls giggle and boys roughhouse. There is a competition going on, but those who do the competing are still having fun to the point that the competition is one of the best parts of the trip.

Virginia has some of the premier smallmouth bass rivers in the country and things are looking up for 2008. VDGIF Fisheries Biologists are also continuing to lead the nation in research to learn more about how fish populations in these rivers work and how to better manage the fisheries to improve angling opportunity. Fisheries Biologist, Scott Smith, in south-central Virginia and the Chairman of the VDGIF Smallmouth Bass River Technical Committee, has worked with other river biologists around the state to come up with their latest forecast of what anglers will encounter as they hit the smallmouth bass rivers this year. Scott wants anglers to know that DGIF biologists are working hard on a number of issues facing smallmouth bass fisheries, like the fish kills on the Shenandoahs and Upper James, but overall anglers should see increasing numbers of smallmouth to pursue. Any smallmouth angler will want to check out the 2008 Smallmouth Bass River Fishing Forecast as they plan their river fishing outings:

The four regional upcoming sportsmen's shows feature seminars, exhibits, demonstrations and contests promising fun and exciting new activities for everyone in the family. Experienced and novice sportsmen can try the latest in new equipment and learn about new places to enjoy Virginia's great outdoors. All the shows feature activities for kids to spark their interest in outdoor adventures. VDGIF staff will be on hand to provide information on hunting and fishing opportunities and agency programs to manage fish and wildlife resources. Each show offers something different, so check each show's Web site for all the details.

It is with great pleasure and excitement that I have the opportunity to present the inaugural issue of MARLIN WORLD.

LINK TO MAGAZINE: http://viewer.zmags.com/showmag.php?mid=pgptf

1. Click anywhere on the screen to ZOOM in and read.

The idea for Outdoorsman Exchange came about in an instant, but in a way it was sometime in the making – we just didn’t realize it at the time.

For years my husband, Paul, has wanted to go on an elk hunt. I’ve encouraged him many times. He and his brothers talk how they should all go elk hunting out west with their Dad before age took its toll on him. Pursuit of that dream sounded good but there was always the financial reality check that held my husband back. He couldn’t justify spending money on a guided hunting trip and felt a guided trip was the only way to go for a successful hunt. This voice inside kept telling him - we need to save money for more sensible things like kids braces, college funds, etc. Most everyone can relate to these thoughts, unless you’re an heir to a fortune.