Griff

It's quite possible to fish from the bank during high water, especially with spinning gear. I'd be very, very cautious if wading.

I think I originated the Disco Bugger. It has 3 great selling points. #1, it's easy to tie, #2, it catches fish, lots of them, #3, it's cheap to tie, uses only 3 materials including hook. Go to Wal-Mart, buy a skein of Disco Yarn in your choice of color, tie it in at bend of hook, you can furl it for a tail if desired, not necessary in smaller sizes. Wrap the yarn forward to tie-off point, stroking fibers back after each wrap. Double or triple strands of yarn for larger sizes. Super easy, super effective.

Haven't fished the Spring at all this year. Anything new that I should know before I go?

That smell has become very common on the Fork every fall for the past few years.

John, this is a big concern to me, as well. I feel that I'd rather spend a half hour on redial than get information that's hours old. I'm told that the info doesn't change until generation changes, but am not sure about that as yet. It doesn't do much to instill confidence.

I think it's likely that county officials are deeply involved in this.

I fish this river on almost a daily basis, and here are my thoughts. I was at Quarry Park Saturday morning watching red mud slide into the Fork from Overlooked Mistakes....there were several fishermen standing around cursing as the water changed color. At Norfork Cabins, there was a large gravel bar; it is now a large mud flat. As far as cleaning this crap up, I don't know what can be done. You can hardly kick it loose with your boots. There are suckers by the thousands in the Quarry Park area. I've been fishing this area for years, and have never seen suckers this far up the river. It's too cold for them. The only reason I can see for their presence is hunger. It's not spawning season, as has been suggested by others. The presence of insects is cut by half below the run-off point for Overlooked Mistakes. This will undoubtedly continue down the river for years, maybe forever. Who knows? I think Mr. Doyal should be stripped of all assets and they should be used to pay for cleanup.

I personally checked the runoff after our last big rain, 7/28, I think, and it was horrendous. Whatever efforts have been made are apparently largely ineffective. Most times when we have a big rain, the White is muddy and the Fork is clear. This time it was reversed.

Dano, I think you and I both know where that spot is.

Technically, it IS illegal to drink on the river. Since Fulton and Sharp counties are dry, it's illegal to drink on public property, which includes the river. Try drinking on the shoulder of the highway and see how long you last before being hauled in. The river is in the same class of property. Like most other situations of this type, tolerance flows in the direction of money.