James River 4/16

[Phil Lilley]

Drove and walked in to Taylor Shoals above Blunk late this afternoon after Duane's report. Good amount of water running thru and good color. Took the fly rod in and was glad I did. Chartruse clouser, they liked! But all but 1 was a small male white. I did see other sows and larger males caught but not many. I was fishing the top end of the slack water and others were below me. Everyone was catching from the bank but the guys in the boats were struggling in the fast water.

Duane said guys in the boats were catching on down from the shoal though.

Water temp 53.

Met a couple of guys at the shoal. One said he thought the whites would make their run Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I agree. It's not far off.

I left with an empty stringer... it was a long walk out in the dark and I didn't want to take a mess of small males home. Duane and Mona stayed and camped on the gravel bar. Great night to be out!

[slider]

Phil: Im sure you have heard this before, but right after you left they went to hitting the bettle preety good. All good fish. I had 9 my brother inlaw 12 and vonreed 15. I was glad there was a fire on the gravelbar I got cold and quite early and visited and warmed up. By the time I got to the top of the hill I was plenty warm!Tightline and I were talking the other day and lalfing about some of the older guys we usaed to fish with, we thought it was funny to see them stop halfway up the hill to rest. Now about 40 lbs heavier and 25 years older were the ones taking a break. Was got to meet you. slider

[tarpon14]

Put my kayak in at Blunk yesterday (4/16) - water was running pretty good compared to last weekend - and I forgot to bring an anchor. After paddling upsteram and drifting back catching a few small males, I beached the 'yak and started wading and throwing rooster tails. Attached pics show the few I brought back (foul-hooked the little males). They really turned on about noon - I quit at a little after one (darn, I hate having to work!).

[duckydoty]

fished most of the night last night and the fishing was good. This morning at 1st light started fishing again and fishing was great. The guys using minnows out in the boat in front of us were just killing them. Large females are being seen on the shoal now and we did catch a few large males this morning. Heading back down tonight. The next 3 days should be spectacular fishing!

[Phil Lilley]

Heading back with Marsha, her parents and my daughter Sara... a boat full. But they wanted to get in on the fun.

Pics for sure.

[Fishhand]

You guys have a great site that's full of useful information and good people. However, don't you think you may be putting a little too much information out there.... I realize the word is going to get out about the whites running, but, the hotspotting of specific areas is bogus, in my opinion. Hotspotting not only negatively impacts the fishery but it negatively impacts the enjoyment of a fishing trip. This is your site and you can do whatever you want, but, I sure wish you'ld quit hotspotting.

[duckydoty]

You guys have a great site that's full of useful information and good people. However, don't you think you may be putting a little too much information out there.... I realize the word is going to get out about the whites running, but, the hotspotting of specific areas is bogus, in my opinion. Hotspotting not only negatively impacts the fishery but it negatively impacts the enjoyment of a fishing trip. This is your site and you can do whatever you want, but, I sure wish you'ld quit hotspotting.

For the right amount of money, I'd be happy not to share the info about the hotspots I've found all by myself

BTW, had Beaver Creek almost all to ourselves this evening

[Phil Lilley]

You guys have a great site that's full of useful information and good people. However, don't you think you may be putting a little too much information out there.... I realize the word is going to get out about the whites running, but, the hotspotting of specific areas is bogus, in my opinion. Hotspotting not only negatively impacts the fishery but it negatively impacts the enjoyment of a fishing trip. This is your site and you can do whatever you want, but, I sure wish you'ld quit hotspotting.

Not sure how to please everybody... too much info... not enough info... not the right kind of info... "catch and release" or not<sorry- had to throw that in>

What would you suggest for admin? What message would you post to curtail too much detail or not enough detail?

I'm not knocking your comment... just pointing out that I don't think you can control free speach on a free forum.

I for one have always been as detailed and clear as I can possibly be here. And I'm not going to change.

[slider]

As fore hotspoting most of the good spots are good year in year out. Most everybody who fishes james, swan, beaver, etc. etc. know where to go and about when to go. If it wasnt posted on this site word of mouth will tavel just as fast. I dont care to post where Im catching fish and I would like to see other people do the same. It really seems like no body wants to post much about forsyth area or warsaw. As fore bass fisherman I can understand them not telling there spots if they are a tournament fisher. But fore whites, walleye, crappie, I dont see the big deal. Just my opionion. Slider

[rangerman]

Lilley its a good site, everything is fine. The one thing is white bass during the spawn is they are always moving. The named spots are good every year, however, the fish you catch one day are not usually the sames one you catch tomorrow. They are contstantly moving upstream if the conditions are right.

as far as hot spotting; there are alot of guys that depend on this issue to know where to start. There are alot of people that don't live in the area that need to know where to start looking.

Keep up the good work.