Eno...uff Already! Last Trip in NC - the Eno River

[Johnsfolly]

@Daryk Campbell Sr all good things must come to an end. If I didn't have to do that work thing, I would have posted this earlier 😉.

My last trip was to fish the Eno river in hopes of one last shot at a snail bullhead or the elusive roanoke bass before I have to pack it up and head back to Maryland. I will admit that I made a couple of real mistakes. The first was to not do more research on access locations on the Eno river. The second was to try and fish a popular state park access on a beautiful Sat afternoon 🤔. Anyway, I thought both of these things as I pulled into the nearly full (and somewhat large) parking lot. I still had on my waders from my trip out to Germanton for those crescent shiners that way I could just get my rods and tackle and head down to the river. On a side note, I did go into a McDonald's still wearing my waders. I figure any MCD's is like going into a Walmart so didn't think anything about changing before getting lunch 🤣.

As I got to the river, three of the primary spots where others have caught snail bullheads had screaming splashing kids or were really shallow. I walked downstream to get away from the crowds. I found a spot that had quite a bunch of smaller fish with red fins.

I knew that bull chubs and white shiners also had red fins. Not surprised that yet again my first fish was a bluegill. At least I got the skunk off 😉.

I followed up this bluegill by catching a bunch of redbreast sunfish. Seems that most of the shiner sized fish with the red fins were redbreast sunfish.

I did see a couple of 8 inch or so chubs swimming past me and always when I was unable to make a cast towards or in front of them 😒. I finally made a cast down between two boulders and hooked up with a possibly my first ever bull chub 👍. (still working on confirming its id). Also note the red fins.

I caught a few more sunfish. If you don't know I track each species that I catch. I do this by reciting my totals for each fish. For example, in this pool I would count 4 redbreast, 2 bluegill, 1 chub... then add the new fish into those totals. I will also often text my daughter or wife with the numbers and then reset my mental count. That system keeps me from having to need five or six separate counters on the water or as @Ham experienced having a small notepad to document my catches.

The next pool downstream had an uprooted tree in the water. I made a cast on the upstream side of the rootwad knowing that there is likely a deeper spot there. I hooked up immediately to another redbreast sunfish. As I was releasing the fish, I noticed a great blue heron standing about 15 feet from me near the other bank. I made another cast and caught another redbreast, then another. As I released them, I noticed that the heron would move its head towards me like it was trying to catch the fish. The next fish was a small redbreast and I tossed it to the heron, which it caught as soon as it hit the water. This was a mistake 😧. The next fish caught (7 redbreast...) was the largest one yet. as soon as the fish broke the surface near me, the heron flew right at me trying to eat the fish. I wanted nothing to do with trying to get the heron off my line if it ate the fish. I had my telescoping rod and pushed the bird away. I turned away from the bird and lifted the fish and the bird was right on it again. Again it got poked with the rod. I pulled the fish around in a circle while fending off the heron. After two circles, I made a break downstream keeping the fish under the water and away from the heron. Once I was about 60 ft downstream and behind a bit of bank, I was able to lift the fish and unhook it. I felt like I had invited in a vampire 😅.

I moved well downstream. I found that the next spot was easily accessed. I encountered more screaming children, dogs, lovers, etc. I did find a pool with a number of confirmed minnows with red fins. I was able to catch my first white shiner and several of the possible bull chubs.

white shiner

Possible bull chub

I tried for some darters and had no love. Further downstream I made my last stand for the day. Caught a few more bluegill and my 19th redbreast sunfish of the trip. No roanoke bass or snail bullheads were caught. It was a beautiful day. I could not fault people wanting to visit this great location.

I should have tried for more secluded access to this river. But I will have to come back better informed and ready.

[Ham]

Fun report John. The chickens get no love from me ever. I’ll never feed my fish to a begging bird. Never ever ever.

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

Thank you for the follow up.   Including the mishaps, seems like a good time.  

 

I used to follow an early YouTube fisherman that fished the Eno.  He called himself Uncle Steve.  His YouTube channel is adamitshelanu.  He had many experiments.  Well rounded smart man.  

[Ham]

16 hours ago, Johnsfolly said:

 

. If you don't know I track each species that I catch. I do this by reciting my totals for each fish. For example, in this pool I would count 4 redbreast, 2 bluegill, 1 chub... then add the new fish into those totals. I will also often text my daughter or wife with the numbers and then reset my mental count. That system keeps me from having to need five or six separate counters on the water or as @Ham experienced having a small notepad to document my catches.

Plenty of people think I’m nuts for keeping up with numbers of fish caught or species or locations etc. My obsessive and hypergraphic tendencies Pale in comparison to those that John has. I’m sure that level of attention to statistical detail is essential to his vocation, but Bless His pea picking heart. I’ll just stick to my clicker and the occasional list on my phone. 

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

2 hours ago, Ham said:

Plenty of people think I’m nuts for keeping up with numbers of fish caught or species or locations etc. My obsessive and hypergraphic tendencies Pale in comparison to those that John has. I’m sure that level of attention to statistical detail is essential to his vocation, but Bless His pea picking heart. I’ll just stick to my clicker and the occasional list on my phone. 

If someone who hasn't met him reads this, he sounds mundane.   You and I know he is full of color, but very interested in his lifers and confirmation.   

[Ham]

I love to fish with John. He’s my Homey. I wished he lived next door. He’s not mundane, but could learn to celebrate Fun catches more. 

[FishnDave]

We've certainly all got our own bits of crazy.  And we can all say this about something or other: