Outdoors notebook: Ceremony will honor first-time Expert Anglers

It's no secret that the waters of the southern Chesapeake Bay and adjacent Atlantic Ocean provide for some of the most diverse and exceptional fishing on the planet.

Several national fishing publications have deemed it so over the past couple of years.

But none of that is surprising to the legion of anglers - pretty good anglers - who work area waters.

According to the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament, 46 anglers joined the ranks of Expert Angler in 2007. Ten more were named Master Anglers.

To become an expert, anglers have to register award-winning fish in six species in a year's span. To become a master, anglers have to register 25 fish for awards in an unlimited time, with no more than one from each species during a year.

And evidence of a strong future comes from the 287 youth anglers who were named Virginia Junior Anglers for catching and releasing at least six species of fish in one year. There are no minimum sizes for anglers 15 and younger in the program.

"The different programs and the number who participate in them are a testament to the variety of good fishing we have here," said Lewis Gillingham, executive director of the tournament.

An awards ceremony for all first-time Expert Anglers will be held at 7 p.m. Friday at the Hampton Bass Pro Shops, 1974 Power Plant Parkway.

Although it is not an official part of the saltwater tournament program, competitive anglers keep track of who earns the most awards during the course of a year.

Of the 46 who caught at least six award-winning species, two stood out as the best of the best. Dr. Julie Ball of Virginia Beach and Darren Foster of Newport News each finished with citations for 19 species. Jamal Esfahani of Hampton was third with 13, followed by Sean Doran of South Mills, N.C., with 12, and Chad Stoker of Chesapeake with 10.

During the year, nine anglers advanced in the Master Angler program. Three of the best moved into uncharted waters. Craig Paige and Ball advanced to Level 5. Dr. Ken Neill of Seaford moved up to Level 4. The three account for more than 350 citations.

Flounder rules

Tuesday is a big day for Virginia flounder anglers. The Virginia Marine Resources Commission will decide on which of five new regulation options will be put into place.

Because of a federally ordered, coast-wide reduction of 21.6 percent, Virginia has to reduce its annual take.

Current regulations allow for a daily limit of five fish that each measure at least 18.5 inches. There are now closed seasons from Jan. 1 through March 31 and from July 23-28.

All options being considered are tighter. Two keep the 18.5-inch minimum but allow for only three fish a day. Another has a 19-inch minimum and four fish, while the last one has a 19-inch minimum and five fish. All have closed seasons.

Fisheries issues come before the commission after lunch. The meeting will be in the VMRC's office at 2600 Washington Ave., in Newport News.

Re-openings

The Norfolk Air Station Oceana skeet and trap range will re-open to the public on March 1.

The upgraded facility on Oceana Boulevard will have skeet, trap, wobble trap and five-stand sporting clays courses. The range also offers training and youth programs.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sundays. Information: 433-3215.

Little Creek Reservoir Park just outside Toano on Interstate 64 also will re-open on March 1. The lake is one of the top freshwater angling locations in southeastern Virginia, featuring largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, shellcracker, landlocked striped bass, walleye, perch and chain pickerel.

Park hours will be 7 a.m. to 30 minutes prior to sunset during the week, and from 6 a.m. to 30 minutes before sunset on weekends and holidays.

Lee Tolliver, 757-222-5844, lee.tolliver@pilotonline.com