Chesapeake Fishing Hole partner appeals code violations

Hundreds of freshwater anglers each week launch boats at Bob's Fishing Hole on the Northwest River.

But in 2005 and 2006, the location fell on tough times when owner James Waters had medical issues and the location was not open as frequently. Still, anglers used the ramp to launch boats and someone often was available to sell tackle and refreshments.

But an anonymous complaint led the c ity of Chesapeake to issue a zoning violation, and the fishing camp could be shut down.

Co-owner Dennis Padgett said he has fixed all of the zoning board's complaints. He is appealing the code violations at a 6:30 p.m. Thursday hearing at the Chesapeake City Council chambers.

"There probably is going to be some sort of violation for operating those two years without a license, but the place was not abandoned as people have complained about," said Padgett, who incorporated as a partner with Waters in 2007. "We've paid all back taxes and done everything the city has asked us to do.

"I am praying that this appeal is just a technicality. Too many people come here to launch their boats or to fish from shore, and we feel like we are offering a wonderful opportunity to use the river."

Bob's is the only location on the river from which to launch a boat. Padgett has fixed docks upgraded the ramp and built a caretaker's facility on site.

He hopes to get the support of his clients at Thursday's meeting.

"We have anywhere from 200 to 300 or more people who use the facility each week," Padgett said. "We're really hoping that we get their support Thursday night in this appeal so we can make this go away."

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POTENTIAL RECORD

A pending world-record spadefish has been caught.

Roland Murphy of Fredericksburg was fishing with Capt. Allen King at the Cell when he caught the 14-pound, 14-ounce fish. Murphy also has applied for state-record status.

The existing state and world record is 14 pounds.

The Cell is located just off the western coast of the Eastern Shore, about halfway up the Virginia portion of the peninsula.

A handful of larger spadefish have been caught over the past few years, but none of the anglers who caught them followed the proper procedures to have their fish recorded as state or world records.

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LEARN TO FISH

The Friends of Mackay Island want to help people learn how to fish, so beginning this week, the wildlife refuge hosts Tackling Tuesdays - a weekly fishing instruction session that will run from 6 to 8 p.m. through Aug. 11. Each night will feature a guest speaker.

Sessions will take place at the Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge office at 316 Marsh Causeway, on the causeway to Knotts Island.

For information, call (252) 429-3078.

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CANCER CLASSIC

The eighth Steve Gambill Cancer Classic fishing tournament took place last weekend on the North Landing River - raising nearly $10,000 for the American Cancer Society.

For results, see below.

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BOATS AND HURRICANES

It's hurricane season, and while our area typically doesn't see any storms until later in the summer, the U.S. Coast Guard is advising boaters to make sure they have a plan for pending storms.

If you can put your boat on a trailer, do so and take your boat to a safe place away from the storm's path.

If taking the boat out of the water isn't possible, the Coast Guard advises owners to secure all equipment on the vessels and secure them with extra lines. Lines should be longer than usual because of rising storm surge.

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RESULTS

• From the eighth Steve Gambill Cancer Classic held last weekend on the North Landing River: Bass-Only Division - 1. Dave Dozier, 7.06 total pounds; 2. Mike Gray, 6.14; 3. Nelson Anderson, 5.71. Lunker award: Gray - 4.71 pounds. Open Division - 1. Jessica Thompson, 9.5 pounds; 2. Bobby Joe Townsend, 8.9; 3. Sophie Anderson, 6.0. Lunker award: Thompson, 2.6 pounds. Junior Division - 1. Ross Whitehead, 2. Caitlyn Nelson, 3. Ryan Jones (weights not provided).
• From the Rule 9 Bass Club's largemouth bass fishing tournament held last weekend on lakes Cahoon and Meade: 1. Russ Hall of Newport News and Sam North of Hampton, five fish, 17.33 total pounds; 2. Mike Cherry of Hampton, five fish, 15.85; 3. Danny Ferk and Brad Webb, both of Hampton, five fish, 14.59; 4. Dave Ellenbecker and Kevin Holderby, both of Virginia Beach, five fish, 14.01. Lunker award: Ellenbecker, 6.68.
• From the Bob's Fishing Hole Sunday bass fishing series: 1. Kevin and Tina Mills of Chesapeake, 15.00 total pounds (including the lunker award winner at 5.75 pounds); 2. Charles and Diana Ruffin of Virginia Beach, 10.6.

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