Bad start for Beach pro bassmaster.

Rick Morris is looking this year to revive his Bassmaster Elite Series Career.

After day one in the series opener, he's off to a really rough start.

Morris landed only 1 keeper Thursday in California's Delta near Stockton. It weighed 1 pound 3 ounces and left him in 83rd place out of 93 of the country's top professionals.

Not how you want to start a tournament and not a good way to revive a career.

But Morris says he's got a better attitude this year and he's in better shape.

And things on the Delta changed today, with colder temperatures and rain likely forcing drastic changes in the pattern.

Morris will have to move into the top 50 to make it into the money and Saturday's third day of fishing. It's not unheard of - especially since the guy in 50th place only had 6 pounds, 2 ounces.

The top 31 anglers have 10 pounds or more, led by day-one leader Stephen Browning with a 5-fish limit that weighed 21-11.

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Anglers are concerned. Are the feds trying to end recreational fishing?

That's what many recreational anglers, charter captains, marina staff and tackle shop owners think.

And federal fisheries managers have done little to make any of us think differently.

In fact, many are starting to get better organized in preparation for a fight with state and federal legislators. Recreational anglers across this country account for thousands of jobs and pour billions of dollars into local, state and national economies. Hundreds of thousands of anglers also have a strong voice and a ton of voting power.

But until recently, that voice hasn't been organized enough to be heard - the voting power not felt.

That changed a couple of weeks ago with a fisherman's march on Washington D.C. in which recreational and commercial fishermen stood hand-in-hand in an unprecedented show of strength.

Many legislators heard. Unfortunately, many more didn't. That's especially the case in Virginia and North Carolina, where few who make the rules have come on board in support of fishing.

A recent ESPN column by Robert Montgomery, the senior write for BASS Publications, touched on many angler concerns. He wrote about many problems that arose with the Interim Report by the Obama Administration's new Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force.

The biggest problem with the task force's first report is that those in the group didn't seem to understand the vast differences between recreational anglers and commercial fishermen. While these two long-time adversaries have seemingly united to help save the rights of those who use watery resources for recreation or to make a living, there are stark differences between the two.

If the Administration's new task force doesn't understand that simple fact, it's safe to assume they understand NOTHING about fishing in general.

That's worrisome.

So area anglers are asking that anybody and everybody who wets a line contact their local, state and federal legislators to get their voice heard.

Read Montgomery's column.

It will open many a sleepy eye.

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Compromise for anglers ... figure that.

On Wednesday, the General Assembly passed a bill that was just that - a compromise.

The Senate wanted to do away with saltwater fishing license exemptions so that Virginia would be in compliancy with a federally-ordered national registry.

The House wanted to keep those exemptions - things like a blanket license for boats or free fishing from a landowners shoreline.

So the two met in committee and hashed out an agreement.

Many anglers say the agreement should have been the first option on the table. But at least most can agree that compromise is better than nothing when politics is concerned.

Senate Bill 668 now calls for the foundation of a state angler registry that will be compliant with the National Saltwater Angler Registry. If Virginia was held non-compliant by federal fisheries managers, most fishermen would have had to pay a fee in addition to their state license. The cost to be registered would have been between $15 and $25 next year.

Many anglers are happy with the bill that awaits the governor's signature into law. If signed, they won't have to pay the federal fee.

But they shouldn't think they aren't going to have to pay.

The state registry will cost money to operate. So license fees are likely to go up $5 for individuals and $10 for those purchasing a blanket license for their boat.

Being compliant will preserve about $1 million in federal funds for the Virginia Marine Resouces Commission. But had the original bill passed and forced all anglers to purchase a license, the agency stood to increase its annual income by nearly $4 million.

 Many anglers quickly went to their favorite chat Web sites to talk about a victory for fishermen and women. That point awaits debate.

Because anglers who aways bought individual licenses are going to have to pay more so that others won't have to.

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Big time outdoors radio comes to the East Coast.

The Great American Outdoor Trails Radio Magazine out of Kansas called the other day. Hosts Jim and Travis Ferguson are interested in what's going on in our neck of the woods.

So they sought me out and interviewed me on their weekly show what gets more than 100 hours of air time over the weekend. It's broadcast throughout most of the western part of the country. The Fergusons - Jim is the dad part of the duo - are seeking stations on this side of the block.

You can catch this week's show by going here then clicking on the "click here to listen to this week's show" box on the right side of the home page. It's a long show. You can either listen to the entire hour-long broadcast or use the scroll bar and push the show to right around 41 minutes in to pick up the action with yours truly.

These guys are wacky and fun and really know their outdoors stuff and have a ton of excellent guests on throughout the show.

Now they've got me. And they plan on making me a regular with spots once or twice a month.

So they're either desperate or crazier than I thought they were.

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Muddy water ... doesn't sound like a good thing.

A quick inspection of some of our area's coastal brackish rivers Wednesday afternoon provided some unpleasant scenery.

Low water. Muddy water.

Doesn't sound like good fishing is to be had anytime soon.

Don't fret, freshwater anglers - prospects aren't as bad as they might seem.

When the sun comes out - and it will eventually - and temperatures trickle into the upper 50s or even the low 60s, the silt that is yucking up some great perch, crappie and bass waters will actually be a benefit.

You see, when the sun comes out and beams onto area waters, the silt actually grabs the sun and holds the warmth. That will make area tidal rivers get warmer faster.

That, in turn, will rapidly turn on the fishing.

Look at the forecast and make plans for Monday and Tuesday - right before another bout of rain is forecast to come in later next week.

We are supposed to get sun and warm temperatures over the weekend and into the first couple of days of next week.

There could be some great fishing the next few days.

Even if the water looks like bad chocolate milk. And even if it turns out to be shortlived because of more foul weather.

 But the way things have been going, a couple of days is like winning the lottery.

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Guess what? We're getting more nasty weather.

With some outstanding freshwater fishing really cranking up, and with a marvelous bluefin tuna bite off Hatteras, wouldn't you know that Mother Nature would decided to shoot another nor'easter up the coast for us.

It's miserable outside and supposed to be that way for at least the next 24 to 36 hours. It will take a few days after that for things to settle down, especially where freshwater action is concerned.

But guess what?

There's a pretty good shot at a wonderful weekend and a few great days to start off next week.

If that's the case, there should be some fantastic action after this blow say bye bye.

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Less than a day away, the March on Washington is near.

Wednesday's march on the nation's Capitol is less than 24 hours away. This time tomorrow it will all be over with.

Thousands of fishermen - both commercial and recreational - currently are in their respective homes getting ready to head to D.C.

Some, according to Jim Hutchinson of the Recreational Fishing Alliance, have already left home for the long ride from points way north and south. Fishermen are expected from as far away as Maine, Florida, even the West Coast. It's even rumored that a handful of fishermen are on their way from Alaska.

Wow!

That just shows how important it is that fishermen finally have united to get changes made to current fisheries management laws.

Wednesday's the day - from noon to 3 p.m. - when it all happens.

I'll be right in the middle of the action with one of The Pilot's photographers and videographers to bring you a localized report of the action.

I'll blog as soon as it's all over and give a short report online.

You can catch the rest of the story in Thursday's Pilot.

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Fishermen and women have united. Now it's time to show the nation.

Fishers from all up and down the east coast are packing their bags and making their last minute plans to add their names to the list of those who have marched on Washington.

Wednesday - from noon to 3 p.m. - thousands of fishermen and women, both recreational and commercial, will converge on the steps of the Capitol in a show of strength, unity and solidarity.

They will come in buses, vans and cars. Because they finally are at their wit's end, frustrated by outdated, conflicting and seemingly senseless fisheries management rules.

Those who fish for a living and those who fish for relaxation are set to flex their collective financial muscle and tell legislators that they need to revise the Magnuson Stevens Act - the law that says fisheries managers must bring fish stocks back to viable numbers.

Fishers annually pump billions of dollars into the economies of their respective areas. When united, there are few groups in this country with the potential for greater influence.

But the problem over the years as been an attitude to sit on the dock and complain about how limits were determined by NOAA Fisheries based on flawed data - data that even those inside NOAA have admitted is likely not accurate.

So after NOAA shocked East Coast anglers by shutting down the winter black sea bass fishery, the Recreational Fisherman's Alliance organized Wednesday's march on Washington. The effort snowballed. Now bus loads of fishermen and women will pour into the nation's capital in an impressive show of force.

It will be an unprecedented, as far as fishing goes.

Many legislators support the movement to change Magnuson. They will start the show Thursday and will be followed by industry experts who will argue why other legislators should get on board and support a bill to change outdated aspects of the law.

If nothing else, the march will get the attention of many who have for whatever reason ignored the concerns of both commercial and recreational fishermen.

Who knows if Wednesday's show of unity and force will change anything - especially in the immediate future.

But it's sure going to be a great place to start.

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Venison Throwdown.....what a yummy way to lose a cooking contest.

The second edition of my Cooking Throwdown competition is in the bag.

After losing the striper cookoff in the first episode, I decided to take on somebody other than a professional cook for a venison contest.

Big mistake.

Let's face it, there are a lot of great professional chefs out there. I'm quite sure there are more home cooks with equal talent.

Ken Myles of Cashville way up on the Eastern Shore is one such home cook.

A lifelong hunter, Ken knows his way around a kitchen or in front of a smoker-grill. I knew I was a done deal the minute I walked into his big garage and saw it all fixed up for a feast.

Ken didn't have to, but in my book, he cheated. He had a big impressive spread with lots of different types of cooked venison - even a bologna that he didn't even make.

I cried foul.

The contest was supposed to pit my cajun venison bites against his venison pastrami. But Ken hit me with both barrels. His display featured enough food for the county and every single item he had was fabulous.

In fact, so grateful a guy is Ken that he opened up his massive freezer and gave me a hunk of bologna to take home .

Bribes will get you places. Just kidding, Ken. You don't need to bribe any judges with the way you cook.

Ken and his buddies are extra fine people and they did a great job hosting the Pilot's staff for a video shoot. See for yourself  by checking out the finished product here.

Ken and his friends also are outstanding outdoorsmen and women. Their ability to cook what they harvest is a testament to their respect for what they hunt. In fact, I wrote a story about Ken that didn't make it into the print section of the paper. You can read more about Ken and his love of hunting and cooking here.

And so you know, the judges awarded the victory to Ken for his homemade venison pastrami. They liked my cajun bites, but ...

No worries. In my book, everybody won. We had a great afternoon, enjoyed some incredible food, shared stories and made new friends.

Thanks, Ken, for hosting us Pilot people for a Throwdown.

It was a yummy good time - win or lose.

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Cooking Throwdown Part 2, it's about venison

With the recently -completed white-tailed deer season, it figures that many outdoorsmen and women have freezers full of venison.

So the second of our cooking challenge video series seemed pretty logical.

Deer meat.

It's that healthy, protein rich, low fat alternative to beef and pork. It's also that meat that many just can't quite seem to stomach because of where it came from.

That's OK, as you'll see in the video teaser that is currently online here, there are plenty of people who will eat this tasty stuff.

Especially when Ken Myles of Cashville on the Eastern Shore is cooking it.

The guy can flat out cook.

Check in tomorrow at www.hamptonroads.com and in the Flavor section of the Pilot to see how things went.

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