Chesapeake Bay

[Mulligan]

I just moved to Richmond, VA a little over a week ago. Sure do miss steelhead fishing already. I have looked into various fishing opportunities and came upon Chesapeake Bay. As it turns out, the company I am working for out here has booked our team for a charter trip on Chesapeake in August. Has anyone ever fished there? Any tips? Are charters usually friendly to fly fishing? Any other salt experience in the area? Thanks guys.

[Randy Knapp]

Have fished under the Lesner Bridge in Virginia Beach for stripers and flounder (hot right now any evening according to my nephew who lives there)and flounder. Have fished the Narrows Bridge (East of Annapolis, MD) for stripers. Have never chartered. Richmond should be good for smallies and shad (when they run) in the James and all the ponds and lakes have spiny rays.

Randy

[tyler]

mulligan,

richmond is a great area, and you’re within easy striking distance of a wide variety of fresh and salt water fisheries – chesapeake bay; outer banks, NC; inshore, nearshore and offshore salt; warm and cold freshwater. first, though, have you checked any local fly shops? i think there’s an orvis store there in richmond. give ‘em a call. also, check out www.tidalfish.com. it’s a good resource for fishing in the area and has an active fly fishing-specific board.

the chesapeake bay is a world class striped bass fishery. it’s tributaries all the way up to the susquehanna river north of baltimore are major striper spawning grounds for the mid-atlantic region. i think the IGFA record fly-caught striper was recently caught around the chesapeake bay bridge tunnel. also, there was just an article about fly fishing for stripers under the CBBT lights in one of the national mags.

not sure about your charter and fly fishing. the best thing to do is call the captain and ask. i can tell you that if conditions are right, striped bass are a great species to target with flies.

catch ‘em up!

t

[Mulligan]

Thanks for the info Tyler and Randy. I just read that my guide recommends light tackle or fly rods, so that's perfect. That website has an insane number of boards. I don't even know where to begin. Have you done any fishing in the trout creeks West of Richmond?