High water

If you know the river, you recognize how high the water is right now.....no worries, Greg sent this pic after catching 52 stripers on a half day trip 

Big bluefish blitz continues on the coast

I've heard people talk about the big bluefish that blitz the beach.......they're back.   5-15 pounders on topwater is pretty cool.  That's what those who have been looking for cobia have been getting into.    Looking forward to getting home and getting some salt spray in the face.  

Green Season is settling in here in Costa Rica, but the fishing is just starting to fire off.   15 tunas and left them biting on the Dragin Fly yesterday, plust a handful of sails.

Pics and report from Capt. Haddock's sports

 

Hey George. Josh, Andy and I had fun fishing with Justin yesterday. Despite the water levels we still caught 35. Almost hit the max number of keepers...got 7. Caught more fish in the 22-27 range than I ever remember. Hated to have to throw them back. All in all it was a great day. See pictures. Hope you're doing well...and hope to catch up with you soon.

Ben

Leveling off

http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=rah&gage=rrdn7&view=1,1,1,1,1,1

Here is link to Roanoke River water level forecast.

Still got the keepers

but it was a much slower pick as the water got jacked up again yesterday, all the way to 35,000 where it is forecast to stabilize.   This will open up parts of the river that few non-locals get a chance to fish.  You should be able to run from Weldon all the way to Gaston and the dam....and that's where the fish are going to be heading also, strung out all along the way.
Pics from Greg and Jennings yesterday:

 

This was yesterday

God only knows what today brings, but He was pretty good to the boys yesterday.
From Justin:

And from Jennings:

 

"Hope all is well Capt. George. The fishing was good today... consistent with good numbers of keepers mixed in. Craig's fishing partner also had a double tag fish with the keepers. Hope all is well"
- Jennings 

What the water is doing now?

 https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nc/nwis/uv?site_no=02080500

stepping up the water

Yes, they have stepped up the water in the Roanoke at Weldon with water levels increasing dramatically over the past few days and forecast for the next couple of days.   How has this affected the fishing?   Capt. Greg says that they are catching 40-50 fish/half day trip despite the increasing water levels the last two days and the average size of the fish is getting larger.  

Actually, the increasing flow is not necessarily a bad thing, cuing fish downstream to make the charge all the way up the river.  When they get to Weldon, it's just a few more miles to the dam and there are fish stacked up almost all the way there.   Although the fly fishing is more difficult, some of our best days have been under these high water conditions.

As long as we are having 40-50 fish half days, fishing is going to continue as scheduled.

Rain Delay

Although rain is not a reason to cancel a trip, that is all up to the captain's call, but some captains have called this rain a little too much, so are giving the stripers a break for a day or so.

Attached are pics and comments from one Greg's recent trips.

"George,

My 81 year old dad, my neighbor's son Tate Jones (had never been fishing on a boat), and I fished w Greg  on Friday afternoon and had a relaxing good time......We caught rock fairly steady the entire time and were able to get 6 keepers for my belly muscle at a later time.

 Most importantly my Dad and Tate had a good time catching fish on a beautiful river surrounded by woods.  My kind of nature therapy.   I enjoyed spending time w Greg as he's relaxed but put us on fish.  I've attached a few pictures of my Dad and Tate enjoying themselves.

As I told Greg........all I had to do was show up w something to drink & snack.  No worries, no pressure, no fish prep, no boat cleaning, no boat bill or insurance,

Nutting.  That's the way to go.

Thank you for an enjoyable afternoon.

Lynn. S."

Greg V. stripa report from the riva

 

"George we had and epic day on the river with Capt Greg and Jennings. My son and his buddy had a bet to see who could catch the most and by 10:30 am it was 49-47. We ended up catch over XXX (triple digits)  for the day with 3 little boys and two dads." ----JH

Best in years

100 fish by 10:30 am

yes, they are biting. Water levels look perfect

 

Good jig bite

Just got off the phone with Greg

Yes, Anna and I are still in Costa Rica and yes, we have phones here.   In fact, you can call me direct anytime at 252-377-1400.   If I am snook fishing and don't pick up, it'll ring through to NC and Melissa will call you back from there.

Anyway, it's 8:05 and Greg has already caught 20 stripers on the Roanoke this morning.  sounds like it has really fired off since that water has risen.

Greg, Jennings, Justin and other Down East Guides are on the Roanoke and available to take you fishing.   Ring us up here or send us an email, that works here in Costa Rica also.   info@downeastguideservice.com

Weldon Report that you have been waiting for.

"First day striper fishing this year. Looking pretty good so far, 37 only had 5 keepers but a very fun first day!"  ----Capt. Greg

Spring has Sprung on the Roanoke

Green on the trees and water in the river.....and people walking little dogs.  There are also stome stripers being caught in those waters. 

Pic from Capt. Greg

Stripers from the Neuse

Yes, they do exist.   Getting ready to get REALLY good on the Roanoke

Capt. Chris' new ride.

The fish now have no place to hide.