Tough Going - May 21st, 2025

Claytor fished tough on this day. Water still 68 degrees and not a ton of fish up shallow. I managed 12 mostly all small. Several fish would follow but did not want to take. Cold front and even more rain predicted for the incoming holiday weekend so summer transition will be delayed longer. 

Total Fish = 12 

Biggest Fish = 12”

Best 5 Fish = 56.5”

Minutes per Fish = 18.75”

500 Club - May 14th, 2025

After massive and continuing rainfall the local rivers all came up with spring mud. Stan and I headed to Claytor in search of clean water. And amazingly we found some. Cotton hat 8 it 9 foot visibility and the mud had not made it down to Peak Creek yet. I managed to catch 26 including few descent fish and crossed the 500 annual fish mark on the number, 

Team Fish = 31

My Fish = 26

Biggest Fish = 17.75”

Best Five Fish = 66.75”

Minutes per Fish = 12.11

2025 Fish Total = 500

No Rain No Flowers- May 12th, 2025

I fished solo in the downpour that will certainly shut fishing down for a time, Fish were not as active as I thought they would have been but still managed 12 in 90 minutes. 

Total Fish = 12 

Biggest Fish = 12”

Beat 5 Fish = 57”

Minutes per Fish = 7.5

2025 Fish Total = 474

Easy Like Sunday - May 11th, 2025

Brad, Colt, and I knocked out a quick 2.25 hour float from Brooks to Sandstone. The wind was shoving down river and made for a quick easy float. 

Total Fish = 24 

Biggest Fish = 16” 

Biggest 5 Fish = 16”

Minutes per Fish = 5.6 minutes 

2025 Annual Fish Total = 462

The Baconater - May 9th, 2025

On what might be the prettiest 11.5 miles on the Greenbrier Greg, Brad, and I floated from Talcott to Willowwod.  Bacon falls and the surrounding cliffs in the morning fog were pretty amazing. Fish but really good salt but slacked off around 11:00 as bright skies, high pressure front, and wind moved in. I caught 65 in the day but 50 of them were from 7:30 to 10:00. Greg managed to catch an 18” and a 17” but Brad I only found 13” and under. Despite the stain they were really eating flukes well around shallow rock edges. Almost no fish relating to deeper water.

Total Team Fish = 161

My Fisu Total = 65 

Biggest Fish = 13.5”

Best 5 Fish = 63”

Minutes per Fish = 5.07

2025 Annual Fish Total = 438

Brad’s Annual Birthday Float - May 8th, 2025

Brad , Colt and I floated from Narrow’s to below Shumate Falls. For me yesterday was quality fish over quantity and today  was the opposite. The order of the day was fish shallow on rock and deep structure that pushes shallow with some current over the top. I caught 50 in 5.75 hours but nothing bigger than 15”z Brad caught the fish of the day at 20.5”, a good birthday for sure. Colt survived the trip and managed to catch some nice fish. 

Total Fish = 50 

Biggest Fish = 15.25”

Best 5 Fisj = 67”

Minutes per Fish = 6.9

2026 Annual Fish Total = 373

Quality Fish - May 7th, 2025

Quality fish in the boat and in the water everywhere really set this day apart. I started the day off with two 15” and an 18” with in the first 10 minutes no more  50 yards from launch ramp. Then from there Stan caught an 18+ and later I caught a 20.5”. What is more is I saw so many big fish in the water that I spoiled as I drifted by or that gave chase. Fluke was order of the day. I tried to experiment with a Magdraft mini and an S waiver but they weren’t it. Bigger flukes where no as good, 5.25” was out producing 6”. Chartreuse was better than white. Fish were not in wood but rock ledges and fall lines with deep water > 5’ nearby. Best limit of the day in a hurry. 

Total Team Fish = 26

My Fish = 20 

Biggest Fish = 20.5”

Best 5 Fish = 87”

Minutes per Fish = 10.5

Over Too Soon - May 3rd, 2025

Colt, Brad and I floated a quick 3 hour float a day break on this overcast Saturday morning. I wish we had done this shorter float last Saturday when the wind got rough and some a longer float today, We managed 56 fish in a little under 3 hours. I had one break me off because I was sloppy and had my drag set too tight. He was 18 or 19”. 

Team Fish = 56

Individual Fish = 31

Biggest Fish = 14.5” 

Best 5 Fish = 68”

Minutes per Fish = 9.7

2025 Fish Total = 303