[al k]

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) will be "shock sampling" the trout holding sections of the Smith River starting on Tuesday, August 19th through Thursday August 21st. They nomally arrive in the area about 10:00 am on the first day and work the specific locations and times around the Philpott generation schedule, much like knowledgeable fishermen who either get behind or ahead of the generation surge. They remain in the area for a full day on Wednesday and usually depart early afternoon on Thursday. There are ten or more sample sites. A good way to locate them is ride up and down the easy access points and look for a half dozen or more VDGIF trucks.

The VDGIF Fisheries Biologists encourage participation by volunteers willing to help as they scoop up and process the fish. Don't forget your waders if you want to help with the line of "netters" as they move upstream through each site. If you just want to sit on the bank and watch they don't mind that either. Many of us have participated before and it is definitely an eye opener. It gets pretty humbling when you look at a 100 yard section of stream and think "I could probably catch 2-3 out of there" and then they come up through it with the electro prods and roll up 4-600. There are a couple of sites that normally produce over a 1000.

As the time gets closer and we have a more definitive schedule we will share it with you.

 

[crabman00]

Thanks for the reminder Al.
For you trout fishermen that have not witnessed one of these surveys, it is a very enlightening experience.

 

[al k]

I just received this sampling schedule from Smith River Fisheries Biologist George Palmer. Look for them at the far end of the field at the Mirror Factory on Tuesday, Aug 19th about 10:00 am. This is one time you can drive through the gate, bear to left and go past the loading docks to the field. If you arrive before the VDGIF trucks please don't park right at the end of the field because that is where they unload and set up their sampling station.

I will try to keep track of any changes to schedule. If you can't locate them call me at 910-624-3457
[HR][/HR]
Day 1: August 19, 2014

1. Meet at sampling site at 10 AM, Bassett Mirror Plant 36 47’ 14” N by 79 59” 51” W (travel to the back side of the plant, through the field to the far left corner to the sampling site) sample and then have lunch

2. Travel to next sampling site, Bassett Library 36 45’ 45” N by 79 59’ 45” W

3. Travel to next sampling site, Shady view Road 36 44’ 15” N by 79 56’ 24” W (by historic church at dead end road)

End of day one sampling.


Day 2: August 20, 2014

1. Meet at sampling site 9:00 AM, Yellow Stairs 36 47’ 38” N by 80 01’ 03 “ W (This is half way up the road going to dam)

2. Travel to next sampling site, Martinsville Dam 36 39’ 35” N by 79 52’ 46” W (Lunch)

3. Travel to next sampling site, Derelict Bridge 36 44’ 15” N by 79 57’ 26” W

4. Travel to next sampling site, Sewage Plant 36 41’ 35” N by 79 55’ 32” W

End of day two sampling.

Day 3: August 21, 2014


1. Meet at sampling site 9:00 AM, Dam 36 47’ 37” N by 80 01’ 34” W

 

[crabman00]

Thanks Al. Definitely want to be there Wednesday to see what they scoop up below Martinsville Dam.

 

[al k]

Small change to schedule - see email below which just came in from VDGIF - Start at Yellow Steps instead of Mirror Factory on Tuesday.

With all the rain we are having we need to adjust the sampling schedule. We were planning to meet tomorrow at the Bassett Mirror Plant at 10 AM but the rain may make travel through the field hard. So we are going to switch sites an start at the yellow stair at 10:00 am. Please confirm that you received this email and are aware of the change, let others know also.

Thanks and see you tomorrow

Day 1: August 19, 2014

1. Meet at sampling site 10:00 AM, Yellow Stairs 36 47’ 38” N by 80 01’ 03 “ W

1. Travel to next sampling site, Bassett Library 36 45’ 45” N by 79 59’ 45” W

2. Travel to next sampling site, Shady view Road 36 44’ 15” N by 79 56’ 24” W

End of day one sampling.

Day 2: August 20, 2014

1. Meet at sampling site at 9 AM, Bassett Mirror Plant 36 47’ 14” N by 79 59” 51” W (travel to the back side of the plant, through the field to the far left corner to the sampling site)

2. Travel to next sampling site, Martinsville Dam 36 39’ 35” N by 79 52’ 46” W (Lunch)

3. Travel to next sampling site, Derelict Bridge 36 44’ 15” N by 79 57’ 26” W

4. Travel to next sampling site, Sewage Plant 36 41’ 35” N by 79 55’ 32” W

End of day two sampling.

Day 3: August 21, 2014

1. Meet at sampling site 9:00 AM, Dam 36 47’ 37” N by 80 01’ 34” W