March Madness!!!

I know, I know...I'm interrupting your basketball games to bring you another fishing report. Well, that is half true, but I have more to say. This weekend was tough! I'm sure like many of you I found myself consumed with the constant horrific images of devastation from Japan. I also found it tough to answer the many questions my kids had about this historic event. So instead of sitting around getting worked up over it I decided to get out of the house, enjoy some early spring-like weather and help my folks with some yard work. Somehow after spreading four yards of mulch and a moving a ton of rock, I felt better. It gave me a chance to spend time helping people who have certainly helped me over the years. Not only that but it helped me to reflect on all the great things and people I have in my life. If you are reading this, consider yourself one of those people.

Having a new found perspective, I was eager to get out on the water Sunday. Up early and out hoping to enjoy a nice day fishing...Well the recent rains in the Richmond area had the water levels up and stained. Instantly, I knew the fishing was going to be tough. Tough it proved to be, in fact it is one of the few times I've ever been on a tidal river that never changed directional flow. That's right, so much rain that the water flow down river was so strong that the tide couldn't overcome it.

All was not lost. Even though I only caught one largemouth bass, the wildlife was awesome. There were sure signs that spring is almost here. The Eagles are tame, the ospreys have arrived, the beavers are making new dens and the Forsythia is in full bloom. Soon the Shad will be here, herring will follow as will the long waited Rockfish run will commence. Please enjoy these photos. Get out there people and see some of the beauties this world has to offer instead of being pulled into the black hole of depression overly depicted in media.

I still have some spots available for spring fishing trips as well as photo tour for your camera buffs.

Until next time.

Capt. Ralph

It has been cold..but the fishing is hot!

I thought Virginia was cold...yet recently I've been traveling for work to Wisconsin. My thoughts

go out to those I know who are probably still snow-blowing or shovelling. A picture circulated around in email of a 5 foot drift against a sliding glass door in one of the trader's homes. I promised myself not to tell anyone I talked to out there that the temp in Richmond was a very comfortable 65 degrees. As a result of this mid-west storm, I've been working in my Richmond office. In addition, I've been able to spend more time with my girls and I'm taking a little time to update my blog tonight.

This past Saturday I was treated to a day on the water where I was the guest and not the captain. Well, I may have selected a some of the spots but I didn't have rods to put up, a boat to clean, compartments to dry out or extra bait to freeze. I was welcomed aboard with Jeff who was in from Roanoke to fish the mighty James River for a few days. Jeff is one of the nicest guys I have ever had the pleasure of fishing with and it had been a good six months or so since we had last seen each other. One thing I always look forward to sharing with Jeff is a good meal. I promise you that if you ever have the invite, take it! No questions asked...It's just something about having a hot meal when you're out in the cold that revitalizes your soul. Saturday's menu was grilled pastrami and cheese sandwiches with deli mustard and pickles. Yes ladies, we did clean our hands first. :-)

We were late getting to where we wanted to fish because of the thick fog on the water. At points simply seeing the just beyond the bow was difficult. Talk about flying by wire. THANK GOD for GPS. Radar would have been helpful too. With radar we could have seen in front of and behind us to make sure we stayed safely out of the way of those other crazies out there driving through it at 50mph. No, I'm not kidding! You should have heard the chatter over he VHF from Henrico police and Boat Tow. However, once we arrived the fishing was red hot. Within an hour we had boated two fish over 40 pounds. See the attached photos of the 49 and 42 pounder.

Also for those of you that follow my site, blog or Facebook pages I've updated my webpage with other photos that I found on my old computer. There are some cool shots of wildlife, things I see on the water and lots of fish. Until next time, keep living your dreams.

Capt. Ralph Magee

http://www.virginiatidalrivers.com/

Saturday Jan 22nd, 2011

It was my great pleasure to take out a veteran fisherman from NJ this weekend named Rick. When most people in the Richmond area were inside a warm house, we braved the cold to fish for some trophy blue catfish in the James River. I have to admit the even I was cold and most of you that know me, know that I spend just about every weekend on the water this time of year. The cold wasn't in degrees but the combination of the sub-freezing temps and wicked wind that would cut you like a knife.

Yet, not once did I hear Rick complain. When most people would have thrown in the towel mid-day, Rick toughed it out with me for 12 hours. His dedication was rewarded by landing the largest fish of his life. Rick will receive two citations from the Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries for a 38 and a 33 pound blue catfish. We caught several other fish during the day and another large fish(29 pounds), falling just a pound short of the citation limit.

I've sent Rick a Photo Release form and I hope to update this post soon with his results. Keep posted for the proving pictures.

Capt. Ralph Magee
Virginia Tidal Rivers Guide Service
www.VirginiaTidalRivers.com

First Trip of 2011

Well it's been a long time since I posted. That surely doesn't mean that I haven't been out on the water doing what I love. Working out of town doesn't leave much time for updates after I sneak off to the water. Yet, no excuses...I need to do better about getting some success stories out there. Starting to book up for early spring and I'm looking forward to competitively fishing the Pamunkey Mini Series again this year. Before you know it, spring will have sprung and the rivers will come alive awaking from their winter chill. Until then...the trophy blue catfish of our Virginia Tidal Rivers will keep us busy.

Last week I got out there with a couple of my regulars. Luckily the bait and the big cats both came out to play. Enjoy the photos of the boys doing what they do best...holding big cats and smiling pretty for the camera. All these fish were release to fight again.

Capt. Ralph

VirginiaTidalRivers.com

804-852-3176

6th out of 49 boats

Fished the 2nd Pamunkey mini series today with Steve. We had a good morning of fishing and brought our limit of 4 fish to the scales. We totaled 8.61lbs, which landed us a pay day for 6th place out of 49 boats.

Mr. Turner

Had the pleasure of taking out a very hard working American, Joe Turner. We caught 5 Stripers, as small Flathead, a few small Blue Cats, one American shad, 10 Hickory shad and all the herring and white perch you could ever want.

All in all a very nice day to be on the water with a great guy.

My man, Hayward!

The 83 year old didn't disappoint!!! I had the wonderful pleasure of taking out Hayward, who I met at Bass Pro Shops.(see earlier blog) The early morning Striper bite was on right from the start. I certainly hope that I live til 83 and I pray I can still fish. At the end of the day Harold looked at me and told me I was a good man and he loved me... What else could you ask for in life? Bringing joy by doing something I love...