Relocating questions

[baneser]

My wife is considering a job in the Lexington area, and I am hoping she will bring me along...We now live in Central NY which has some great Fly Fishing, trout and Steelhead, and I was wondering what the seasons are in that area, and the Bay as well. I have become spoiled by the year round opportunities here, and the coastal ffishing in New England. I have read that there are some great trout streams in the area, and have always heard about the stripers in the Cheasapeake. Please help me out and convince me it is better than I have heard. Did the drought damage the streams and is it expected to continue? What are the summers like? Do you contine to get stripers in the bay? Do the streams get too low and warm?
Thanks in advance,
Davis

[fishfearme]

Lexington Va? if so , the bay is a haul from there. And if you do make the haul, better have boat. Again, if you mean Lexington, Va. trout fishing is 1st class. Jackson R is the best on e.coast in spring and fall. there are great smallie rivers less then an hour from there also. James is good for wading and canoe as well as the Maury. There will be no shortage of trout or smallies, but as for salt species, forget about it. Make the drive to OBX before the bay. Again knowing what state would help.

Greg

[Capt. Ahab]

I go to school in Lexington, and the trout fishing is great as Greg said. This fall was a disappointment due to the drought though. The Bay is about 3 1/2 hours if you're heading to the Middlesex/Mathews/Gloucester area, 4 or more if you're headed to Hampton or Norfolk.

[Patrick Dickhudt]

"But as for salt species, forget about it"?

Myself and I think a lot of others on this board would totally disagree with fishfearme on this statement. Chesapeake Bay is a great place to fly fish. It sounds like you'll live far enough away that you might not get a chance to fish it much, but I'm confident you'll have a good time whenever you do. A boat or at least a kayak is pretty much a necessity but if you can handle that or find someone to take you out I think you'll have a blast. Hope to see you out there sometime.

P.

[jschmidt63]

Lexington is right in smallie county. I actually fish the Maury just by the Route 11 bridge and also downstream where the South flows into the Maury. Below Buena Vista is also really good for smallies. Dont forget the Upper James for smallies too, not far from Lexington.

I trailer my boat from Charlottesville to CBay and it can wear me out. 3 hours to Norfolk/Va Beach, 2.5 to Gywnn Island. You are farther still if you are coming from Lexington.

John

[TLT III]

I think that FFM was referring to the distance it takes to easily access saltwater fish, not the quality of the experience.

[fishfearme]

Thanks TLT III.Thats exactly what I meant. I live in Md now, so I defineltely meant the distance. I grew up in Roanoke, Va. and by way of marriage ended up in MD. With what I know of the bay and only having a yak, there are more opportunities for me in NC if I still lived in VA. And the drive was always easier from there. But from Lexington you are already closer to Bay, so it is what it is. Excellent smallies in that area. New River is do able in a day also. About an hour and half puts you at Mossy Creek north of Lexington. Nice spring creek. There are a bizillion brook trout streams also. But the Jackson is where it is at for trout. Know your Kings grant access though first before wading there.

Hope this helps and sorry to offend Patrick.Nothing wrong with bay, fish it more then anywhere else.

Fishfearme

[Patrick Dickhudt]

Sorry fishfearme, I guess I misunderstood your post. I didn't mean to sound offended (or like an ass), just confused. Anyway, I guess we all agree, Chesapeake Bay+flyrod = lots of fun.

Best fishes,
P.