Know How to Have a Great Birthday?

That question can be answered in two words: Go fishin'. And that's exactly what Donald did on his birthday last Wednesday.

He started his day in Godfrey Creek just before 7 a.m. and, in the next hour, boated three bass in the pound to pound-and-a-half range. All of them were caught on a purple Senko and released back to fight another day. He also tried an SS Minnow, a white spinnerbait, and a Zara Puppy Spook--all to no avail.

Donald then ran down to Albright's. Taking the cut-through at Marker No. 32, he motored toward the tree line in the back, where he hoped to find some protection from the wind. "There were lots of baitfish in the water," he reported, "but nothing was interested in my baits." That being the case, he started working his way toward the mouth of the creek and eventually ended up in the oxbow. The southern bank of the oxbow near the bridge afforded some protection from the wind, so he fished this area for a spell. Again, the baitfish were plentiful, and he saw a lot of fish moving in the water, but he suspected (and probably rightfully so) that these fish were gar.

Finally, while fishing the spinnerbait along the marsh edge, Donald got a strike and a hookup. "It didn't seem too big at first," he said, "and I had it coming steadily toward the boat. Then suddenly it turned and made a run, putting my drag to the test," he continued. "Man! I love the sound of line peeling off a reel, especially on an ultralight rod with 6-pound-test line," he lamented.

Donald first thought the fish might be a bowfin because it didn't surface, but then he caught a glimpse of a black spot on the tail, which made him think it might be a gar. When he finally got a good look, he realized the fish was a red drum (the top fish in this photo). He netted the fish after a great fight. It measured out at 22 inches, but he only could estimate the weight at about 4 lbs. because he didn't have any scales in the boat. (For more info about red drum, click here: http://216.27.39.101/Wildlife_Species_Con/Profiles_new/reddrum.pdf.)

Since this was Donald's first-ever red drum in the North Landing River, he checked the VDGIF website and was surprised to see it listed on the length and creel-limit chart for the North Landing River and Back Bay (one per day between 18 and 27 inches). He decided to put this one in the cooler for table fare, then worked the same area for another hour with no luck.

To end his day, Donald motored back up to Godfrey, where there was considerable fish movement in the flat between the channel and the mouth of the creek. Having had past success catching some small stripers in this area, he trolled an SS Minnow and a Crystal Minnow just for grins and hooked up with a couple of small stripers. He was making his last pass before heading back to the marina when he hooked and landed an 18.5-inch striper (the bottom fish in the above photo). He decided to keep this one for table fare, as well.

In summing up his special day, Donald characterized it this way: "Great day on the water and a great birthday dinner."