Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, VA 6-9-18

salvelinusfontinalis

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Spent sometime this past week in the National Wildlife Refuge for my wedding anniversary. If you have never been here before you are missing out! This place has everything; wildlife, birds, beauty, a secluded 30+ mile coastline of beaches, a lighthouse you can go up, us fish and wildlife activities,mosquitoes and yes Fishing!

Spent sometime in a kayak fishing the inlets and bays and also on the surf. The weather was beautiful on Saturday until after 4 when a storm rolled in. I'll admit kayaking salt still freaks me out a bit. Especially knowing of the large great white that was tracked and seems to like Toms Cove.

While most of my fishing was casting practice, I did manage a few flounder and lost something bigger.
It was a good test for my 9' "9wt" J. Kennedy Fisher fiberglass switch rod. This puppy handled it well. I tossed some very heavy articulated clousers and a WF9 line with a very heavy sink tip. I spent most of my time watching the snowy egrets and spoonbills. It is amazing how much fish the egrets catch.
Ever since I started fishing the Susquehanna, I have a new appreciation for waterfowl. They just fascinate me.

Overall my experience was awesome and we had such a good time that we plan on making it a yearly event! It was my first time fly rodding salt, I have a lot to learn but I'll take this trip as a win!



If you go; eat at steamers and the ropewalk. The ropewalk has firepits at some tables on the sand deck right next to the inlet. Just beautiful. Steamers, cheap, good and all you can eat crab. Oh and bring 100lbs of deet! You will need it.
10,000 mosquitoes tried to bite me. I only got it once, luckily.
 
I never considered Chincoteague on my lists of places to fish. I'll have to look it up. I've been to Assateague.

I spend a fair amount of time fishing the salt from a kayak. Sharks don't bother me. I've had them strike at the paddle. I too have gotten a good appreciation for the waterfowl and various estuary life.

Thanks for sharing the trip.
 
Agree. Neat report.

Nice to see folks discovering new ways to enjoy the sport of FFIng. Saltwater is quite an experience for so many FFers used to stream trout fishing.

Just being in a kayak in saltwater is itself a blast. It's a great way to explore nature and you can really get close to birds and all sorts of wildlife.

But just don't watch or read Jaws before the next time you head to the beach. You're gonna need a bigger kayak 🙂
 
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