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Wednesday, March 12, 2014 11
Before you go fishing…. Mark Fike The recent GLORIOUS warm weather has many of us with a fishing itch; I cannot wait to wet a line. Normally, that has been checked off my new list for the year by now, but given the ice, snow and cold, I did not even bother yet. However, I did venture out to the shed to look over my fishing gear over the weekend. I realized that there would not be a quick dash to the shed for gear and a run to the river or pond to fish until I take care of a few things. The cold weather has stiffened the primer bulb on my boat to rock solid, and it does not flex at all; that will need be fixed. While not a hard thing to take care of, it will take a few minutes and a run to the parts store to get a new one. Take a look at yours to be sure it is good to go. I would also recommend taking a look at your fuel, and see if any water is in it from condensation. Change filters on fuel lines, and check hoses for cracks, splitting or dry rot. I think a check of the spark plugs would be a good idea, too. I would also check boat lines (rope) for fraying and dry rot, as well. Sometimes cold weather will do
funny things to rope that has been in the sun for awhile. I thought my ropes looked OK last fall, but now some of them definitely need to be replaced. Last fall, I also put my rods away in good shape. Well, the line on most of them has gotten stiff, and some is frayed and needs to be replaced, as well. If you have spinning reels, you might want to try out the new Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon XL by Berkley. This line flexes like mono and is super strong. My first impressions of it are very good. I also noticed the reels I use in the Potomac River, although rinsed off well, still show some rust and corrosion. The bearings in several need greasing, too. I think an afternoon or evening with some oil and light grease will fix this situation. I also took a look at the eyes on my rods and found some crusty from salt buildup. A good hosing and toothbrushing will fix the issue; but again, that takes time. A look in my crappie box showed some stiffened grubs that need to be tossed out. I found shortages on some jig heads and some need repainting, too. My other boxes have tangled hooks and lures. Another hour or so
will take care of the problem. I sure wish I had noticed this on some of those nasty, snowy days. I could have done these chores then. I would also take a hard look at boat and trolling motor batteries. Mine are kept on a trickle charger, but I noticed one of my batteries went dead pretty fast after I took it off the trickle charger. I am hoping I can revive it, but it is two years old, and the cold was hard on batteries this winter. I think I mentioned in a recent article about checking the status of life jackets and other safety items. Check them again, and make sure they are in the proper place. I know that during the fall, I shove the boat in its spot and grab my crossbow or gun and head to the woods. Little time is spent properly putting things away when the fall fishing is good and bleeds into my hunting time. I am also reminding you all to check your fishing licenses. Many of us now buy our licenses in the spring, as they last a full year. I also encourage you to get your saltwater registry number or FIP (Fisherman Identification Program) number. This is necessary for anyone fishing tidal water, even if you do not need to buy a li-
Learn what is in your well water at the KG County Well Water Clinic Every year the Virginia Cooperative Extension, in collaboration with the Virginia Household Water Quality Program, hosts approximately 18-20 Well Water Clinics in different counties. To cover all the counties and localities in the state therefore takes about three years, and this year is King George’s turn to have a Well Water Clinic. A very large percentage of citizens in the county rely on privately owned well water, and most citizens don’t realize that the quality of their drinking water is their responsibility, not that of the county. The purpose of this Well Water Clinic is to allow citizens the ability to test their well water at a very low cost. This test will determine how safe your water is and will let you know if there are harmful levels of heavy metals or bacteria. This test is normally very expensive and runs over $400 per sample; however, due to a grant from Virginia Household Water Quality Program, the cost per person is only $49. There will be two meetings involved with this clinic; the first will take place in the King George Middle
School Auditorium on March 24 at 4 p.m. This is called a “kickoff meeting”, where you fill out the necessary forms, watch a small video on how to take the water test, pay your fee, receive the water test kit, and be instructed to bring it back on the morning of March 26. The other meeting will be the informational meeting, which will take place at the same place on April 10. The purpose of the information meeting is to explain your particular water test results. Without this meeting one would not know how to interpret these results. Your individual well water results will be kept confidential. PRE REGISTRATION and PRE PAYMENT IS REQUIRED! Please call or visit the King George Virginia Cooperative Extension at (540) 775-3062 to register and pay with check. We have 75 kits available to King George residents, and they may go fast, so pre-register ASAP to guarantee yourself a test kit. The deadline for registration is March 24 at 12 noon.
cense. The only exceptions I am able to find are if you are younger than 16 years of age, OR if you have chartered a licensed charter boat to fish. If you purchased a SALTWATER license or saltwater boat license through PRFC (Potomac River Fisheries Commission) or VMRC (Virginia Marine Resources Commission), you are covered. Otherwise, you must register. I have heard of tickets being written by VMRC officers for not having this number. It is FREE, and you can go online to register for it at: http://www.mrc.virginia.gov/FIP/ index.shtm. You can also call them at 1-800-723-2728. One last thing: If you fish on the Potomac River, you need to get the Maryland number. They allow registration through their website at: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/swregistry.asp. Remember, the first fishing trip is often one of trial and error to get back into the swing of things. Many of us have not cast a line for months. Look behind you, around you and so on, before hooking your buddy! Have your stuff ready to go before blocking the boat ramp, and be courteous on the water. Keep safety in mind this year.
Del. Ranson “Freezin’ For A Reason” Delegate Margaret Ransone and her daughter Morgan attended the Polar Plunge in King George to benefit the Lauren Allie White Scholarship Fund. The event was held on March 1 at Tim’s II at Fairview Beach and organized by Christina Dempsey. Hundreds of people that included county officials, sheriff ’s deputies and others gathered at the event and plunged into the near freezing waters to help raise funds for the scholarship. Delegate Ransone said “It’s amazing to see so many teams come out and support the family and the scholarship fund. This is a great way to come together and celebrate the life of Lauren. You cannot replace neighbors that support and love you.”
Oak grove volunteer fireFighters — ice water rescue trained
On Feb. 2, a joint training in Ice Water Rescue for Westmoreland County Firefighters was hosted by Engine Company 3 in Kinsale. 27 people were trained to Ice Water Rescue Technician Level, eight people were trained to Ice Water Rescue Operations Level, and five people were trained to Ice Water Rescue Awareness Level. Members of the Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department pictured above attended that training.
Plan to keep your pets safe Hurricane and flooding season is coming … you’ve probably stock up on bottled water and extra packaged food, just in case. You’ve got a flashlight and plenty of batteries. Your battery-powered/hand-crank radio is standing by so you can get local emergency information if the power goes out. But what about your pet? Pets can’t take care of themselves. During major disasters, pets often become separated from their owners. Avoid that heartbreak by making an emergency plan for your pet. • Prepare a pet disaster supply kit. Include at least three day’s food and water; food and water bowls; an extra leash and collar with identification tag; a few days’ worth of medication; current photos of you with your pet; blankets or towels for bedding and warmth; cat litter/
pan; your vet’s name and phone number; treats. Store items in a sturdy container that can be carried easily. • Make sure all dogs and cats are wearing collars and up-to-date identification tags. Consider permanent identification for your pet such as a microchip or tattoo. • Purchase a pet carrier and label it with emergency contact information. • Don’t leave your pet behind. If you have to evacuate, where will you go that accepts pets? Ask friends or relatives outside your area whether they could shelter you and your pet in an emergency. Find a hotel or motel outside your area that accepts pets. For more about making an emergency plan for your pet, go to http://www.vaemergency.gov/ readyvirginia/getakit/pets.
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Sunday hunting bill signed By Jackson McMillan Capital News Service Richmond — Virginians will have the right to hunt on Sunday beginning July 1, 2014 according to a bill signed into law last week by Gov. Terry McAuliffe. House Bill 1237, introduced by Delegate Todd Gilbert, R-Woodstock, gives private landowners and their family members lawful authority to hunt and kill wild birds and nuisance species on their property, provided the land is not within 200 yards of a “place of worship.” An exemption in the law gives landowners and their family members the right to hunt outside of 200 yards of a place of worship “any wild bird or wild animal, including any nuisance species, on the landowner’s property.” That exemption means deer and bear may be hunted on Sunday in addition to wild birds and nuisance species. However, HB 1237 specifically prohibits hunting deer or bear with
“with the assistance or aid of dogs, on Sunday.” Non-landowners also may hunt on Sundays, with the written permission of the landowner. Lee Walker, a spokesman for the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, said biologists with the Bureau of Wildlife Resources need to examine game species affected by the additional hunting day and make recommendations for when hunting seasons should begin and end. “The Bureau of Wildlife Resources will recommend setting (season) dates that will make sure additional hunting days will not negatively impact those hunted species (mentioned in the legislation),” Walker said. “We’re trying to make as few changes possible.” Walker said the new hunting regulations should be posted on the department’s website by July 1. The new regulations also will be included in the new hunting and trapping handbook, which will be released Aug. 1, 2014.
Above: Check your primer bulb to ensure it has flexibility and can be used to prime fuel into your carburetors. Above right: Be sure to check your line, and re-spool as needed. Right: Check for corrosion, and oil or grease as necessary.