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One of the 44 subway cars added to the Blackfish Bank Reef last week begins its fast descent to the ocean's bottom. |
MANMADE REEFS
The Virginia Marine Resources Commission sank the donated Metropolitan Transit Authority subway cars from a barge on June 26 just off the coast of Chincoteague in 65 feet of water.
The subway cars were placed in a grid pattern near 50 New York City "Redbird" subway cars sunk in November 2003 and 40 Army-donated surplus armored personnel carriers deployed in 1998, according to the VMRC's John M.R. Bull.
Each car is 50 feet long. The combined weight was 17 tons.
Virginia's marine waters now sport 23 reefs of varying size and composition. Materials such as old concrete pipes, demolished bridges, the remains of piers and a lighthouse or surplus equipment such as subway cars, armored personnel carriers or old Liberty-class ships comprise these underwater housing complexes for marine life.
One of the most popular fishing spots in the middle Chesapeake Bay, "The Cell," was created from the ruins of a ship demagnetization facility designed to protect against World War II mines.
Many artificial reefs along the Outer Banks and Florida also attract divers and spearfishermen, but Bull said the Blackfish Bank Reef is a fishing reef.
"Water visibility there isn't like the Caribbean," he noted in an e-mail. "These subway cars are an extension of a previous manmade reef, which is fully functioning. The new part should be working fine in a few weeks when the bottom settles and organisms and small fish make it their home, which will attract larger fish."
Underwater structure, manmade or natural, tends to facilitate a microcosm of the marine food chain, from nearly microscopic organisms that attract small fish to the larger predator fish feeding on the small fish.
The exact locations of each reef, and their composition, can be found at mrc.vir ginia.gov/reef_map/reef_map.shtm. Specifics on Blackfish Bank Reef can be found at mrc.virginia.gov/vsrfdf/blackfish_reef.shtm.
One final note about fishing wrecks or manmade reefs: If you give it a try and plan on anchoring on or near the reef, make sure you employ an anchor designed for wreck fishing. Plan on losing some tackle if you fish down into the structure. Reefs made of concrete and steel are notorious anchor and tackle eaters.
Motts Fishing Derby Rescheduled
Heavy rain washed out the annual Kids Fishing Derby at Motts Run Reservoir earlier this month. The event, sponsored by the Weekend Bassers and the Fredericksburg Parks & Recreation Department, is rescheduled for July 19 with a rain date of July 20.
The derby is free for youngsters age 4-16. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with the tournament running from 9 a.m. to noon. Fish weigh-in and awards presentations begin at noon.
The crew at the Motts' boathouse advises bringing a water bottle, your fishing gear and bait, lawn chairs or blankets for comfortable fishing from the shore, and lunch (unless you prefer to buy from vendors). For more details or to volunteer for the event, call 786-8989.
Local CPOs Nominated for Top Award
The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries' Conservation Police Officer of the Year Award was recently presented to Officer Greg Funkhouser of Roanoke.
The Region 1 nominee was Senior CPO Frank Spuchesi, a 10-year veteran who is currently assigned to King George County. The Region 5 nominee was Senior CPO Joe Dedrick, a 37-year veteran currently assigned to Caroline County.
A panel of former winners evaluates nominees and selects the officer they feel best meets the criteria in performance categories which include teamwork and public outreach, excellence and innovation, attitude and leadership, and achievements and accomplishments.
No Column July 10
There will no outdoors column next Thursday. Instead, the July 12 Town & County magazine will carry complete coverage of the winners of the 10th annual Take Dad Fishing for Father's Day contest. Excerpts of the winning letters will be published and our young writers will share details of their experiences fishing with some of our region's top guides.
Let Freedom Ring!
We celebrate our nation's independence tomorrow. This celebration was made possible only through the courage and gumption of our founding fathers.
It seems fitting that just prior to this most treasured of American holidays, the Supreme Court affirmed the 2nd amendment to our Constitution, striking down the District of Columbia's totalitarian anti-gun laws, essentially acknowledging the right of all law-abiding Americans to responsibly protect themselves.
Have a safe and thoughtful Independence Day.
Ken Perrotte can be reached at The Free Lance-Star, 616 Amelia Street, Fredericksburg, Va. 22401, by fax at 373-8455 or e-mail
Email: outdoors@freelancestar.com.
