Angler's rare catch may set world mark

March 19, 2009 1:55 am

Jess Cadwallender's blackbelly rosefish is one for the books.

JESS CADWALLENDER, 24, was fishing aboard the Jil Carries with Capt. Jim Brincefield on a Valentine's Day winter deep drop trip out of Virginia Beach when a 5-pound, 3-ounce blackbelly rosefish inhaled the bait he had stuck on his 6-0 size hook at the end of 80-pound line.

That may seem like some stout tackle, but Cadwallender needed that horsepower when he cranked up a 60-pound snowy grouper from 100 fathoms deep on the same trip, a 22-hour Atlantic outing that saw anglers haul aboard several big grouper, wreckfish, tilefish, sea bass and more.

Rosefish are often a "by-catch" fish for people seeking prime table-fare fish such as grouper and tilefish. While it may have seemed diminutive next to the groupers, Cadwallender's fish has been forwarded as a pending world record fish for that species. The weight certification was made at Long Bay Pointe Bait and Tackle.

He said the fish is on ice, pending record certification. Afterward, its body will be donated to the Virginia Institute of Marine Science for study. A fiberglass replica will find a place of honor on Cadwallender's wall as an enduring reminder of a special day on the ocean.

Cadwallender, a Richmond resident, is the son of Nick Cadwallender, associate publisher of The Free Lance-Star. For more on Brincefield's charters, see captjim .com.

RIVER MANAGEMENT PLAN COMMENTS

Area hunters, anglers, campers, canoeists and others interested in recreational uses of the 4,232 acres of Rappahannock River frontage the city of Fredericksburg placed under permanent conservation ease in 2006 have until April 15 to offer their comments as part of the first stage of a process examining river access and future uses.

The city is working with the Friends of the Rappahannock conservation organization on developing a management plan. The organi-zation received a grant to fund the plan.

Eric Nelson of the city's Planning and Community Development Department said FOR is viewed as "consultants" in the plan development.

Nelson said the City Council ultimately gets the final vote on a plan. The process associated with that phase is expected to also include additional opportunities for public comment.

According to the deed of easement (available on the FOR Web site riverfriends .org), the city has the option to develop and/or improve up to five access sites on the river.

Some may like the idea of having a couple spots where people could access the river while others may want to keep status quo, which is fairly restrictive at present. Some may want things tightened even more.

Nelson said preliminary input doesn't seem to indicate a lot of demand for additional access.

Hunting is also being studied. Hunting has taken place, especially float hunting for waterfowl, in many areas along the watershed for many years. Some sources have indicated they wonder if hunting restrictions are a desired outcome, given the phrasing of the request for comments which alludes to "conflicts" between hunters and other users.

Nelson points out the times when hunters are on the river are typically later in the year than the periods of heavy canoeing or camping use. While hunting may well remain a permitted activity, there has been discussion of limiting hunting to certain areas of the property or limiting weapon use (some archery-only areas with few or no firearm areas) and days to hunt.

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is an easement partner with the city, as well as the Virginia Outdoors Foundation and The Nature Conservancy.

The entire Rappahannock River is a jewel. Protecting it with the easement marked a big step forward in conserving this resource for all. Fredericksburg employs a watershed property manager to patrol this river corridor, the goal being enforcement of the conservation easement and city ordinances.

The study will, undoubtedly, help shape river access and usage policies for years to come. Just as sportsmen and women don't count if they don't vote, silence when it comes to formulation of any plan affecting public policy is often interpreted as assent for whatever plan, ordinance or law becomes adopted.

So, if you want to wade in, weigh in. A draft plan is anticipated by late summer or early fall.

Submit comments via riverfriends.org/mgtplan, or in writing to: Management Plan Public Comments, c/o Friends of the Rappahannock, Box 7254, Fredericksburg, Va. 22404.

Wittman on Migratory Bird Commission

Congressman Rob Wittman, R-1st District, shared news that he is one of two members of the House of Representatives to be appointed to serve on the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the commission was established in 1929 with passage of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act. It was created and authorized to consider and approve any areas of land and/or water recommended by the secretary of the interior for purchase or rental by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and to fix the price or prices at which such areas may be purchased or rented. In addition to approving purchase and rental prices, the commission considers the establishment of new waterfowl refuges.

Wittman, a lifelong waterfowl hunter, observed in his announcement of the appointment that, "Preserving habitat for waterfowl not only benefits bird species but also contributes to improving water quality and restoring the health of the Chesapeake Bay."

Ken Perrotte can be reached at The Free Lance-Star, 616 Amelia Street, Fredericksburg, Va. 22401, by fax at 373-8455 or e-mail at
Email: outdoors@freelancestar.com.