Saturday, June 14, 2025
No Result
View All Result
The Chimney Rock Chronicle
FREE SUBSCRIPTIONS
  • Home
    • About Us
    • Pickup Locations
  • Columns
    • All
    • Book Notes
    • Faith
    • From the Potting Shed
    • Fulks Run Follies
    • Local Legends
    • Personal Development
    • Reflections from the Past and Present
    • The Wandering Wilkins
    The Chimney Rock Chronicle.

    From One Chimney Rock to Another

    Ken West.

    Learning to Dwell In the Secret Place Part 3

    George Bowers.

    Licking the Fruit 

    A Clear Picture of THEIR Purpose

    The Chimney Rock Chronicle.

    Another Story from Our North Carolina Friends

    Ken West.

    Learning to Dwell in the Secret Place – Part 2

    George Bowers.

    Stocking Trout and Jesus’ Return 

    Ken West.

    Learning to Dwell

    George Bowers.

    Who Are We Pleasing?

    Spotlight on the Off Broadway Players

    Gospel Vault

    Gospel Vault: April 1990 A Look Back

    Ken West.

    My will or God’s will?

    George Bowers.

    Dealing With Smoky Nostalgia

    Connecting Compromise to Our Clear Purpose

    Women in Leadership and Athletics:  Personal Reflections on How We’ve Come a Long Way!

    • Entertainment

      Spotlight on the Off Broadway Players

      Gospel Vault

      Gospel Vault

      Gospel Vault

      Gospel Vault

      Off Broadway Players Announce 2025 Season

      Spotlight on the Off Broadway Players

    • History

      Highlights from the Plains District Memorial Museum

      Life Lessons from Fulks Run Grocery

      When This You See

      When This You See

      161st Anniversary Battle of New Market Commemoration

      Timberville Historic Notes

      Timberville Historic Notes

      Justice in the Good Old Days

      When This You See

      When This You See

      Highlights From the Plains District Memorial Museum

      Connecting With Others, Bite by Bite

      Brocks Gap Heritage Day April 26

    • Lifestyle
      • All
      • Health
      • Inspirational
      • Travel

      The Wandering Wilkins

      Sarah’s Recipes

      Sarah’s Recipes

      The Chimney Rock Chronicle.

      Retta’s Column

      Local Teachers Attend VRTA

  • Events
  • Our Sponsors
  • Advertising
  • Home
    • About Us
    • Pickup Locations
  • Columns
    • All
    • Book Notes
    • Faith
    • From the Potting Shed
    • Fulks Run Follies
    • Local Legends
    • Personal Development
    • Reflections from the Past and Present
    • The Wandering Wilkins
    The Chimney Rock Chronicle.

    From One Chimney Rock to Another

    Ken West.

    Learning to Dwell In the Secret Place Part 3

    George Bowers.

    Licking the Fruit 

    A Clear Picture of THEIR Purpose

    The Chimney Rock Chronicle.

    Another Story from Our North Carolina Friends

    Ken West.

    Learning to Dwell in the Secret Place – Part 2

    George Bowers.

    Stocking Trout and Jesus’ Return 

    Ken West.

    Learning to Dwell

    George Bowers.

    Who Are We Pleasing?

    Spotlight on the Off Broadway Players

    Gospel Vault

    Gospel Vault: April 1990 A Look Back

    Ken West.

    My will or God’s will?

    George Bowers.

    Dealing With Smoky Nostalgia

    Connecting Compromise to Our Clear Purpose

    Women in Leadership and Athletics:  Personal Reflections on How We’ve Come a Long Way!

    • Entertainment

      Spotlight on the Off Broadway Players

      Gospel Vault

      Gospel Vault

      Gospel Vault

      Gospel Vault

      Off Broadway Players Announce 2025 Season

      Spotlight on the Off Broadway Players

    • History

      Highlights from the Plains District Memorial Museum

      Life Lessons from Fulks Run Grocery

      When This You See

      When This You See

      161st Anniversary Battle of New Market Commemoration

      Timberville Historic Notes

      Timberville Historic Notes

      Justice in the Good Old Days

      When This You See

      When This You See

      Highlights From the Plains District Memorial Museum

      Connecting With Others, Bite by Bite

      Brocks Gap Heritage Day April 26

    • Lifestyle
      • All
      • Health
      • Inspirational
      • Travel

      The Wandering Wilkins

      Sarah’s Recipes

      Sarah’s Recipes

      The Chimney Rock Chronicle.

      Retta’s Column

      Local Teachers Attend VRTA

  • Events
  • Our Sponsors
  • Advertising
No Result
View All Result
The Chimney Rock Chronicle
Subscribe
Thank you to our Sponsors! Thank you to our Sponsors! Thank you to our Sponsors!
Home Columns

Randy’s Ramblings

June 2022

Randy Cullers by Randy Cullers
June 3, 2022
in Columns, Entertainment, Sports

Trout fishing this spring has turned out to be better than I thought it would be.  My first trout fishing excursion went pretty well, even though it did seem a little awkward at first.  After all, it has been at least 20 years since I last fished for trout.

I wasn’t sure what to expect.  I knew where I could catch fish way back when, but I didn’t know now how well trout were stocked and where to fish.  Also, how much had the river changed over time?  After asking some questions and getting a few helpful tips from other fisherman, it was time to head to the river.

Following a brief struggle to get my hip boots on (I’m not as agile as I used to be), and getting my gear in order, I made my way to the river bank to get started.  It didn’t take long to confirm that I’m not as steady on my feet as I once was.  I had to step carefully due to the river current, rolling stones and glare from the sun.  Nothing that can’t be overcome but a reminder I hadn’t fished for a while.

As I began casting it also became obvious that my fishing reel hasn’t seen much use. The line was low on the reel and it would catch, which prevented me many times from getting the bait where it needed to be.  Not the best, but I didn’t need to cast very far anyway.

Despite those shortcomings, it wasn’t very long until I felt a bump through the line.  Low and behold I had hooked a trout!!  The feisty rainbow put up quite a fight, pulling hard against the current and leaping out of the water, but I managed to get it to the bank.  At that point I realized I had left my pliers (and glasses) back at the truck.

Since I’m almost exclusively catch and release, I like to not directly handle the fish and typically use pliers to grab the hook to dislodge it.  This time, with the help of a stick, I managed to get the stubborn hook loose but not without a struggle.  The trout swam away and didn’t seem much worse for wear.  I wasn’t far from the truck, so I went back to get the forgotten items.

A little farther upstream I caught another rainbow!  I was surprised because it had been a week since the last stocking and I figured most fish from this easily accessed location would be gone.

As I continued fishing, I came to a spot where I had to cross the stream.  The water was up from a previous rain and while it wasn’t that deep, I hesitated.  I could see myself slipping and falling in, while doing my version of a river dance, my hip boots filling with water.  As much trouble as I have getting out of a chair, wallowing around in the middle of the North Fork wouldn’t be a pretty sight!

After considering the risks, I decided to change direction and fished downstream for a while.  A little later I managed to hook yet another one of those crazy rainbows.  This one kept jumping out of the water until it threw the hook.

It was a good first outing!  I have been out a several times since my first trip and each time I feel less and less awkward.  I’m getting steadier on my feet, getting my minimal equipment positioned where it needs to be and with a new spool of 4-pound line, getting more consistent at casting the bait where I want it.

And I’m catching fish!  I may even try some artificial lures.

So, if you haven’t fished for a while, there is still hope.  Maybe I’ll see you at the river!

Randy Cullers

Randy Cullers

Graduate of Bergton Elementary (Class of ’65)

Next Post
Post Heritage Day Results

Post Heritage Day Results

Popular Articles

  • Life Lessons from Fulks Run Grocery

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • A Little-Known Piece of Fulks Run History Uncovered

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Natural Healing

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Reflections from the Past and Present

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The Hair Nook

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • 161st Anniversary Battle of New Market Commemoration

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Paramount Plant Co. Enters Second Season

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The Promises of Springtime

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • F&M Bank Hosts “Hotdogs for Heroes” to Support Timberville Volunteer Fire Department

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • From One Chimney Rock to Another

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Contact
  • Pick Up Locations

© 2024 The Chimney Rock Chronicle - Website & E-Commerce by Bare Web Design, Broadway Va.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Columns
  • History
  • Sports
    • Thank you to our 2025 Sponsors!
    • Advertising

© 2024 The Chimney Rock Chronicle - Website & E-Commerce by Bare Web Design, Broadway Va.