7, 1865, General Robert E. Lee stayed only a stone’s throw from Briery Creek in the town of Farmville as his weary Army of Northern Virginia rested. He’d recently retreated from Petersburg after the loss of the Confederate capital in Richmond, and was eagerly awaiting much-needed supplies. The supply-laden train, however, was captured by Union Cavalry General Phil Sheridan. Lee was surrounded and cut off from resupply. The following day Lee met with Union General Ulysses S. Grant at the home of one Wilbur McLean and worked out and signed preliminary surrender terms. Ironically, McLean had fled Northern Virginia with his family after Confederate General Beauregard had commandeered their home to be his headquarters during the First Battle of Manassas. McLean could fairly say, then, that the Civil War had begun in his front yard and ended in his backyard. A large historical complex at Appomattox Courthouse, where Lee surrendered, is only a 20-minute drive from Briery Creek Lake and well worth the visit.
Crappie are great game fish. Photo by King Montgomery.
Some of the best bass fishing in the state is on Briery Creek Lake. Photo by King Montgomery.
Anglers will see scores of standing trees on Briery Creek Lake. These trees, along with a heavy lily-pad population, provide great cover to the lake’s trophy bass. Photo by Beau Beasley.
Wilbur McLean’s home, site of the signing of the Civil War armistice, is just a short drive from Briery Creek Lake at the Appomattox National Battlefield. Photo by Beau Beasley.
Types of Fish
The predominant species here is largemouth bass, though anglers will also find quite a few sunfish available as well as channel catfish and crappie.
Known Hatches
As with other warm water impoundments, everything is big: Dragonflies, other terrestrials, frogs and small baitfish.
Equipment to Use
Rods:5-9 weight, 8 to 9½ feet in length.
Reels:Mechanical and palm.
Lines:Weight-forward floating matched to rod. Sink tips can be used here also.
Leaders:3X-5X leaders, 9 feet in length.
Wading:Wading from the shore is not much of an option. Fish the area by boat, kayak, or even float tube.
Flies to Use
Surface water flies work well, but don’t be afraid to use big streamers.
BH Goldilox #4-8, Bruce’s Little Bow #2-6, Chocklett’s Disc Slider #1/0, Chocklett’s Gummy Minnow #6, CK Baitfish #1, Claw-Dad #2-6, Clouser Minnow #1/0-6, Cramer’s Jail Bait Minnow #2-4, Finn’s Golden Retriever #6-10, Hansen’s Electric Frog #6, Hickey’s Condor #6-12, Kreelex #2-6, MC2 Crayfish #4-6, Murray’s Lead Eye Hellgrammite #6, Murray’s Marauder #6, Patuxent Special #6-10, San Antonio Worm #4, Shenk’s White Minnow #4-6, Super Patuxent Special #6-10, Trow’s Minnow #2/0-6, Walt’s Popper #2-12.
When to Fish
It can be as late as April before things start to heat up on Briery Creek Lake. By late May and into June, the top water bite is in full swing, and fish won’t be put down here until late November.
Season & Limits
The lake is open all year, and anglers may keep one largemouth bass a day over 24 inches. That said, I am inclined to release everything I catch here.
Nearby Fly Fishing
Those who tire of catching warm water species can get a quick trout fix at North Creek.
Accommodations & Services
The nearby city of Farmville provides plenty of food and lodging options, but anglers will need to come prepared with all of the flies and gear they need.
Rating
Briery Creek Lake is heaven for the largemouth bass angler. I rate Briery Creek Lake a 9 on the basis of the number of trophy largemouth bass this lake produces.
Chesapeake Bay Islands
Few Virginia locales offer fly anglers the variety of saltwater fishing opportunities of the “islands” of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Situated off the Virginia coast between Cape Henry and Cape Charles and extending for 20 miles, this four-land engineering marvel connects Virginia’s mainland to its Eastern Shore through a series of low-level trestles and an underwater tunnel. As part of Route 13, these two sections of tunnel offer Virginia drivers the chance to travel nearly 100 feet below sea level—though I for one would rather not think about that while actually doing so. In fact, I find myself watching the walls as I am driving along just to make sure that they’re not leaking. I’m not sure what I would do if I actually did spot a leak—it’s not as if I could back out!
The “islands,” as they are commonly known, are a number of enormous manmade rock piles built to support the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel as it enters and exits the water. Each of the islands covers about five acres and serves as outstanding habitat for all manner of sea life. I have fished these islands several times with saltwater fly fishing guide Captain Tommy Mattioli, and I can tell you that they are well worth the trip.
Anglers can choose their island fishing approach. One method consists of anchoring up to a likely looking point and casting sinking or intermediate lines into a moving tide to search for feeding fish. Another method is to drift alongside an island with the current and cast flies into the surf as it recedes from the rocky island shore. Often large fish lie just a few feet off the islands in the hopes of ambushing baitfish that stray too far from the safety of the rocks. Finally, fly anglers can observe the bird life and look for stripers, blues, and other fish that literally chase baitfish right out of the water. Anglers may find casting surface flies and streamers both exciting and frustrating as fish often bite through the line or miss the fly altogether in the mad feeding frenzy.
This drum fell for a B.H. Goldilox, probably thinking that it was a shrimp. Photo by Steve Probasco.
Captain Tommy Mattioli with a striper caught near one of the four “islands” that support the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Photo by Beau Beasley.
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