Tim Hess and his son-in-law, Jason Weaver from Hilton Head, SC. went fishing on the tailwaters of the Jackson River on July 6th. They report catching multiple wild rainbows. Jason cast this 19-incher on a hopper with a size 12 rubber legs dropper. Tommy Lawhorne of the South River Fly Shop in Waynesboro was their guide.
Read MoreIt was a good day. The weather was forecasted to be hot, but it wasn’t bad–until about 1:30 when most of us were in sight of the Scottsville bridge. Before that, there were often breezes on the river and white clouds sometimes provided a break from the sun.
Read MoreThe first one is on July 7th. See our email HERE with useful links
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Read MoreTommy Lawhorne spoke for about 20 minutes at the June 21st Wintergreen Sporting Club fish conclave, the video here captures only a few highlights.
Tommy has been exploring the waters of western Virginia for Trout and Smallmouth Bass with fly rod in hand since his early teens. He began guiding in 1990 and has been active in Trout Unlimited at the Shenandoah Valley Chapter since 1992 where he currently serves as the Chapter President. Kevin Little and Tommy opened South River Fly Shop in the spring of 2011 and have been serving the needs of fly fishers and fly tyers for the past 10 years. Tommy is a Wilderness First Aid certified M.E.D.I.C and guides for Trout and Smallmouth on all of our local waters when his shop schedule permits.
Tim and Lynne Hess hosted some 30-plus guests for the WSC fishing conclave on Monday afternoon with perfect weather on the back porch of their new home on Long Pond. The crowd enjoyed light appetizers and beverages, then sat for a 20-minute talk with a fun give and take with Tommy Lawhorne about fishing this area's rivers on creeks.
All are welcomed to attend the club's fishing conclaves. WSC membership is not required. There is no cost. The only pre-requisite is having a love of fishing or wanting to learn about the sport, and having a willingness to share your experiences and ask questions.
Tim Hess introduced his friend Tommy Lawhorne to the WSC gathering at his home saying, “This kind of gathering is exactly what Lynne and I had in mind when we were planning our new home.”
June 21st Wintergreen Sporting Club Fishing Conclave Host Lynne Hess (in red dress).
My son Colter and I caught these massive redfish on Winyah Bay near Georgetown SC on May 31st. We were fishing 20-25 ft deep off the river channel using fresh blue crab. Colter and I, along with my friend and his son caught seven redfish this size.
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We'll rely on Scottsville-based outfitter Reeling & Rafting for this seven-mile river trip.
This trip is currently booked-up, but more slots may open. To be notified of openings, click here.
With Scottsville being so close to us, it's surprising that we have never run the river here. It's time to check it out. With just a few Class 1 rapids, this June 30th trip will be comfortable for a lot of people. The plan is to be off the water by the time the afternoon heat arrives.
The outfitter says this is their most popular day trip. We'll gather at their Scottsville headquarters at 9:30 am, do the paperwork (save time, read it, print, and bring their waiver-release with you), the load onto their bus at 10 am.
This run starts at the old Warren ferry location. It consists of mostly calm riffle-filled water with a set of Class I rapids. There are plenty of islands and sandbars on which to stop and enjoy our riverside picnic. And, of course, cookies will be served. The trip ends back at the outfitter's in Scottsville. This allows everyone to set their own pace.
HOW TO SIGN UP: Use the form on this page.
This will be an unguided run, with Reeling & Rifting simply providing the boats and transportation. All WSC members will be signing up as individuals although the outfitter is aware of our plans.
As of June 7, the outfitter's website said for our trip they had 16 kayaks available to rent (out of 20; the two group leads have reserved their two boats already) for about $35. They also have 10 canoes available to rent for this trip for about $70. This includes transportation, lifevests, paddles.
Need help? You can call them at 434-286-4386 or email Reeling & Rafting here. Or email us at boating@wtgsportingclub.org.
–Charles Batchelor & Dick Elder
Boating Leads
The WSC boating season started, again, with a 5.5 mile Charlottesville to Milton run on the Rivanna on Thursday, May 20th. As before, Rivanna River Company’s Gabe Sliver and crew did a great job.
Read MoreTo have better weather, the tournament coordinators–Ron Coté and Jerry Gress–moved their event from Saturday to Sunday, May 30th, starting at 2 pm at Trout Pond. And it worked. The sun showed up, the WSC volunteers showed up, the fishing men and women showed up, and even an audience of family, friends, and tourists showed up.
Read MoreTo accommodate the increase in visitors, the Lynchburg trail seemed to widen in areas where a higher volume of foot traffic was present. Our ride was all on asphalt and well worth coming back a few more times.
Read MoreThe Sunday afternoon Chessie Trail in Lexington ride on April 25th was spectacular. The rain the day before filled the Maury River and created a fast-moving body of water with even more rapids than normal.
As usual, our bike ride started with a crisp cool wind out of the west and within a mile’s ride the sun’s warmth had us removing our outer garments. I enjoyed passing through the first gate leading to a tree-lined pasture of mama cows and their calves.
We found a small restaurant, PURE EATS across from VMI featuring local foods and homemade donuts; it should be named “GREAT EATS.”
Tim Jordan, WSC Biking Lead
biking@wtgsportingclub.org.
With COVID beginning to fade, the WSC Shooting Group has moved back into a more normal shooting schedule shooting every first and third Monday of the month with an exception for July 4 (we shoot on July 5th), starting on May 3rd. We expect to hold impromptu shoots throughout the season as well.
Read MoreIt was 90 percent a social event, but we did talk about the schedule for this year's monthly conclave. Ron Coté, the club president, did a quick overview, pointing out that every group in the club was active now.
Read MoreThe trail is unique for its uphill grade at both ends of the trail. With the cool wind in your face you really feel the grade. Good exersise for the upcoming rides.
Read MoreThe Chessie Trail in Lexington is set for April 25. The date for our Farmville High Bridge Trail ride must be changed due to continued work on the bridge.
Read MoreWe have worked up a plan to get WSC members on the water more often. This plan should work for us starting now and should work in the coming years as well.
Read MoreLooking ahead to the months of June and July, let's look at traveling further and plan overnight stays.
Read MoreOur 2021 season opened on Wednesday, March 17th from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm at the Jerry Rendich Archery Range at Rodes Farm. This is a change from last year, which was Tuesdays at 2 pm. We will maintain the 2 pm time until the hot weather arrives. Starting on Sunday, April 11 the WSC archery group started its sessions every other Sunday at the field range at the end of Old Stoney Creek Road. As before, the time is 2 pm to 4 pm or so.
Read MoreWSC cycling members living on the mountain will again this year have access to the bike & archery shed located at the rear of Tuckahoe Clubhouse.
Read MoreCyclist Tim Jordan moved to Wintergreen’s Stoney Creek about four years ago, leaving the Ivy house he built and lived in for 7 years. Because the beauty of Stoney Creek was too good to pass up, he decided to make it his new home and enjoy all the community has to offer.
Read MoreThis all-volunteer Wintergreen group is focused on biking, shooting, archery, hiking, boating, and fishing in and around Nelson County, Va.
Wintergreen Sporting Club membership ($25 a year per person) is limited to Wintergreen property owners and their adult family members. Memberships are also available for local residents not owning Wintergreen property if they are sponsored by a Wintergreen property-owning WSC member. Join here
Email the club at info@wtgsportingclub.org
Wintergreen Sporting Club • info@wtgsportingclub.org • P.O Box 282, Nellysford, Virginia, 22958 USA
The Wintergreen Sporting Club is an independent, all-volunteer nonprofit organization serving the Wintergreen community. WSC is not formally affiliated with Wintergreen Resort or the Wintergreen Property Owners Association.
