Impoundments receiving trout during January are: Ridenour and Anderson Lakes in Kanawha County, Rollins and Turkey Run in Jackson Co., Miletree in Roane Co., Cedar Creek in Gilmer Co., Mountwood Lake in Wood Co. and finally, Pennsboro Water Supply Reservoir & Tracy Lake in Ritchie County. The Elk, Cranberry and Williams Rivers will also receive stockings in January; road conditions permitting. Bait fishing is the preferred method for this period. Power-Bait, salmon eggs, mealworms and night crawlers are the prevalent choices.

I usually do not pay much attention to the annual introduction of new, must have products. One particular item caught my eye as being practical. I always have thought that circle hooks in smaller sizes would be useful to anglers of our area. Until now, they have not been in production. Mustad is now producing Demon Circle (39951BLN) hooks in sizes 8-12. For those of you not familiar with this style of hook, by design they typically hook the fish in the corner of the jaw. They are best used with soft action rods; the fish hooks itself, pulling against the rod. I had hoped to be able to test these new sizes during the fall of 2008, but there was a snag with availability. They should be available at local retailers, by the time you read this. I believe that they would be useful for bait-fishing; especially with night crawlers.

The extremely low water conditions that we experienced during the past 6 months are sure to have a detrimental effect on our wild trout populations. With practically no precipitation through mid-November, our fall-spawning trouts did not have access to the headwaters that they normally utilize. Reproduction is sure to suffer. Catch and release wild trout and keep the stockers for consumption.

Thoughts of January fishing brings images of ice covered windswept surroundings to most peoples' minds. Don't let preconceived ideas result in missing some quality outdoor time. My records show that in January of 2006 we had temperatures above 50 degrees, from the 8th until the 14th. In 2007, we had the same warm temperatures from Jan 1-8 & 11-16. Again in 2008, the days between Jan 6 & 13 were pleasantly warm. Get out and take advantage of the good weather, when the opportunity presents itself. Fish the January thaw.