West Virginia

Anthony Creek
Back Fork of Elk River
Beech Fork Tailwaters
Berwind Lake
Big Sandy Creek
Blackwater River
Blaney Hollow & Morgan Run
Boley Lake
Brandywine Lake

Bainbridge Island, Washington - The top names in Fly Fishing have joined forces together to put togther a world-class fly fishing outfit as a fundraiser for Trout Unlimited-Alaska to help with their efforts protecting the Bristol Bay watershed.

West Virginia is well known for its winter activities and travel destinations, and this season offers special events and new attractions. The West Virginia Division of Tourism compiled ideas to fight off the winter blues and help visitors in their search for activities and destinations during the cold season. For additional information, visit wvwintersports.com or contact the Tourism hotline at 1-800-CALL WVA.

It is with great pleasure and excitement that I have the opportunity to present the inaugural issue of MARLIN WORLD.

LINK TO MAGAZINE: http://viewer.zmags.com/showmag.php?mid=pgptf

1. Click anywhere on the screen to ZOOM in and read.

The idea for Outdoorsman Exchange came about in an instant, but in a way it was sometime in the making – we just didn’t realize it at the time.

For years my husband, Paul, has wanted to go on an elk hunt. I’ve encouraged him many times. He and his brothers talk how they should all go elk hunting out west with their Dad before age took its toll on him. Pursuit of that dream sounded good but there was always the financial reality check that held my husband back. He couldn’t justify spending money on a guided hunting trip and felt a guided trip was the only way to go for a successful hunt. This voice inside kept telling him - we need to save money for more sensible things like kids braces, college funds, etc. Most everyone can relate to these thoughts, unless you’re an heir to a fortune.

For the 30th year, French Creek Freddie, the state’s official weather prognosticating groundhog, will be the star of the show Saturday, February 2, at the West Virginia Wildlife Center at French Creek in Upshur County. Each Groundhog Day, Wildlife Center staff awaken the grumpy rodent and bring him out of his winter hibernation hole to allow him to look for his shadow and predict the severity of the remaining six weeks of winter. He’s usually right, but after making his forecast before an audience of hundreds of groundhog fans, including news media from around the state, he is more than happy to return to the warmth of his bed. “Everyone is invited to join in the fun of Groundhog Day at the West Virginia Wildlife Center, and afterwards take a walking tour of the nearly 30 species of native wildlife on display,” said Rob Silvester, Wildlife Center manager. “Wake up time for Freddie is 10 a.m., and we’ll have some special events to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Freddie’s predictions. Since Groundhog Day falls on a Saturday this year, it’s a perfect time to bring out the whole family.”

The next regular meeting of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Physically Challenged Advisory Board is scheduled for Wednesday, January 30, 2008, at 3 p.m. at the Capitol Complex in Charleston, Building 3, Room #674. The agenda of the Physically Challenged Advisory Board meeting will include the following topics.

West Virginia bear hunters harvested a record 1,807 bears during the combined 2007 archery and firearms season, according to Frank Jezioro, Director of the Division of Natural Resources. This preliminary harvest data for the combined bear season is six percent higher than the 1,703 bears taken in 2006 and eclipses the previous record harvest of 1,730 bears established in 2003.

Preliminary counts of game checking tags indicate West Virginia hunters harvested a total of 145,577 white-tailed deer during the recently completed bucks-only, antlerless, muzzleloader, bow and youth deer seasons, according to Division of Natural Resources Director Frank Jezioro. This year’s total harvest was six percent above the 2006 deer harvest of 137,621. A total of 67,505 bucks, 43,684 antlerless season deer, 26,965 bow killed deer and 7,423 muzzleloader deer was taken during the 2007 season.

Start the new year off with a Winter Wonder Weekend at North Bend State Park near Cairo, West Virginia. The fun is scheduled for January 18-20. The weekend will include nature programs, hikes, games, contests, and a “Bonnie and Clyde” party. The outdoor winter sports include sleigh rides, a snowman building contest and other old time activities (weather permitting).