GREAT BEER (WHISKEY) TIE EVERYONE - HERE'S TO THE FIFTH YEAR!!!!!

[Daniel Davala]

A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who made it out last night to celebrate with us at the TPFR 4-year anniversary/birthday party/BEER TIE.  We had a head count of 80+ in attendance, and we cleared a little over $700 for the club which will go a very long way.  Thank you to everyone who donated, participated in the raffle, bought hats or stickers, or raised a glass of Whiskey for the cause.  Thank you to Rob Snowhite for teaching some awesome Shad Flies at the beginner's table.  Thank you to Neale Walker for pouring the spirits, and thank you to Heidi Bensen from Number 1 Sons pickles for bringing some awesome samples to go with the whiskey, and for donating a healthy dose of pickles to the raffle.

 

If you participated in the Whiskey tasting, please take a moment to provide some feedback on this thread.  It was only the first of many, but since it was the first there were a few hitches we'll sort out by the next one for sure.  Also, feel free to suggest future whiskey offerings you'd like to see represented.

 

Thanks again to everyone for the incredible fourth year - here's to the fifth!

 

Dan Davala

[namfos]

The Yamazaki reminded me of Bowmore and Lagavulin - nice smoke and slightly astringent.  The Bowman Small Batch good too.  OR are you looking for commentary on how to better work the tasting into the tying? ;-)

[Rob Snowhite]

Here is the time lapse from last night. If you've ever wanted to watch Gene eat, this is your chance. Maybe a better position next time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_88fetuDZw&list=UUyqM4q_F3mQ01TATDGYluSw&index=1

On Tuesday, April 2, 2013 8:37:31 AM UTC-4, Dan Davala - Founder/President wrote:

[Matt S.]

That's cool.  Sadly for me it will have to suffice as I DID NOT MAKE IT.  Hopefully there will be future whiskeys at future ties... Thanks to all of you for making these happen; I've met nice folks and learned good stuff from them .  

As an aside, winning one of Brad Bohen's ginormous musky flies at the March Beer Tie inspired me to acquire a 10 weight setup and so I'm dreaming big.  A biologist at VDGIF yesterday assured me that some recent Department efforts to net them confirmed big musky still lurk in the waters of Burke Lake, low water, low success rates and high pressure notwithstanding. 

[Richard Farino]

Brad, William from Eastern Trophies, and I went to Burke Lake the day after the beer tie for musky…  of course it rained an insane amount.

 

No luck fishing, but it was good to fish with someone who is manic for a species, and I learned quite a bit.

 

We threw 10wt lines all day, with a mix between fast & intermediate sinking lines, and floating lines specifically for pike/musky.

 

 

R

 

 

Richard Farino

Urban Angler VA | 108 N. Washington Street  2nd Floor | Alexandria, VA 22314

(703) 527-2524 | fax: (703) 527-3313 | ric...@urbanangler.com

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[TurbineBlade]

That sounds like fun Rich -- the last time I fished Burke Lake was 3 years ago with spinning rods.  I got a huge bluegill on a heddon torpedo, but nothing else.  A TON of Canada Geese were breeding (spawning might be a better term) on that central island where I got out to take a whizz.  Funny!  Those things are fearless.  I remember pleading with one nesting pair to just let me do my thing and I promised not to steal their egg!  

Didn't see any muskie -- but I'd love to catch one some day.  Along with a dozen other species I haven't got yet.  

I did just rig up a trip for Beth's birthday next fall up on the Salmon River with Tony Gugino.  That should be interesting...several species up there I've never caught.  

Oh - and excellent beer tie!  Thanks to Dan for all of his work before and after in setting up these beer ties to run smoothly.  I recognize the hellacious amount of work this involves, and don't envy his schedule on these days!  

Gene

On Tuesday, April 2, 2013 8:37:31 AM UTC-4, Dan Davala - Founder/President wrote:

[r...@robsnowhite.com]

Always here great things about Tony G. That island is a nature reserve so no gettin on it next time. 

Victor just caught a prob 10lb bass over be weekend at Burke. 

Sent from my iPhone

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[John Bilotta]

Gene

Have fun.  Tony gugino is a pal.

John

Sent from my iPhone

[TurbineBlade]

Yeah,  I saw all the TPFR recommendations on a search and he seems like a nice guy up there.  

Crap, a preserve?  Really?  I seriously did not know that and will not hop out there in the future.  I swear I didn't see any signs or anything (yeah I know - "Seriously officer, I didn't know the speed limit went from 45 to 25 back there!").  I always make a point to be properly licensed, obey rules, don't litter, etc.  

I feel pretty dumb for not knowing that -- thanks for telling me.  I like knowing stuff like that.  I just told Beth and she said she saw a lot of cormorants in the trees too above the geese.  

I sure am glad I basically just admitted to dropping my pants on a wildlife preserve.  That's a good one for the journal.  Maybe I'll plan to drop my pants along the Salmon River next fall and again down in the Keys the following summer to complete the trifecta!  

Gene

On Tuesday, April 2, 2013 8:29:53 PM UTC-4, John wrote:

Gene

Have fun.  Tony gugino is a pal.

John

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 2, 2013, at 8:22 PM, "R...@robsnowhite.com" <r...@robsnowhite.com> wrote:

Always here great things about Tony G. That island is a nature reserve so no gettin on it next time. 

Victor just caught a prob 10lb bass over be weekend at Burke. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 2, 2013, at 8:08 PM, TurbineBlade <doubl...@gmail.com> wrote:

That sounds like fun Rich -- the last time I fished Burke Lake was 3 years ago with spinning rods.  I got a huge bluegill on a heddon torpedo, but nothing else.  A TON of Canada Geese were breeding (spawning might be a better term) on that central island where I got out to take a whizz.  Funny!  Those things are fearless.  I remember pleading with one nesting pair to just let me do my thing and I promised not to steal their egg!  

Didn't see any muskie -- but I'd love to catch one some day.  Along with a dozen other species I haven't got yet.  

I did just rig up a trip for Beth's birthday next fall up on the Salmon River with Tony Gugino.  That should be interesting...several species up there I've never caught.  

Oh - and excellent beer tie!  Thanks to Dan for all of his work before and after in setting up these beer ties to run smoothly.  I recognize the hellacious amount of work this involves, and don't envy his schedule on these days!  

Gene

On Tuesday, April 2, 2013 8:37:31 AM UTC-4, Dan Davala - Founder/President wrote:

A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who made it out last night to celebrate with us at the TPFR 4-year anniversary/birthday party/BEER TIE.  We had a head count of 80+ in attendance, and we cleared a little over $700 for the club which will go a very long way.  Thank you to everyone who donated, participated in the raffle, bought hats or stickers, or raised a glass of Whiskey for the cause.  Thank you to Rob Snowhite for teaching some awesome Shad Flies at the beginner's table.  Thank you to Neale Walker for pouring the spirits, and thank you to Heidi Bensen from Number 1 Sons pickles for bringing some awesome samples to go with the whiskey, and for donating a healthy dose of pickles to the raffle.

 

If you participated in the Whiskey tasting, please take a moment to provide some feedback on this thread.  It was only the first of many, but since it was the first there were a few hitches we'll sort out by the next one for sure.  Also, feel free to suggest future whiskey offerings you'd like to see represented.

 

Thanks again to everyone for the incredible fourth year - here's to the fifth!

 

Dan Davala

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[Matthew Longley]

Do you need a boat to fish Burke Lake?  Always meant to check it out.  Just upgraded from a 10 speed to a car, so I'm itching to expand my local fishing a bit.

On Tuesday, April 2, 2013 8:37:31 AM UTC-4, Dan Davala - Founder/President wrote:

[Matt S.]

You do not need a boat to fish at Burke Lake. in fact a nice series of trails about 5 miles long run around the perimeter. That said a boat comes in handy, no gas motors though. There are two ramps I know of, one at the main park and another at a parking lot built specifically for fishermen farther south off Rt 123. They just repaired it. Burke is a public fishing lake so technically all the yuppies in kayaks you see tooling around without fishing rods are bending the rules if they parked in the VDGIF lot without a license. My fishing vessel is a trailered 14 ft square stern canoe with a trolling motor and is perfect for Burke. And btw it usually has an empty seat so any TPFRs are welcome. For the boatless among us, Burke during much of the warm weather month rents jon-boats at the little bait shop.

It's a pretty lake, +30 ft in places, varied structure, and it has fish... but in NOVA that means very heavy pressure so bring your A-game and some luck. Lots of regulars there, mostly baitfishing for cats. I've put in a couple of times in the black of the night and been astonished to see dudes out with the same idea. My fly rodding successes there have been bass and bluegills.

And yes the island is a preserve for a gazillion nesting and very loud waterfowl. Nice fish structure around it... a fact that I'm sure occurred to the other 10,000 anglers, too :-)

So there is a little bit about Burke. It's home waters so I fish there, but not without frustrations. I confess I have not cracked the code on all those educated fish but hey each year fishing is a triumph of hope over experience. I am going to have a go at the musky with my new rig but I'd probably be less surprised if I hooked a unicorn.

[Matthew Longley]

Thanks Matt!  The parks website says that Burke Lake Park closes at sundown.  Is there public access?  How are you getting there at night?  Been working really late these days, but might try to make it out there for some shore casting after I get out of work one of these days.

[Charles Chi]

The fishing entrance is open 24/7

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[Matt S.]

Well a dusk the park facilities (golf and playgrounds and vending etc) close, and they may close the main gates too (I don't know).  However, the lake itself can legally be fished 24/7.  Anglers may park during off hours at the VDGIF entrance off Rt. 123.  Here's a link to a Burke Lake map, you will see in the lower quadrant of the map there is a "Fish and Game Entrance" -- that's where you turn in. 

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://restonpaths.com/BurkeLake/Images/NewMapSm.gif&imgrefurl=http://restonpaths.com/BurkeLake/&h=696&w=569&sz=74&tbnid=DeLRmLxN-XiYTM:&tbnh=89&tbnw=73&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dburke%2Blake%2Bpark%2Bmap%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=burke+lake+park+map&usg=__pXAD9RIbrxCBzP2frJaxIYhMVB8=&hl=en&sa=X&ei=LVJcUcaUOZjG4APt-YGYCw&ved=0CC8Q9QEwBQ

There is a small red sign on Rt. 123 marking the access road.  You drive about 200 yards through the woods to the parking lot, where you will find a concrete boat ramp. You'll see on the map its at the base of an inlet there.  There are some platforms one could fish from along the inlet, although water levels are low now.  If you are shore casting, just get on the trail at the shoreline; from that lot you head would bear right to get to the dam.   Heading left, you could also work your way out through the woods to a point at the north-eastern side of the inlet, off which I've caught bass and where I've seen people set up with flashlights at night probably targeting catfish.  Scope it out while it's still light, so you know what to do when it's dark. 

[Matthew Longley]

Awesome, thanks guys!

The park website says "The park gates are closed at sunset, and the park is closed at dark to all traffic: pedestrians, bicycles, and vehicles.", but that's great to know about the other entrance.  Will hopefully check it out soon.  If anyone wants to join for some nightfishing, let me know.

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[Bryan Lanier]

The fishing-only parking lot is directly accessible from from Ox Road and is not gated (if I recall correctly). So its possible to park before dawn but not technically legit.

Bryan

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[nicholas mendis]

Hey there,

 

The fishing only lot is legal 24 hours a day. There are signs there that state it. It also free to park and launch if you have a license or boat registration. If you use the park's entrance and are not in there jurisdiction you need tp pay an entrance fee and boat launch fee. The info is listed on Virginia's DGIF site. They probably do not post it on the park's site to keep the joggers and frisbee golfers (may have a real name) at bay. It still gets a lot of them parking there and there is not much enforcement.  Here is the link:

 

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/waterbodies/display.asp?id=26&section=facilities

 

"Anglers can access the lake through the Department ramp 24 hours a day at no charge. There is a $5 launch fee for boats at the park ramp along with a $8 entrance fee per vehicle on weekends for non-Fairfax County residents. Park users are reminded that Burke is a public fishing lake (not a "park" per se), and fishing is the only primary use. Lake activities interfering with fishing (e.g., remote control boats, dog training, paddle boats, sail boats) are prohibited."

 

Best regards,

 

Nick

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[Bryan Lanier]

Nick,

Thanks for the info. I stand corrected and glad for it.;-)

Bryan

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[Matthew Longley]

Do you need a license for a canoe "launch", or does that not count as a boat?  What if you just carry it to the shore?

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[Brendan]

you don't need to register canoes in virginia unless you use a motor (trolling or otherwise). also note that on burke you are not allowed to use gas motors on any kind of boat. 

i've been going to the lake a couple times a year for twenty+ years now and never realized there was second entrance. always parked and rented or launched from the park lot/docks...   should make things a lot easier once spring is in full force and the park gets crowded. thanks! 

Overall, have found the fishing to be best april - mid may from a boat, before the pressure really hits. once they start renting, it can be a mad house on the weekends. never caught a muskie/pike there but have pulled several nice bass during cold and wet spring days. 

good luck, 

b 

[Matt S.]

If I understand you correctly Matt, your question about licences and launching is really, what you need to do to fish at Burke.  

Answer:  just have a valid Virginia Fishing Licence on your person (because (a) you're law abiding, and (b) because having one is a requirement to park in the anglers' lot, though nobody checks) and then just show up ready to fish. It helps to be hopeful that you won't get skunked, as can be common on a heavily pressured lake. Maybe bring along a spinning rod and some bait while you're doing your initial recons.  The topwater bite will get better as the water warms in the weeks and months ahead, and the fly fishing potential along with it.   

I earlier recommended the lot and / or ramp that VDGIF sets aside for anglers, because it's open 24/7, and because there are no fees (license sales fund things like that), but by all means check out the other entrance, facilities, and the other ramp. If you need to rent a jon boat, there's none at the VDGIF ramp; you have to go to the other ramp and entrance (which is not open 24/7, and the rentals only run during warmer months I don't know if they're open for the season yet).   FWIW, the VDGIF biologist told me the one musky his guys netted recently was in nondescript shallow water near the main ramp where the boat rentals are, so go figure.  Presumably it's still finning around nearby.

This thread got a long way off topic from the original post about the whisky tie, which is ironic considering a lot of local readers in the know probably think I'd have to be drunk to have spent so much time extolling the virtues of Burke (*&^% Lake!!! :-)   But seriously check it out, it's worth a milk run now and again and I have had some good days there.  And hey if it stinks, there are other local options very nearby.