By Raymond Monasterski
There was a new addition to the Maury River in Buena Vista recently – more than 400 of them, in fact.
The city stocked the river with rainbow, brook and golden trout and opened it to trout fishing on Saturday morning.
“This is about people having fun, enjoying the city and patronizing [Glen Maury] Park,” said City Manager Jay Scudder. “It’s exciting.”
Anglers can now fish for trout from the lock and dam at the old Bontex plant off Rt. 60 to the floodwall across from the park.
Buena Vista resident Robert Douglas, 55, has lived in the area his entire life. He remembers coming to the river when he was younger. He said the stocking program has sparked his renewed interest in fishing locally.
“I went to the visitors center the other day and got 20 books on local fishing,” Douglas said.
He said he and his family usually go to South Carolina to fish during the summer. But with the stocking program, he said, he looks forward to coming to the river to fish for trout more often.
“It’s about the opportunity to encourage folks like parents and grandparents to spread fishing in the next generation,” Douglas said.
The stocking is part of Buena Vista’s ongoing overhaul of the park and its amenities.
Virginia’s Department of Game and Inland Fisheries operates many stocking programs across the state, but chose not to include the Maury River in its program this year, Scudder said. But the city worked with the department to get the fish to the stretch of the river that runs through Buena Vista. That cost the city about $3,000.
Anglers in Buena Vista can keep only five fish per day, one fewer than the state limit of six. They also need a state fishing license but not the trout stamp the state requires, according to the city’s parks department.
There were concerns about catch limits when the idea of a stocking program was introduced at a city council meeting in January, but Scudder said fishermen are expected to respect the limits. The city’s parks department will occasionally check on anglers, he said.
“It doesn’t really matter to me whether I catch five fish or no fish,” said Douglas. “It’s about having fun and enjoying the experience with my granddaughter.”
Area streams are already known for wild trout, according to the state fisheries department’s website.
Buena Vista resident James Hostetter fishes in streams and lakes around the region. While he fishes mainly for catfish and bass, he said, he expects the river to be a good spot for trout.
“I’m just glad they put some here for people to come and use the park,” Hostetter said.
Scudder said the city plans to re-stock the river throughout the year.
“It’ll add some adventure,” he said.