Virginia State Parks has joined in a partnership with several agencies including, Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries, Virginia Tourism and numerous County Tourism Agencies to promote fishing in Southwest Virginia. The group has formed Fish Virginia First to promote tourism in the area that roughly stretches from Kerr Reservoir by Occoneechee State Park to Douthat State Park and everything West of that line. A grant of $100,000 from the Tobacco Industry allowed the group to produce a rack card for shows, develop an interactive website for planning a trip (FishVirginiaFirst.com) and produce a fishing show to be aired on television.
The show was shot over several days at different locations that included 4 of our state parks, Occoneechee, Claytor Lake, New River Trail and Shot Tower. For this show, the two species of fish featured was crappie and walleye. Despite heavy rains the day shooting was to start and high muddy water with lots of debris at both bodies of water used for filming, anglers were successful. Local bass pros John Cruz and David Dudley did an excellent job promoting both Virginia and our State Parks. The show will include other things families can do while in Virginia, which of course includes the many things to do while at our parks.
To view a short 5 minute snippet of the filming click here. The actual full length show should be out later this year and air along the East Coast and Mid-Atlantic.
