Anyone know what would be the closest body of water to Frederick co Virginia to find darters with some bright colors. Most of the darters in the Shenandoah river/ Opequon creek watershed are kind of cryptic. Thanks in advance.
Colorful darters
Started by
MtFallsTodd
, Aug 14 2015 09:40 AM
10 replies to this topic
#2
littlen
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- NANFA Member
- Washington, D.C.
Posted 14 August 2015 - 10:36 AM
You're best is likely going to be Greenside darters, E. blennioides. However, they get fairly dull in captivity. Potomac drainage doesn't offer too much. If you're willing to travel, you aren't too far some some really great species----James drainage has more. But it sounds like you want to stay local.
Nick L.
#4
littlen
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- NANFA Member
- Washington, D.C.
Posted 14 August 2015 - 11:13 AM
North of the Chesapeake Bay drainage (above the red line in the map: http://dswcapps.dcr....basins_l_2m.png) there isn't as much diversity. Get south, and west of it in you'll be in really good shape. However, that defeats your OP of where to get more colorful darters in Frederick Co., VA. There are some introduced populations of Rainbow darters, E. caeruleum in northern, VA. Those are great fish and quite colorful. Might be better and quicker to find the nearest population to you.
Nick L.
#5
littlen
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- NANFA Member
- Washington, D.C.
Posted 14 August 2015 - 11:18 AM
There are definitely Potomac drainage populations: http://nas2.er.usgs....x?SpeciesID=809
I'm in Fairfax Co. but have not been out hunting for them yet. The FFX Co. website doesn't list them, but I believe they are in the far northern reaches. Pretty useful map of locations should you ever decide to dabble in the area. http://www.fairfaxco...ishes_of_fx.htm
Nick L.
#10
Kanus
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- Board of Directors
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Posted 14 August 2015 - 04:48 PM
Hi Todd. I'm your VA Regional Rep and, while I live in the wilds of SW Virginia currently, I used to live in just outside of NOVA and have looked around for Rainbow Darters a bit in the area. If you have a hard time finding them, I'd be glad to help point you in their direction. I don't know any spots close to Mountain Falls, but I have caught them on the other side of the county. Barring any barriers downstream (like reservoirs) I don't see why they wouldn't be in your area too though.
Part of the fun of fish collecting is getting out there and making your own discoveries, so don't be afraid to check out some local spots too! Let us know what you find!
Derek Wheaton
On a mountain overlooking the North Fork Roanoke River on one side, the New River Valley on the other, and a few minutes away from the James River watershed...the good life...
Enchanting Ectotherms
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