Spirit of Moonpie and I spent the 3rd through the 5th on the Blackwater at Joyner’s Bridge. The water was 5.11 on the Burdette gauge, 50 degrees and clear. Air temps ranged from 29 to 55 degrees.

It was a very nice trip, a little chilly that second night, but pretty darn nice out there. With all this mild weather the water temps have remained higher than normal for this time of year and the fish love it.

I caught a bunch of bass, and even though they were small it was a lot of fun. All fish were caught on a No. 3 Mepps Minnow.

I also caught several chain pickerel, which was one of my goals on this trip. That is my favorite fish to eat. Mmmm, just thinking about those golden brown crispy fillets curling up on the ends, nice firm white meat, some tarter sauce — mmmm — makes me want to go plug in the deep fryer right now.

I also harvested a couple squirrels for my annual Brunswick stew I make every winter. Mmmmm, now just thinking of that hot, rich, savory broth and succulent bits of sidemeat, tree rat and chicken makes me want to unplug the deep fryer.

Okay, enough food titillation, this computer mouse is starting to look tasty! The trash on this trip was light and I was amazed at that. Usually up there in the logjams it is a mess. I believe someone else is picking up trash up there. If that is so I am so thankful and thank you whoever you are. Now if others would just do a little of that I could spend more time gathering things to eat on the two rivers we call the Blackwater and Nottoway.

JEFF TURNER is the Blackwater/Nottoway Riverkeeper. He can be reached at blknotkpr@earthlink.net.