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Rick Boettcher

6/21/2013

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PictureRick with a nice SML striper
I have fished for stripers at Smith Mountain Lake for two and a half years since buying a condo at Bridgewater Pointe. I have a home in Southwest Roanoke county as my primary residence but am at the lake as often as possible and spend time in FL during the cold water months. I regret not realizing long ago that Smith Mountain Lake is a great fishery. I have enjoyed fishing all my life and caught stripers in the Chesapeake bay in the early 80's. I would say that Joanne, my wife of 34 years is one of my closest fishing buddies although you would not know it when we are out there on the water. She caught a 20+ lb striper in the bay years ago while 6 months pregnant. We both are anxious to learn more about striper fishing. We have 7 grandchildren, 6 girls and a boy. Our boys live in Roanoke and Salem  our girls live in West Virginia. 




(Click the "Read More" link to the right for the rest of the article)

For years I was in the Bird business - that is raising game birds, pigeons, ducks, peafowl,etc, as a hobby that took up all my time. Now when I'm not fishing I am thinking of going and where.  During the cold weather months I spend time in Bradenton, Florida. It is on the Gulf coast south of Tampa and north of FT. Meyers. I do really enjoy it during the winter and fish the surf almost everyday. Don't do a lot of catching, some flounder, Spanish mackerel, bonnet head sharks, sheepshead and small stingrays. I have a small 14' aluminum boat I use for freshwater mostly for crappie and catfish down there.

I have been with the Club for 2 years and currently hold the position as Treasurer on the Board and also serve as Tournament Co-Director. I generally fish mid lake and around / in  Betty's and Becky's creeks. II typically use mostly live bait but have tried my hand at jigging.  I would like to do more umbrella-rig trolling, but I am just not very confident with it.

My biggest striper on SML was a 33" fish caught in Gills creek. I am very interested in improving the SML fishery and looking to work with the DGIF in the stocking program to improve survival rates. I fish from a 20' Hurricane deck boat - green and white with Mercury power. I like to fish anytime but feel late summer is the best time. I have a lot to learn about SML Stripers and as well as how to better throw a cast-net.  I am always ready to listen to any suggestions.
Picture
Rick trying his hand at a new cast-net technique
Picture
Hanging out at one of the Club tournaments
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