FARMINGTON, W.Va. — The red and white sphere shuttered in the water. Ripples radiated away from the small bobber as a frenzy of activity happened below the smooth surface. Finally after a peck or two, the orb disappeared and with a flick of the wrist another slab of fish fillet was secured for a skillet of grease.
Most who fish started out with such a scenario. Bluegill, crappie, perch, and red eye are all considered pan fish. They earned the name because of their eventual destination in days gone by. But somewhere along the way, fishing changed. Most of us evolved into different angling pursuits. Fewer and fewer still look at the small fish which make forage for the aquatic world as forage for our own tables. But why?
“We started off with that and then graduated to bigger and ‘sexier’ species like bass and musky. Everybody wants bigger, tougher fish,” said Dave Wellman, District I Fisheries Biologist for the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. “But you know, I still like to pan fish.”
Pan fishing isn’t difficult and by no means is it expensive. The key elements are a bobber, a hook, and a can of worms. There is no shortage of fish and certainly no shortage of action. Success and immediate activity are nearly guaranteed.
“It’s something we haven’t focused on nearly as much,” said Wellman of the DNR’s work in the area. “But it’s something I want to see us focus on in the future, whether it’s our state agency trying to manage those fisheries a little better or folks going out and just focusing on catching them.”
There are numerous ponds, lakes, rivers, and creeks in West Virginia which offer opportunity.
“Within our district, starting this year, we’ve started a project to look at several small impoundments and how we can improve panfishing, whether it’s bluegill, crappie, or what have you,” said Wellman. “That’s one way that a lot of folks are drawn into fishing, especially as a kid.”
Wellman and the DNR hope to enhance those opportunities and use them to help anglers rediscover the enjoyment of simple panfishing pursuits.