Hello from Meridian, MS

[jdphish]

My good friend Dan G told me about this site and I thought I would join the fun.
I love to fish for bluegills and other sunfish (really, I like all fish). I just don't get much time to do so.

So now when its raining or dark, I can vicariously enjoy fishing through this site.
I also have a pond or two with some bluegill.

I am sure I will learn a lot and share what I think I know.

[Bruce Condello]

It's great to have you here!

It's gonna be a long winter, so you might as well have some good pictures to look at and stories to read.

Bruce

[Dan Gwaltney]

Boy I wish this forum was equipped with those smiley face thingys! I'd have that little dancing guy kicking up his heels across the whole page!

Welcome home, James! I just hope we can hold your interest long enough to pick your brain a little bit. ;-)

[jdphish]

Thanks for the welcome Bruce. Thanks for the welcome and the invitation to this place Dan G. I have already enjoyed some of the pictures. It might take me a little while to learn my way around. Look forward to getting to know you folks. Any friend of Dan G's is a friend of mine.

I wasn't going to say anything, but Dan G. put me up to it......guess I should mention that I have been involved with fish culture for around twenty odd years. DanG where did time go? I am a fish biologist and have managed Meridian State Fish Hatchery for around 12 years. Here is a link my hatchery and my ugly mug, if your interested:

http://home.mdwfp.com/photogallery.aspx?Albumid=181

Meridian is the largest MS state hatchery with 25 surface acres of water and also the oldest. It was an old US Fish and Wildlife Service hatchery from the 1940's up until the state took over.

I love my job and love fish in general. Especially on my plate:-)

Like I told Dan, I don't know a whole lot about big bluegill, but I have grown around a million little ones. Don't get to fish much either. So I look forward to learning a lot here. Hope I can contribute useful info.

[Steve Crowder]

Welcome James. I am sure you will show us some great pictures of your big bluegills that you catch down in the cypress and tupelo trees!

[jdphish]

Thanks, Steve. We don't have a lot of those swamp trees in these ole red clay hills near Meridian. The Delta, over near MS river has an abundance of that type fishing. Don't worry when I get to go I will share the pics.

I see your from NC. Are you in the lowcountry? Near the swamps?

[Steve Crowder]

I know how you feel James, being in the red clay hills. I live just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina. There are some good fishing areas along the Catawba River and a few city water reservoirs in the area that have good fishing. Nothing like the Lowcountry of South Carolina. The area around Charleston, South Carolina (the Edisto River, the longest free flowing black water river in the US) has the best bluegill, redbreast, ect. fishing I've ever witnessed. Used to live in that area, but was transfered up here 15 years ago. Still get the Charleston occasionally and fish there when I can. I'll post pictures of the Edisto next time I get that way.

[shooter]

welcome jd ,this is a great site and well kept,no spam and a bunch of great guys and gals,that love to fish,and share what they know.




gators can't fly

[Marvin Scott Hoffmaster]

I spent a few years of my youth in Meridian....well Marion Just outside of meridian. Did a lot of fishing there.
Had a blast.