Leave the nasty 2010 winter behind and bring in the 2010 fishing season with an evening of New River smallmouth bass fishing techniques and West Virginia trout fishing secrets featuring Bruce Ingram, renowned sporting writer and contributor to Virginia Wildlife magazine, and Britt Stoudenmire, New River guide from the New River Outdoor Company. The ‘Thaw-Out’ Smallmouth & Trout Fishing Seminar March 4th in Christiansburg event will be held Thursday, March 4, at the Montgomery County Government Center, 2 miles south of I-81 (exit 118C) on Rt. 11 in Christiansburg. Admission is free, but a $5 donation at the door supports the New River Valley Trout in the Classroom program and puts you in the running for a New River smallmouth float trip guided by Britt Stoudenmire, as well as numerous other door prizes. Additional door prize chances will be available for purchase. Bruce Ingram will also donate $2.50 from every book sold at the event to the Trout in the Classroom program! Trout in the Classroom is a cooperative program involving VDGIF, numerous public schools, Trout Unlimited and community and business partners to introduce students to the science and excitement of coldwater ecology. As an added feature to the event, Bruce and Britt have agreed to answer your fishing questions that may be pre-submitted via email to the address be_ingram@juno.com. Come out to hear some great fishing information from regional experts and support a worthwhile cause! Contact Todd Lowe (540) 797-0643, toddlowe@gmail.com for more information.

News release courtesy Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries