Continuing our tradition, we selected West Neck Creek in Virginia Beach, Virginia for our April edition of The Twelve Months of Kayaking. Spring has definitely arrived here at West Neck Creek. Conditions were perfect for a day long paddle and nothing but glass as I launched out from West Neck Marina.
Heading North, I passed under the West Neck Road bridge, immediately spotting a cormorant sunning himself on an old Cypress tree root.
Casting along a shallow cove, I landed my first large-mouth bass of the day early in this paddle. The water is beginning to warm slowly and the fish are on a feeding frenzy before they get on their beds.
All the Osprey nests on the creek are extremely active this time of year. The females are beginning to sit on their nests and the males are busy hunting on the creek and rebuilding the nests.
West Neck Creek is one of the best locations in Virginia Beach to get an up close view of Osprey, especially in the Spring.
Now traveling on the West side of the creek I landed another large-mouth in the shallows. Today the conditions were perfect to catch these hungry predators.
From around the point, two very curious Canadian geese swam right up to my kayak to see what all the commotion was about.
These two guys appeared to enjoy my company. They followed right along side of me for quite a while as I traveled South down the creek.
Heading North I witnessed an amazing site as I was approaching the bridge again. Dozens of swallows were gathering around the top of a tree creating a hypnotic pattern.
The weather was amazing and there was barely a ripple on the water the entire morning. I found another favorite spot of mine untouched and I began to work the shore line on the way back to the marina.
My third large-mouth of the day and I could not be happier with all the success I was having, even with the water temperatures hovering around 58 degrees.
Two more visitors showed up to investigate, members of one of the local families of otters. They didn't seem pleased I was invading their fishing grounds. Lucky for them I always practice catch and release!
Well it's time to head back to the marina. I've worked up an appetite today and one of my favorite things about arriving back at this launch area is the slow cooked BBQ provided by Blackwater Trading Post Catering. I'm excited to see the evidence of Spring finally showing its face in Virginia. Another day, another month, exploring the waterways of Coastal Virginia. See you all on the water!
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