Bluestone contains a decent hybrid striper population, though the fish don't attain the size in this lake as they do in others.

"In Bluestone, they catch a few nice ones," he noted. "It seems like most of the hybrids caught in Bluestone are the good quality ones, from about 18 inches up to 3 or 4 pounds, with an occasional bigger fish thrown in. But I don't hear of the bigger fish, the ones from 12 to 14 pounds, coming from Bluestone."

During the early part of the season Scott recommended folks try some of the upriver areas of the lake.

"Many people do catch them up in the New River during the spring when they make their mock spawning run," Scott reported. "The mouth of Indian Creek, places like that, during the spring can be good."

Tactics-wise, various techniques work at times on this lake. Anglers fishing for other fish make many of the catches.

"Many of the hybrid catches on Bluestone are incidental catches, ones made by anglers targeting other species of fish," Scott said. "You don't see many people fishing specifically for hybrids. Many of the ones who do seem to use jigs, ones in the 1/2-ounce size range. Quite a few people at Bluestone just fish to catch what they can catch. If they see hybrids busting shad on the surface, they will throw a jig or spoon at them.

"If I had to pick one species Bluestone is noted for, it would have to be big channel catfish. It's a great channel catfish lake and it has some big flatheads as well. It has a decent bass population, with largemouths, spots and smallmouths present. This lake has a hodgepodge of species."

In addition to the lake itself, Bluestone offers a good tailrace fishery. Hybrids are one of the species commonly caught there.

"Some fish are caught in the tailwaters," Scott said. "There is a walkway down there. You have to wade out to get on it. It's a pretty shallow river right there. But folks do catch them on twistertail jigs. Late fall and early winter seems to be a good time to catch hybrids in the tailwaters. From there the fish just spread out.

"There's another lake down the river called Hogs Nest; sometimes anglers will get them in there. The fish like to hold in there a bit. Then they will go on down to the Kanawha River. They follow the forage. If they don't have anything to eat, they keep moving."

Scott felt the mouth of Indian Creek and Cedar Branch areas as good spots for the shore-fisherman.

According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bluestone Lake is easily accessible from interstates 77 and 64. Take exit 14 (Athens Road) off I-77 to state Route (SR) 20. Travel north approximately 25 miles to Bluestone Dam. From I-64, take exit 139 (Sandstone/Hinton) off I-64 to SR 20, and travel south approximately 12 miles to Bluestone Dam. The dam is located at Hinton.

Six boat ramps are available, though not all are suited for larger size boats. For additional information, contact the Bluestone State Park at (304) 466-2805, or call the project manager's office at (304) 466-1234.

There is no horsepower limit on the lake.