The lower portion of the Kanawha flows through District 5, and includes three lock and dam systems - the Winfield, Marmet and London facilities.

According to fisheries biologist Zack Brown, the pool between the Winfield Dam and the mouth of the Kanawha River was one of the most productive areas last season. The Winfield Lock and Dam includes a hydroelectric power plant, as well as good access. Access is quite limited at the London Dam. Though some public access is available at the Marmet Dam, the lockage area is being retrofitted, limiting fishing opportunities somewhat.

The book containing charts 109-186 covers the river from Foster, Kentucky to New Martinsville, West Virginia. The book containing charts 187-224 contains the New Martinsville, West Virginia to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania section. Be sure to order the appropriate book for the portion of the river you wish to fish.

At the time of this writing, charts for the Kanawha River were being printed, but not yet available. They may be by the time you read this.

River charts are available from the U.S. Government Bookstore. To order by phone, call (866) 512-1800. Charts may also be ordered on-line from this source at www.lrd.usace. army.mil/op/navpurch.asp.

The Ohio and Kanawha rivers offer excellent fishing for both shore and boat anglers, but they are not the only spots worthy of a hybrid foray this spring. The following lakes also feature good hybrid striper fishing.

R.D. Bailey is a rather deep lake, with steep, rocky banks and shoreline cliffs. Depths of over 70 feet are present.

According to biologist Scott, it's possible to connect with hybrids throughout the lake, but some areas are better than others. He said the fish seem to be attracted to areas with clay banks, as well as shoreline points that extend into the lake.

Though traditional hybrid lures like bucktail jigs and spoons produce fish, Scott notes that still-fishing with chicken liver and soft-shelled crayfish is perhaps the most effective tactic on the lake.

Boat access is available at the Guyandotte Point Marina. For more information, call the resource manager's office at (304) 664-3229.

Biologist Mark Scott said the hybrids in Bluestone don't average quite the size as those in R.D. Bailey, but that decent numbers of fish are available. While many anglers target stripers in Bailey, they'll still chase hybrids when the opportunity presents itself.

"Some catches are incidental, others are (made) by folks who see the fish busting shad and go after them," he said.

Bluestone doesn't feature much in the way of coves or points, and Scott said anglers catch stripers throughout the lake, in both the New River and the Bluestone River arms.

"Most of the fish that show up in our gill nets run about 15 to 18 inches," Scott notes. "We do get hybrids in the 6- to 7-pound range, though."

Bluestone Lake is near Hinton. Launch ramps are found at Bluestone Bridge, Bluestone State Park, Bluestone Marina, Leatherwood Landing, Bull Falls and Bertha.

Brown said surveys conducted last year revealed good numbers of hybrids in East Lynn Lake.

"We saw several nice hybrids during our sampling," he notes.

Boats can be launched in East Lynn Lake at the Lakeside Recreation, Lick Creek Launch and the East Fork Camping areas.

There is no closed season on hybrid stripers. Four fish at a minimum of 15 inches may be creeled.