Park Authority

By Chase Brown

The cold fall weather is finally starting to move in, and you know what that means. The Striped Bass are here. Striped Bass, or Stripers as most people call them, are a migratory fish that move up and down the East Coast of the United States. During the fall, massive schools of these fish travel up the Potomac River and into the creeks. Stripers can vary in size, the smaller ones which are generally referred to as “schoolies” are usually around 12 to 24 inches.  However, in recent years anglers have pulled out some trophy size Striped Bass from the Potomac with some reaching over 40 inches.

The typical ways to catch these fish are soft plastics, crankbaits, or live minnows. Make sure that you use a jig head that is not too heavy or light, I recommend between a ¼ or ½ oz. depending on the current.  In my experience, Striper seemed to be really drawn to white or silver colors and especially love the movement that a long grub trail lure makes. The color of your jig head isn’t as important to Striper, but I typically go for red, white, or standard lead color. Live baitfish are an excellent choice as well for catching Stripers so if you can get hold of some bullhead minnows or shiners you should have success. I find that a 3/0 size circle hook with a ¼ oz. weight attached a foot above the hook is the best choice for fishing your live bait.

Areas such as creek mouths and deep channels are excellent places to find Stripers holding up. You can find a lot of success in areas where the Potomac meets up with a creek as the Striper are typically moving in and out of these areas on a regular basis. The best time to target these fish are on an incoming tide so make sure you go online and find a tide chart for your area. Striper tend to travel in schools so if you can catch one then you can usually catch a handful. Remember the technique you used to catch the first one and there should be more to follow. Deep channels along shallow riverbanks are another area that Striper tend to frequent since the deep water gives them some cover and allows them to pick off baitfish as they move out of the shallows. Fairfax County provides some excellent fishing spots to target Stripers around the Alexandria and Mount Vernon area. Any of the local creeks around you that feed into the Potomac are great places for you to try to target Stripers. Take a drive along the George Washington Parkway and you will be sure to find some great areas to try and land one of these amazing fish.

By Chase Brown

Dust off your tackle box and take the tags off that brand-new fishing pole you got during the holidays because warmer weather is on the horizon and with it comes the early spring fishing season!

Here’s what you need to know on what to do before your first fishing trip this year, as well as tips and information on the fish you can expect to catch. If you have any specific questions about fishing in the area or fishing in general, please do not hesitate to reach out to our FCPA Fishing Coordinator Dan Grulke at dan.grulke@fairfaxcounty.gov. Also, be sure to go online and check out some of the fishing classes we will be offering this year at some of your favorite local parks!

Maintaining your equipment is incredibly important when it comes to fishing, and it can save you a lot of money if done properly and in a timely manner.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare for the upcoming fishing season.

1. Gather all your gear together including all rods, reels, tackle boxes, nets and any miscellaneous lures you may have lying around.
2. Grab your rods and make sure each eye on each rod is properly secured and lines up properly.
3. Take your fishing reels and ensure that each one is cranking smoothly and that you have taken off any fishing line from last year. If your fishing reel is tough to crank and feels sort of locked up, then you may have to spray some lubricant inside the grooves to eliminate some of the rust or any gunk that may have built up inside over time. Be sure to change out your line before your first fishing trip this year if it has been on your reel for over a few months, as fishing line tends to lose its strength and become brittle after it sits on the reel for a while.
4. Make sure that you check for any bait or food in your tackle box that may have been left in it over the winter. For parents, I recommend you check your child’s tackle box for leftover food or bait every time they come home from fishing. I cannot tell you how many times I have found month-old hot dogs and bread that have led to entire tackle boxes needing to be thrown away.
5. Examine all your lures and hooks for signs of rust or wear. Use a sharpening stone on any of them that you think may need to be sharpened. If you find out that a lot of your lures or hooks have started to rust, then you most likely have an issue with water or moisture getting into your tackle box. I would try to locate any holes or breaks in your tackle box, and then think about moving it to a different, dryer location.
6. Check your fishing nets for gashes that may have been made from the previous year and examine them for rust if they are made of metal. Depending on what fish you are targeting, you may be able to get by with a few small gashes in your net, but you can make a quick fix with some thick sewing string and a needle, if you think it is necessary.

Now that you have some steps to get yourself prepared for the season, let us talk about some of the fish you may be targeting out there!

Spring is the time of year when largemouth bass begin their spawning rituals and tend to become highly aggressive. It is also a great time of the year for finding a trophy fish, since a lot of the females are pretty fattened up to prepare for spawning. Typically, you can find pairs of fish along grass beds guarding their nests from intruders and attacking anything that gets too close. In my opinion, this makes for an easy and enjoyable day of fishing, since you do not have to put too much effort into choosing the right lure. If it can fit in their mouth and you cast it close to their nesting site, you should have no problem hooking up with a bass this time of year.

Another reason that spring is a favorite time of year among anglers is the migratory species you can find in the Potomac River, such as striped bass and yellow perch. I had an article that previously talked about striped bass and their fall migration up the river , but they will also make a smaller migration down the river in the early springtime. Typically, there are not as many as there are in the fall, but these fish always seem to come back when the weather starts to warm up. The warmer waters also signal the beginning of the yellow perch migration. These fish spawn in rivers and creeks during this time of year, just like the largemouth bass. The yellow perch, not to be confused with the white perch that inhabits this area year-round, has some distinguishable features that separate it from its counterparts, including its color, which is typically greenish yellow with black bands along its sides.  

I have my best luck with yellow perch when fishing small soft plastics along areas with lots of rocks. Just like the largemouth bass, these fish are very aggressive during their spawning season and will strike at just about anything that crosses their path.

For those of you looking to experience fishing for the first time or looking to catch anything that will take your bait, panfish is the way to go.

Virginia has numerous species of panfish but the most popular three are bluegill, sunfish and crappie. They can be found in just about any body of water around the area and are a fun and easy species to catch that will be sure to brighten anyone’s fishing day.

All you need for these fish are some fishing line, a hook and bait, such as worms or crickets. Panfish typically travel in schools too, so where you find one you should be able to find a dozen.

Fishing for panfish is perfect for beginners or any angler looking for a relaxing day on the water. Although they are not the biggest fish by any means, they have some beautiful colors and patterns and a decent-sized one will put up a good fight on a lightweight fishing rod.

Good luck to all of you this fishing season, and I hope that this article helps you land that trophy catch this spring!

Laurel Hill and Twin Lakes Golf Clubs have received the prestigious Weddy Award for Best Golf Club Venue, presented by Brides & Weddings Magazine. The 2026 Weddy Awards celebrate excellence in the wedding and event industry, recognizing businesses that deliver exceptional service, innovation and professionalism. The honor is based on real wedding experiences shared by couples and reflects both venues as trusted and well-regarded wedding and event locations in Fairfax County.

"Earning the Weddys Award is especially meaningful because it reflects the voices of the couples we serve," Event Director Marisa Devon said. "Whether couples choose Laurel Hill or Twin Lakes, they can expect clear communication, attentive coordination and a team that is fully invested in making their day feel effortless and personal."

Laurel Hill attributes its continued recognition to a hospitality-forward approach centered on consistency, professionalism and attention to detail from the initial tour through the final sendoff. Twin Lakes has earned its recognition through the same commitment to service, offering couples a welcoming setting with flexible options and experienced staff that is focused on delivering thoughtful coordination throughout the planning process.

Nestled in Lorton’s rolling terrain, Laurel Hill Golf Club offers stunning views, a rich historical backdrop and a welcoming ambiance. The venue features a 9,400-square-foot clubhouse, including the Tower Grill restaurant and customizable event packages tailored to every couple’s needs. Its scenic landscapes provide picture-perfect settings for wedding photography. The event director guides families through every detail, taking pressure off parents and couples, while the culinary team delivers food that guests continue to rave about. Couples and guests consistently praise the venue’s exceptional service, clear communication and attention to detail.

Located in Clifton, Twin Lakes offers a charming and inviting setting for weddings and events. The venue features versatile indoor and outdoor spaces, along with flexible event packages to suit every celebration. The team is known for being calm, professional, and wonderful with children, creating an environment where guests can truly relax.

Brides & Weddings Magazine is Northern Virginia’s premier guide for engaged couples, offering planning advice and showcasing top wedding vendors. Winners of the Weddy Awards are selected by a panel of industry experts and are featured in the January 2026 issue of the magazine.

For more information about these venues visit the Golf Fairfax Weddings and Parties webpage.

Winter is the perfect time to reflect on your game and sharpen your skills for the upcoming season. Pinecrest Golf Course invites golfers to a one-hour, indoor clinic held in the Valis Family Learning Center on Feb. 14 or Feb. 15. Golfers will learn how to think their way around the course, make smarter decisions and manage risk to turn better choices into lower scores, all without changing their swing.

"Golf is 20% talent and 80% management," said professional golfer Ben Hogan. Poor club selection, overly aggressive shots or ignoring hazards can easily cost several strokes per round.

This clinic will teach how golf professionals approach the game to avoid costly mistakes and gain an edge on every hole. Students will also receive an electronic Course Strategy & Management instruction book to reinforce key concepts.

Clinic Details:

• Dates and Time: Feb. 14 or Feb. 15, from 4 to 5 p.m.
• Cost: $20 per golfer
• Limited to the first 20 golfers
• Location: Held indoors in the Valis Family Learning Center at Pinecrest Golf Course
• Register by contacting the Pinecrest Pro Shop at 703-941-1061

Pinecrest Golf Course is located at 6600 Little River Turnpike in Alexandria.

For more information about this and other Golf Fairfax events, please visit the Golf website.

Young children who attend Fairfax County Park Authority’s Kids Play Preschools grow, learn and play, all while building school-readiness. The Park Authority hosts preschool programs at three locations:

• Franconia Rec Center, 6601 Telegraph Road, Alexandria
• Stone Mansion, 3900 Stoneybrooke Drive, Alexandria
• Spring Hill Rec Center, 1239 Spring Hill Road, McLean

Kids Play Preschools feature welcoming, safe environments that nurture the emotional, social and intellectual growth of young minds. Children enrolled enjoy outdoor play, circle time and educational activities guided by caring and dedicated educators. The Park Authority’s preschool staff are CPR- and First Aid-certified, complete required background checks and have prior experience working with children. Preschool programs range from two to five days a week.

Learn more about our Kids Play Preschools and prepare for the 2026-2027 school year by attending an upcoming open house event at both Franconia Rec Center and Spring Hill Rec Center. No appointment is necessary, just drop in between 9:30 a.m. and noon on Tuesday, Feb. 24, and Wednesday, Feb. 25.

Fairfax County Park Authority’s Kids Play Preschools at Franconia Rec Center and Spring Hill Rec Center also offer extended care opportunities for enrolled students. The extended care offerings provide a chance for additional learning and creativity, as well as fun, structured activities and playtime. Both locations have limited spaces on a first-come, first-served basis. Those interested should contact their preschool to learn more and register.

Interested in starting the registration process? Fill out the Preschool Enrollment Inquiry form by visiting the Rec Centers’ Preschool webpage.

Enjoying laughter, embarking on immersive adventures, and building connections that last a lifetime — these are the ingredients of Fairfax County Park Authority camps. And now that registration is open for all upcoming spring and summer camps, it’s time to secure your spot in an experience sure to form lasting memories.

Whether it is dancing to the latest hits (from "KPop Demon Hunters" to Taylor Swift) or delving into the world of science and technology (with engaging themes, such as "Star Wars" to Minecraft), there’s a camp for every interest. Take up an instrument, try a new sport, connect with animals, explore nature, learn acting skills, cook up something in the kitchen, craft with various mediums and much more.

The Park Authority brings back summer camps for people with disabilities:

• Adapted camps: In addition to providing different levels of accommodation whenever possible to ensure those with disabilities can enjoy camp, the Park Authority is hosting Adapted Park Explorers and Sensory Friendly LEGO® camps.
• Adult camps: The fun is not just for kids — adults can enjoy much-needed self-care and revel in the fun of camps this summer.
• Preschool camps: Kids ages 3 to 5 can join in the fun with everything from animal encounters to dance to nature exploration to sports and more. See the full list by selecting "Preschool (3-5 years)" in the Age Range category. 
• Teen camps: Teenagers can get in on action this summer with specialized camp activities from golf to fishing to fencing to paddling to table tennis to acting to gaming and coding. See the full list by selecting "(13-17 yrs)" in the Age Range category. 

Don’t miss the last set of winter camps happening Feb. 16-17:

• Get in on the ACTion!
• Draw and create
• Jump into sports
• Build with LEGOs
• Explore music
• Try science on for size
• Become a winter wildlife ranger

Save the date for the upcoming camps coming this spring — grab your spring spots before they are gone:

• March 20
• March 30-April 3
• April 6
• April 10
• May 26-27

With so many options for camps throughout the year, the Park Authority offers numerous resources to help make the process for searching and registering easier. Use the following resources:

• 2026 Camp Guide: Explore the full suite of spring and summer camp offerings.
• My Summer Camp Planner: Download to make notes of registration codes and open registration dates to track your top choices.
• Camp Spreadsheet: Use this spreadsheet to sort and filter available camps and Extended Care offerings for children by their age, the week, the type of camp and the location.
• Search and register online! 

Keep up with all the details by visiting the Park Authority's Camps website. For more information or assistance, please email camps@fairfaxcounty.gov.  

If you’re looking for a seasonal job that gets you out from behind a desk and lets you work in a beautiful setting while building real-world skills, this is it. Spend your season at Burke Lake Park, one of Fairfax County’s most beautiful outdoor destinations!

Drop-in interviews at the Burke Lake Park Information Center will be held Feb. 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27 from noon to 5 p.m. Appointments are not necessary, so come by to explore job opportunities, complete an application and interview on the spot -- all in one visit!

Seasonal opportunities include:

• Manager on Duty (MOD)
• Marina Attendant
• Office Attendant
• Train Attendant
• Mini Golf Attendant
• Camp Store Attendant
• Maintenance Positions

Why work at Burke Lake Park?

• Work outdoors in a scenic environment.
• Build customer service, leadership and teamwork skills.
• Be part of a fun, supportive team.
• Gain experience and transferable skills that look great on a resume.

Can’t make it to the drop-in interviews? No worries! View job ads and apply now for open positions at the Burke Lake jobs website. To view all employment opportunities with FCPA, visit the Park Authority's Jobs website.

For more information, contact the Park Authority at FCPAJOBS@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-324-8792.

Burke Lake Park is located at 7315 Ox Road in Fairfax Station. For more information, visit the Burke Lake Park website at w or call 703-323-6600.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin evaluating applications for curatorship of the historic Dranesville Tavern, located in the Dranesville District at 11919 Leesburg Pike, Herndon.

The evaluation process will include multiple livestreamed work sessions, a public meeting and a public comment period to receive public input and questions for consideration of the applicants. Details pertaining to the proposed curator application and opportunities for submitting public comments are now available online at on the Dranesville Tavern project website.

The Park Authority Evaluation Team will convene at its initial work session on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 10:30 a.m. The meeting will be livestreamed via the Dranesville Tavern project website and a recording will be made available following the meeting. Public comments will be accepted online through the Dranesville Tavern project website and via mail starting Feb. 24 through March 25 at 5 p.m.

The Park Authority will also host an in-person public meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17 at the McLean Community Center, located at 1234 Ingleside Ave. in McLean. The meeting will include an overview of the Resident Curator Program, presentations by curator applicants for the Dranesville Tavern and an opportunity for community members to ask questions.

At least one subsequent session will be held at 10 a.m. on March 31. While the work sessions on Feb. 24 and March 31 will be viewable by the public, they will not include a public comment period.

Dranesville Tavern is one of the few remaining examples of a rural Virginia inn or ordinary. Located at the intersection of two major roads (Georgetown Pike and Alexandria Leesburg Pike), it served travelers moving through the region. Built in 1823 by Stanford Cockerille, it originally consisted of two two-story log structures. 

The inn changed hands over the years with various owners adding onto the original structure. The tavern remained open to the public until 1946 and to boarders until 1968. In the 1970s, the tavern was threatened by the expansion of Route 7 until the Park Authority purchased it and moved it 135 feet away from its original location. 

Dranesville Tavern has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as on the Fairfax Inventory of Historic Sites for its association with the turnpike trade in Virginia.

The Resident Curator Program offers long-term lease agreements to qualified tenants in beautiful public park settings. The curator leases are without charge in exchange for financial commitment and approved rehabilitation of the Park Authority’s underutilized historic properties.

Learn more by visiting the Resident Curator Program website. For additional questions, contact Stephanie Langton, manager of the Resident Curator Program, at stephanie.langton@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Beginning on Monday, Feb. 16, Scott’s Run Nature Preserve will be closed for an urgent sewer project to renew and rehabilitate the Scott's Run Siphon wastewater facility. Contractors for the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services will complete this work, which is expected to take approximately three months to complete, depending on weather conditions.

This infrastructure enables the transportation of wastewater across the Potomac River, through Carderock National Park and connects to D.C. Water’s Potomac Interceptor in Maryland. This project is essential to maintaining uninterrupted service and preventing potential wastewater overflow into the Potomac River.

To ensure public safety and protect natural resources, Scott’s Run Nature Preserve, including the east and west parking areas and all trails, will be closed for the duration of the emergency work. Residents are encouraged to use the Park Authority’s Park Amenity Locator and Trail Buddy to identify alternate parks and trails during this closure. The public will be notified when the park reopens.

Updates regarding project progress and any changes to the timeline will be available online at the Scott’s Run Siphon Rehabilitation project webpage.

For more information about the project, please email Sara Ferrance, Engineer V Fairfax County Wastewater Collection Division at sara.ferrance@fairfaxcounty.gov. Questions related to the park closure may be directed to the Park Information Office at parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Scott's Run Nature Preserve is located at 7400 Georgetown Pike in McLean. For more information, visit the Scott's Run Nature Preserve website or call 703-759-9018. 
 

Honor Black history through meaningful programs that explore African American history, culture and lived experiences across Fairfax County. Throughout February and beyond, the Fairfax County Park Authority offers engaging events, exhibits and interpretive programs for all ages that highlight the essential role Black individuals and communities have played in shaping the county’s past and present.

From stories of resilience and labor to traditions, skills and community life, these programs invite visitors to learn, reflect and connect with history at park and historic sites across the county.

Programs and Events

Black History Month at the Meeting House

Frying Pan Farm Park, Feb. 7  (canceled) or Feb. 21, noon–2 p.m. Free

Remembrance: Enslaved Lives at Sully

Sully Historic Site, Feb. 8 or Feb. 21, 1–2 p.m. $10

Enslaved Lives and the Legacy of Slavery

Historic Huntley, Feb. 19, 1–2:30 p.m. $12

Grit and Grain: African American Millers

Colvin Run Mill, Feb. 28, 2–3 p.m. $10

To explore additional resources, exhibits and programs that highlight Black history and culture across Fairfax County Parks, visit the Black History Month webpage.