“The shad are running,” he said, which means the rockfish should not be far behind. “I'm positive there are fish in the river. They're catching them in Plymouth.”
With his store located within walking distance to the Weldon boat landing, Barrett says the Roanoke River is a great place to get youngsters hooked on fishing. “To me I love fishing period.”
The river, he said, “It's a good start. You go, you're going to catch something, you're going to catch rockfish for five to six weeks.”
Once striper season is over, Barrett says people tend to move on. They shouldn't. “Brim and bass are abundant. It's not just a seasonal issue.”
The location is convenient, his son, Thomas said. “If you run out of minnows you can have someone hold your boat and get more.”
Barrett sees Muddy Banks as a way to get back to the family store. “It's about trying to give something back to my son and his daughter.”
Today was the first day of business for Barrett and he is continuing work on stocking the store. “We'll be selling some rods and reels, some life jackets and some old-time cane poles.”
He said he is looking at operating on a 10-month basis and if business is successful will look at operating year-round as well as stocking hunting supplies.
There will also be kayak and canoe rentals as well as cold drinks and snacks.
Hours will be from 6 a.m. until, he said.
