A Rock Bass or two

Saturday fishing on the North Fork of the Shenandoah (before the rain) was great. Many smallmouth bass cooperated with our poppers, nymphs and streamers. This is a Rock Bass (aka: Goggle-Eye, Red-Eye) that was caught very close to a few spawning beds of its kind. Guess he thought my Brown Marauder looked like a threat to its nest.
Many fish (Redbreast, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass and a variety of minnows) are either spawning now or making preparations to do so in the near future. If you are wading the rivers, please use caution not to step on/ in/ close to these redds.