Place to wade in at Bull Run

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TurbineBlade

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Sep 6, 2012, 6:54:00 AM9/6/12
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Hi, what's a good place to wade in at Bull Run?  The marina area looks fairy "big", but up and downstream look inviting.....any tips on where to park to get access? 
 
Thanks,
 
Gene

Michael Smith

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Sep 6, 2012, 7:38:22 AM9/6/12
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Upper river:
There is a regional park just South of 66.  Use the 29 South exit.  Has entry fee requirements for non-residents of Fairfax, Prince William, etc counties.
Also on the West side, Ben Lomond park in Manassas near Splashdown water park has good free parking.
Hemlock Overlook Regional Park

Middle river (along the reservoir, requires a boat):
Fountainhead Regional Park
Sandy Run Regional Park






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Daniel Davala

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Sep 6, 2012, 7:50:45 AM9/6/12
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You can park at the entrance to Hemlock Overlook and hike down the connecting trail to the Bull Run Occoquan Trail.  Take that upstream or downstream.  I have been fishing this stretch for over 20 years and it is still one of my favorites. 
 
Recently, Trent Jones and I floated/paddled 11 miles of Bull Run from Rte. 28 to Bull Run Marina.  About a mile downstream from the Hemlock Overlook access point, the river gets deep and slow.  Your best water for wading and fishing is upstream from Hemlock.  I recommend that you hike up to Clifton Creek, get in there, and fish your way back down.  Watch out during thunderstorms as this river can rise rapidly with little warning.  Look at the high water marks and log jams to see what I mean.  Enjoy Bull Run, it is a true gem!
 
Dan Davala

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TurbineBlade

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Sep 6, 2012, 8:35:04 AM9/6/12
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Wow, thanks guys -- I'm still getting used to how friendly fly fishers seem to be.  I wish I had good information to share in return....but maybe that comes with time.  Anyway, my wife and I are still learning and we like small streams that have sunfish.  

Eager-biting sunfish in there I assume?  

Gene


On Thursday, September 6, 2012 7:50:47 AM UTC-4, Dan Davala - Founder/President wrote:
You can park at the entrance to Hemlock Overlook and hike down the connecting trail to the Bull Run Occoquan Trail.  Take that upstream or downstream.  I have been fishing this stretch for over 20 years and it is still one of my favorites. 
 
Recently, Trent Jones and I floated/paddled 11 miles of Bull Run from Rte. 28 to Bull Run Marina.  About a mile downstream from the Hemlock Overlook access point, the river gets deep and slow.  Your best water for wading and fishing is upstream from Hemlock.  I recommend that you hike up to Clifton Creek, get in there, and fish your way back down.  Watch out during thunderstorms as this river can rise rapidly with little warning.  Look at the high water marks and log jams to see what I mean.  Enjoy Bull Run, it is a true gem!
 
Dan Davala
On Thu, Sep 6, 2012 at 6:54 AM, TurbineBlade <doubl...@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi, what's a good place to wade in at Bull Run?  The marina area looks fairy "big", but up and downstream look inviting.....any tips on where to park to get access? 
 
Thanks,
 
Gene

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TurbineBlade

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Sep 6, 2012, 8:38:28 AM9/6/12
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BTW - We've never met Dan, but I heard about you from Carl and John at the casting practice last weekend.  Nothing incriminating  ;).  Sometime I hope to run into you out there!  

Gene

Eric Kruel

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Sep 6, 2012, 10:15:10 AM9/6/12
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Hemlock is a great place, I stumbled upon it last year and it has been and it has been my favorite spot since I started getting into fly fishing.  I have fished it a good bit over the summer since I am only about 15min away for me.  I have hiked down stream about a mile and upstream as far as the VRE train bridge.  Good spots thought the river, If you ever want to meet up and head down let me know. 

Matt Geiman

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Sep 7, 2012, 2:51:10 PM9/7/12
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Hey Eric, 

I live about 15 min from Hemlock too! I've been fishing it pretty steady for the past 1 1/2 years. If you ever want to meet up there and share experiences let me know. I can show you some spots above the train bridge if you haven't been up there.

Matt


Eric Kruel

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Sep 9, 2012, 9:27:03 PM9/9/12
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Matt we will definitely have to meet up some time. I usually try to get down their one day during the week after work, but that keeps getting tougher as the days growing shorter. Now it is usually just usually weekends when I can make it out.
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Jamie Carracher

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Apr 12, 2015, 9:08:20 PM4/12/15
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Deleted my original reply!

I just wanted to post a reply to this old post because it inspired me to visit this water on Saturday. My girlfriend and I hiked up and down stream after arriving at Hemlock Overlook. I don't have waders and the water was still a bit cold for entering, so I fished from shore (a bit tricky). I managed to get two decent-sized bluegill. More importantly, I got a lot of practice casting and learning. I have to say, this spot was a lot more fun than perching on rocks around Fletchers or Chain Bridge where it seems like most of the time I'm just casting blindly into murky water. 

I was surprised how quiet it was on a beautiful spring day. If you're looking for a spot to practice in a real nice setting, I'd definitely recommend Bull Run. 

Melser Bonilla

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Apr 13, 2015, 5:42:48 AM4/13/15
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Is this a sunfish area? Are there other species in Bull Run?

TurbineBlade

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Apr 13, 2015, 6:53:54 AM4/13/15
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Epic zombie post!  I must have only been holding a fly rod for a few weeks at that point.  

Yes, lots of sunfish and golf balls.  And people throwing sticks to golden retrievers and stuff.  I was there one morning early and there was a large trico spinner dance going on all over the place.  All in all, it's a fun place.  

I'm trying to get a pass to put in the canoe further downstream a bit to check that out....

Gene
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