need some guidance on the Rappahannock & Potomac for smallmouth
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Rob Pallace
Jun 19, 2012, 11:54:59 AM6/19/12
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Hi all,
I am taking a day off in the next week or so to fish. I know there have been some postings lately about the Rappahannock, but I am wondering if anyone can expound on the access/opportunities for wade fishing in the Fredericksburg area. I am interested in smallmouth and bluegills and anything else that might be available.
Also, if anyone has some advice on wading friendly spots on the upper Potomac for smallmouth (I am thinking Fairfax/Loudoun Counties VA or Montgomery County MD) I would be grateful.
I am basically looking for a comfortable day trip to fish with an old buddy.
Thanks all
Rob Pallace
r...@robsnowhite.com
Jun 19, 2012, 1:42:11 PM6/19/12
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The boat ramp on va side of point of rocks has easy wading. It's the last left turn on 15 before you enter md. Fish the bridge pilings.
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flyfishgrl
Jun 19, 2012, 3:01:01 PM6/19/12
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Several years ago I fished the rappahanock from the clore brothers canoe rental location. Just park way down at the other end of the parking lot and there is a public access. Check out clore brothers web site fo a nice map of the rappahanock. The fishing was good.
Suzanne
HeaveToo
Jun 19, 2012, 5:42:45 PM6/19/12
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Rob,
If you look at the post I put up a few days ago you will see some hints.
Kelly's Ford is a descent place to fish. It gets medium to high fishing pressure (avoid weekends because the crowd is a little odd at times). Motts Run, just outside of Fredericksburg is another public put in/take out on the Rappahannock. This place also gets medium to high pressure. You can wade both of these places but you will run into places where you can't wade it any further up or down.
Falmouth Flats, the area near the Route 1 bridge, holds fish. It is a popular place, seasonally, for shad and stripers. Above the bridge you can catch smallmouth.
In the town of Rapidan, off of state Route 615, there is an access to the area near the dam there. It provides descent fishing and I have waded down about a mile from there.
The Rappahannock River is a rubble type river. Most of the riffles are the locations where old dams once where when they were building a canal system up the Rappahannock River. The rocks can be slippery and it can be tricky to wade in water if you can't see the bottom. The river is well suited for a canoe trip and there are many places to put in/take out. There are a few companies that do float trips on the river and there is a campground on the Rapphannock River as well.
I have fished this river system extensively. Here are a few flies that I tie or keep in my fly box.
Shenks White Streamer
Murray's Madtom
Yellow Poppers (yellow seems to be the best color on the Rappahannock)
Redheaded Flasher (a pattern that I created)
Hellgramite pattern
Crayfish Pattern.
Letort Hopper (tied really big) or any other hopper pattern
A lot of people suggest fishing a size 6. I tend to like to upsize to a 4 or a 2, especially with the Shenk's White Streamer and the Madtom pattern.
The smallmouth in this system love current. They also like large boulders, with deep water and current. If you find that in the mid-pool area you have found a good place to fish. If there are weed beds the edges of them will hold fish. If you are catching fall fish (creek chubs) then you should be catching smallmouth also. There are also some aggressive red-eyes and bluegills in the system.
Good luck, hope that this helps!
If you look at the post I put up a few days ago you will see some hints.
Kelly's Ford is a descent place to fish. It gets medium to high fishing pressure (avoid weekends because the crowd is a little odd at times). Motts Run, just outside of Fredericksburg is another public put in/take out on the Rappahannock. This place also gets medium to high pressure. You can wade both of these places but you will run into places where you can't wade it any further up or down.
Falmouth Flats, the area near the Route 1 bridge, holds fish. It is a popular place, seasonally, for shad and stripers. Above the bridge you can catch smallmouth.
In the town of Rapidan, off of state Route 615, there is an access to the area near the dam there. It provides descent fishing and I have waded down about a mile from there.
The Rappahannock River is a rubble type river. Most of the riffles are the locations where old dams once where when they were building a canal system up the Rappahannock River. The rocks can be slippery and it can be tricky to wade in water if you can't see the bottom. The river is well suited for a canoe trip and there are many places to put in/take out. There are a few companies that do float trips on the river and there is a campground on the Rapphannock River as well.
I have fished this river system extensively. Here are a few flies that I tie or keep in my fly box.
Shenks White Streamer
Murray's Madtom
Yellow Poppers (yellow seems to be the best color on the Rappahannock)
Redheaded Flasher (a pattern that I created)
Hellgramite pattern
Crayfish Pattern.
Letort Hopper (tied really big) or any other hopper pattern
A lot of people suggest fishing a size 6. I tend to like to upsize to a 4 or a 2, especially with the Shenk's White Streamer and the Madtom pattern.
The smallmouth in this system love current. They also like large boulders, with deep water and current. If you find that in the mid-pool area you have found a good place to fish. If there are weed beds the edges of them will hold fish. If you are catching fall fish (creek chubs) then you should be catching smallmouth also. There are also some aggressive red-eyes and bluegills in the system.
Good luck, hope that this helps!
Rob Pallace
Jun 20, 2012, 5:57:48 PM6/20/12
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Thanks Rob, I appreciate it
Rob
Rob Pallace
Jun 20, 2012, 5:58:30 PM6/20/12
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Thanks a bunch- this is very helpful!
Rob
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