Virginia Archives

Sadly, I had to take this book off the market. Private property owners shut down access to the Rapidan at the end of Richards Ferry Road. Tragic! It only required allowing folks to cross around 30 yards in a remote corner they owned to get to the public property. Since fishing the Confluence was the …

Rapidan / Staunton River Fishing Locations Read More »

Rose River

South River

White Oak Canyon / Cedar Run

Rockbridge

Rockingham

Beaver Creek

Dry River (to include Skidmore Fork)

Mossy Creek

Smyth

Shenandoah

Peters Mill

Passage Creek

Big and Little Stony

Dry River Overview

Here is the overview of the Dry River I wrote for the NVTU

Fairfax

Patrick

Highland

Prince William

Chopawamsic Creek (Quantico)

Henry

Smith River

Big Wilson Creek

Grayson

Frederick

Paddy Run

Crooked Creek

Carroll

Botetourt

Jackson River

CAUTION – Unresolved Kings Grant Issues! It seems like every landowner on the Jackson below the dam is arguing for a claim of ownership. Until this is all sorted out, I strongly recommend you avoid that section of the river. Fish in Hidden Valley only.

Back Creek

Bath

Amherst

Pedlar River

Augusta

Alleghany

South River

Trout – Lower Rapidan (VA – Graves Mill)

After fishing the Staunton River, I had a little extra time so I thought I would wander up the lower section of the Rapidan to see how it had changed since the last time I visited. Even after the fairly dry summer, there was a decent amount of water still tumbling down the gentle slope that …

Trout – Lower Rapidan (VA – Graves Mill) Read More »

Trout Hike – Staunton River (VA)

I am starting to become anxious with the cold weather and looking back with longing at some of my last trout hikes of the fall. In preparation for my upcoming move to Wilmington, NC I’m making an effort to revisit my favorite places before Virginia becomes a long trip with a special purpose. One of …

Trout Hike – Staunton River (VA) Read More »

Trout – South River (VA – Special Reg West Lot – Updated)

After the great experience on the east lot, this was a let down…

Trout – South River (VA – Special Reg East Lot)

I can’t believe I have ignored this section for so long…

Trout – Conway River (VA – Middle Section)

Always pleasant, easy walking path, good looking water.

Trout – Mossy Creek (VA – West Section)

The western section of Mossy is easy walking… like a park

Trout – Mossy Creek (VA – Middle Section)

The middle section of Mossy produces!

Trout – Mossy Creek (VA – East Section)

First of a three part series on this trophy trout water.

Trout – Rose River (VA – Lower SNP Access)

It’s hard to believe, but the last time I fished the middle part of the Rose River was back in June, 2006. I have vague memories of being pretty tired at the end of that experience (see previous posting). This time, six years later and six years older, the Rose River was no gentler! However, …

Trout – Rose River (VA – Lower SNP Access) Read More »

Trout – Staunton River (VA – Lower Rapidan Feeder)

With my impending move to Wilmington, NC next year sometime, I feel like I am on a “farewell tour.” I’m anxious to get around to all the good spots this fall and next spring before my focus shifts to a new venue. It had been over a year since I fished the Staunton and I …

Trout – Staunton River (VA – Lower Rapidan Feeder) Read More »

Trout – Quantico (VA – Secon Pool Downstream)

Trout fishing is closed at Quantico now, so file this one for next seaso

Trout – Secon Pool (VA – Quantico)

Reserved for 12 an under, it’s an easy place to start a kid fishing.

Trout – Quantico Meat Hunting (VA)

The trout stream closes on May 19. It’s still loaded with fish.

Snakehead – Chopawamsic Bay (VA)

A mounted attack fails.. but… this water looks promising.

Snakehead – Chopawamsic Creek – Bank Attack

My first effort ends in failure.

Trout – Rose River (VA – Lower Boundary)

ressured close to parking? Surprisingly… no!

Trout – Passage Creek (VA – Delayed Harvest Section)

Low water reveals an interesting streambed profile

Trout – Paddy Run (VA – Brookie Section)

The stream, beyond the stocked section, looks good.

Trout – Paddy Run (VA – Upper Entrance)

The upper section of Paddy Run is as pleasant as the lower.

Trout – Hazel River (VA – Upper Section)

A 7.4 round trip mile hike with total vertical gain of 1,600 feet leads to….

Rapidan (Camp Hoover – Laurel)

All the details are in my book, but I felt like I needed to put up a posting about something in the Blue Ridge as the water begins to heat up in late February. If you’re going to fish the Rapidan, the area above Camp Hoover is essentially a waste of time.