Floating And Fishing This Weekend

[bobby b.]

I'm planning to float and fish this weekend - May 23.

Can you tell me a bit about the river conditions, where to put in and take out for about a 5 hour float.

I have a plastic canoe and an aluminum with a 2 hp motor. Which is better for the suggested area?

What is a good bait (artifical or nature) for smallmouth?

Thanks in advance for the help.

[smallmouth man]

I fished the James twice last week. Earlier this week the James was high and muddy from last weeks rain. It has cleared up and gone down some, but if it rains again like they are saying, than it with dirty back up.

I'd go w/ the boat and 2hp. but either would be ok. With the motor you can run up current and the river is deep enough for it.

Smallies love crawdads. Use plastic craws and try small grubs. Natural colors work best.

[bobw]

We are floating fro HL Kerr (Horse Creek) to Galena. It's about a 5 mile float. Good fishing on that stretch. There will be 3 canoes of us. Holler if you see us. I think we are going to start about 9 am or so. Good luck. I have caught some nice smallies on small crawdad crank baits this time of year.

[slyfox26_]

fishing is ok from kerr to galaena it will suck this weekend with as many floaters as there will b go early. put in right at daylight for best fishin and to beat the floaters

[bobw]

This will make 4 years in a row we have floated the James on Memorial day. Don't worry about the number of floaters. If you see more than a dozen canoes that will be a bunch. We do the same float about 4 times a year and it's never crowded. With the way the water has been this year you may not see that many. And with a motor you can fish the good holes as many times as you want. Good luck, and if you see 3 green canoes floating togather holler at us. We will be glad to share any info we have.

[bobby b.]

All -

Thanks for the info and advise.

I don't know which day we will go but we will look for you

Thanks again

[slyfox26_]

i would b surprised if u seen less than 30 floaters especially this weekend! i grew up on the james i float it about 20 to 30 times a year not to mention the other times i go with the motor and go up or down just fishing

[jdavis]

Floated Hootentown to the mud bank below McCall bridge this morning. We put in around 6:30 and didn't have a bite until the storm passed. We were able to pick up a few average sized smallies, but it was still slow.

There are lots of people camping on this stretch of the river and plenty of trucks at the access points. It will definitely be busy this weekend.

[slyfox26_]

mudd bank below Mccall is goff creck if u ever here somebody say goff creek u know where there talkin about