Fishing From A Canoe On The James Arm

[Hmac58]

I'd like to fish this weekend from a canoe and don't want to paddle *too* far from a put in.

Could anyone recommend a place on the James arm with some reasonable banks to fish within about 1.5 miles of a put in?

I mostly fish rivers but with the water up on TR I'm anxious to give it a go. I grew up bass fishing with my dad but haven't had much opportunity to hit lakes in the last 10 years or so.

[techo]

Pretty brave to fish out of a canoe up there. There is usually some fish right at the bridge if you put in there. You could paddle up and fish the right side of the bank thee too. I haven't been fishing that bank or docks for a while. I would think the waves of the boats wold make it less than comfortable fishing there.

You might want to head up to the 173 bridge, put in there and fish Flat Creek. It is a bit shallower until you go around the point. I would rather do that in a canoe than Cape Fair.

[Fishhand]

Hey Hmac58,

It depends on if you want to fish the "lake" meaning lots of motorized boat traffic or fish the arm of the lake which typically means less motorized boat traffic. If you are fishing from a canoe and don't have a shuttle, the best spot for the James River Arm may be 1) the access at Blunk Road or 2) the access at Walnut Springs. Depending on the flow of the James River, Blunk Road is possibly where the flow of the river peters out at the lake. You could possibly paddle up from Blunk and fish some current or paddle down and fish more "lakey" water (even though it still looks like a river). Blunk Road is just West of Galena off of Hwy 248. Blunk Road is synonymous with McCord Bend which is not a place you want to grow roots. Walnut Springs is a subdivision located off of Highway 173 and it is definitely "lakey" but not as wide as if you were to put in at Highway 76 at Cape Fair. Good fishin.

[Hmac58]

Thanks for the replies - I've fished out of a canoe around Cape Fair but I have to paddle quite a ways for some decent shoreline. I'm looking for somewhere with a little less paddling to some decent water. Although the point straight out from the ramp has produced some fish for me a few times.

Boat wake does not bother me, I've never come close to flipping - I've even fished around Cow Creek a few years back with some of the largest boats on the lake producing very large wake.

I prefer to stay in smaller areas such as around Cape Fair so I'm not exposed to lots of boat traffic and if I can pull into a cove somewhere it seems easier to deal with as well.

I will take a look at the map of those areas mentioned, thanks again!

I also get out and walk the bank when possible too, but with the water up I'd expect that might be difficult to do.

[techo]

You probably already know ......BUT go north on 173 from Cape Fair. Just before the bridge is a eating place. Take that driveway and it leads to a ramp. They rent kayaks and canoes. I know you don't need one, but that is the sign where you turn.

If you put in at the ramp and paddle across the lake, there is a stump. You will recognize on sight as the place to cast. There are some docks to the right as you face the bank. On the right side of the dock there is a big old bass hiding. Tell him I said hello and I luv him.

If you head back down lake (under the bridge) there is an old bridge under the water. They are a bit smaller, but they love the jig!

If you head back up lake around the point, there are some small mouth wanting to meet you! I hear a spinner works well there.

[Hmac58]

If you put in at the ramp and paddle across the lake, there is a stump. You will recognize on sight as the place to cast. There are some docks to the right as you face the bank. On the right side of the dock there is a big old bass hiding. Tell him I said hello and I luv him.

Haha, I will be sure to let him know! hahaha

I am familiar with this area and while I haven't fished it before it would probably be a decent area w/o much traffic.

Thanks again