James River -- Report

[Bill Butts]

My buddy John talked me into hitting the lower James at McCord's Bend access yesterday.

We arrived about 330 to find about 10 cars on the gravel bar with mostly bank fishermen. The water looked great, very clear, and 66 degrees.

Lots of nice Whites mostly in spawning groups doing or getting ready to do their thing. This is very cool to watch, but only frustrating to try to catch.

In 3 hours, John caught 3 nice ones and I managed only one. Pretty humbling considering we are still smitten with Striper Fever and used to catching a lot more and bigger fish. But, as they say, that's why it's called fishing and not catching.

Reports from friends the past two days have yielded similar results from folks I consider very skilled white bass fishermen.

Additionally, we observed the ravines along 176 just full of dogwood trees that are beginning to open up (have that greenish tint). So, whatever your beliefs are about the timing of the peak of the white bass run and blooming dogwoods, there's an update.

I also heard from some guys in a boat and along the bank that their observations indicated few if any whites up to Rollie Blunk access, yet.

That is a little hard to believe, but that's what they said.

No doubt, we've got lots of great fishing ahead of us.

[jdavis]

Where do you access the river at McCord's Bend? I went down after dark last night and couldn't find anywhere to get to the river. I went to Rollie Blunk afterwards. Not much going on there but it was after 10pm by then.

[Steve Smith]

I don't remember the street names but stay on the paved road into McCords. After you take a hard left hand curve, watch for a hand painted sign that says "Boat Ramp". Turn right there. The cost is $2.00 a car. To get on the gravel bar, drive down the boat ramp, and right at the bottom. Make sure you stay on gravel and out of the sand or you'll seriously need a wrecker.