Shelvin Rock To Hootentown

[yaknar]

The water level was finally low enough to get out on the James today.Floated down from Shelvin Rock to Hootentown. Great float. There was no debris from the resent flooding in the river but there was one tree down just upstream from the Hootentown bridge and a little father up there is a tree almost all the way across the river. I caught a lot of fish on Bombers and Joe's flies. I caught the largest 4 bass on Koppers, but I was only able to take a picture of one, the rest were to shy.

[Jack Jones]

Very nice looking fish. Never fished Joe's flies and had to look them up. I would imagine that a Mepps in-line would be similar. Any color preference?

Also.....here's a really stooopid question (too much rum---see avatar, LOL): on the float between Shelvin and Hooten, is it slow enough to paddle back? Did you have a transporter waiting at the Hooten area?

Sadly, I'm solo and have no real reliable pick up person most of the time and I don't want to put in and not be able to paddle back to the put in. That's why I've tended to stay on Lake Springfield, and the Finley for now.

[smallmouthjoe]

It would be pretty tough to paddle back to Shelvin from Hootentown. You could do it but it would take some time. I like to paddle upstream from an access point, fishing it along the way, and then hit all the fishy spot again on my way back down.

Nice fish yaknar, thanks for sharing. I need to get on the James soon. Hopefully in the next week or so I can hit it.

[yaknar]

I forgot to include these two pictures. I caught this bass on this Bomber yesterday. If you enlarge the bass picture it looks a lot like the lure. Just made me smile.

[Flysmallie]

Sadly, I'm solo and have no real reliable pick up person most of the time and I don't want to put in and not be able to paddle back to the put in. That's why I've tended to stay on Lake Springfield, and the Finley for now.

Hootentown will usually shuttle your vehicle for $10. They leave it waiting in their campground.

[RSBreth]

Paddling up from Hootentown to where the Finley dumps in is an easy trip if you are good paddler - I do it in the solo with a single bladed paddle all the time - with a double blade it shouldn't be too hard. I'll echo what was said before - it's much easier to paddle up and float back than paddling up after fishing downstream.

[yaknar]

If they drive your vehicle, Hootentown charges $10 to put in at Shelvin Rock or $15 to put you in a Delaware.

[FishinCricket]

Very nice looking fish. Never fished Joe's flies and had to look them up. I would imagine that a Mepps in-line would be similar. Any color preference?

Also.....here's a really stooopid question (too much rum---see avatar, LOL): on the float between Shelvin and Hooten, is it slow enough to paddle back? Did you have a transporter waiting at the Hooten area?

Sadly, I'm solo and have no real reliable pick up person most of the time and I don't want to put in and not be able to paddle back to the put in. That's why I've tended to stay on Lake Springfield, and the Finley for now.

Due solely to your signature line (awesome quotes) I'd be willing to load my canoe and come do a James float with you, Bro... We can shuttle ourselves!!! Just say when, Sundays would work best for me... (check your private messages)