Long Day Trip On The James

[Nolan_Whaley]

Decided to try and float my favorite section of the James on Sat 6/30... McCall Bridge to Kerr Access. It's a really long stretch for one day, and wow... with the low water, it's a tremendously long stretch!

My fiance caught a very nice smallmouth at the back of a pool at the upper end. Of course, this would be the one trip we don't take a camera... I'd guess about a 3lber, but very long. Easily over 20". Beautiful fish, and with the heat, i decided not to chance holding the fish long enough to get my cellphone out and fired up.

I took my fly rod, and tried a slider, and a craw pattern with very little luck. However, once i tied on an olive wooly booger, it was ON! I didn't catch any big fish, but I think i almost caught all the species i could.. Several nice smallies in the 12-14" range, several nice spotted bass, a bunch of sunfish, a rock bass, a carp, and a catfish. Couldn't manage any of the suckers, crappie or walleye...

I always spend way too much time fishing the upper end, and I don't think i've ever fished the lower couple of miles of this stretch, and saturday was no different. It was hot, tube and wooly booger caught quite a few fish where there was some water & shade, and then about a 2 hour paddle to hit the Kerr ramp at 9:30pm made for some good exercise.

Really need some rain as the water is pretty skinny. Quite a few places to get out and drag. This would be an ideal 2 day float.

[RSBreth]

Or just get it in your mind like a tourney Bass guy that every good spot gets only a few casts with a couple of fast moving lures, then you move on. If a spot is just to good to NOT have produced a fish than maybe throw a slower lure (jig, wacky-rigged stik) then move on again. Of course when I do this I'm in the solo canoe and don't have to slow down for anyone else.

At any rate - I'm happy you got out thhere and caught some fish, Ive been so busy at work it seems like Summer is passing me by.