I Didn't Know What It Was....At First

[yaknar]

I got out on the river this weekend hoping to catch a few. As I was floating down I saw something floating in the river. The closer I got, I realized what it was. It was surrounded by turtles that were eating it. Everybody loves beef. As for my trip, the river was low....I started out throwing my confidence crankbaits. shallow, mid, deep and almost every other crankbait in my small tackle box and caught a total of 3 fish. Thought maybe its time start a new hobby or quit until next year.. I keep repeating, find the fish and find out what they want. It all changed when I put on a Kalin paddle tail. Right away I caught 3 on about 10 cast, right up against the bank. They were "tight" up against the bank  Something bit off the tail so I put on a J tail grub and ended up having a good day. One picture show the size I was catching and two picture are of the biggest I caught for the day....Released them all, a another great day out on the river.....

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[Al Agnew]

I once flipped my canoe in a log jam that held a very ripe dead deer.  When I bailed out of the canoe, my hand went INTO the deer.  It was enough to gag a maggot.

Last spring on the Yellowstone River, there were more than 30 dead cows in the stretch below the house.  Best guess is that they waded out onto the ice when the river was frozen over during the previous winter and broke through.

[Seth Clarkson]

On 9/17/2017 at 4:12 PM, yaknar said:

I got out on the river this weekend hoping to catch a few. As I was floating down I saw something floating in the river. The closer I got, I realized what it was. It was surrounded by turtles that were eating it. Everybody loves beef. As for my trip, the river was low....I started out throwing my confidence crankbaits. shallow, mid, deep and almost every other crankbait in my small tackle box and caught a total of 3 fish. Thought maybe its time start a new hobby or quit until next year.. I keep repeating, find the fish and find out what they want. It all changed when I put on a Kalin paddle tail. Right away I caught 3 on about 10 cast, right up against the bank. They were "tight" up against the bank  Something bit off the tail so I put on a J tail grub and ended up having a good day. One picture show the size I was catching and two picture are of the biggest I caught for the day....Released them all, a another great day out on the river.....

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What part of James river did you fish? I have been wanting to get out there more often, but have a hard time lining up a pick up and drop off since buddies are usually busy when I'm available. I fished Hootentown to Mudbank a few month's back, but it was after a lot of hard rains. We moved pretty fast and I caught one 12 inch smallmouth and some panfish. Buddy caught a couple of rock bass. That was it. Water was pretty dirty. 

[Flysmallie]

James River Outfitters and Hootentown will shuttle you and your gear for a minimal amount and they are both great to deal with. 

Paddling up from an access is a good too. Lots of good water out there that is close to an access. A lot of it. 

[Seth Clarkson]

On 1/12/2018 at 9:42 AM, Flysmallie said:

James River Outfitters and Hootentown will shuttle you and your gear for a minimal amount and they are both great to deal with. 

Paddling up from an access is a good too. Lots of good water out there that is close to an access. A lot of it. 

The one time I attempted to paddle up was a mistake. Water was moving way too fast and I put in at Shelvin Rock. I didn't make it very far at all. 

 

The transporting is great, but I have to wait until after 8 or 9 if I remember right. I try to get there just before or at sunrise if I can help it. 

[yaknar]

I agree with both of you. Both outfitters are good to deal with . I use James River Outfitters when I take the grandkids floating but......when I go out,  I want to be on the river at first light, 30 min before sunrise.  The wife is my transporter so Seth if you don’t have one it might worth it to get one.......they are also good for other stuff.

[Terrierman]

6 minutes ago, yaknar said:

I agree with both of you. Both outfitters are good to deal with . I use James River Outfitters when I take the grandkids floating but......when I go out,  I want to be on the river at first light, 30 min before sunrise.  The wife is my transporter so Seth if you don’t have one it might worth it to get one.......they are also good for other stuff.

Don't listen to him. 

[Flysmallie]

There is no way my wife is going to get up early on her weekend so i can go fish. 

I’ve never had a problem paddling up. Sometimes you have to get out and drag it behind you but it’s very doable. But it would be a challenge in high water. 

You could work something out with the outfitters though. I’ve put in early at Kerr before and floated down to James River Outfitters. Then i just grab a ride back up to get my vehicle and go back to their place for my boat. I’m sure Hootontown would do the same. I remember asking Diane at Hootontown one day to shuttle me. It was in the afternoon and looked like it was going to start pouring rain any second. I asked her if I was crazy for getting on the river. She said “I don’t know, do you have cash?” LOL

If you want it bad enough you can find a way. 

 

[grizwilson]

Planning, put in at Delaware or Shelvin anytime you want.  Arrange to have Hootentown shuttle or have your wife or whomever meet you there, buy supper at River Smokin, good homemade eats, for them it is all good, pleasant experience for all.  

g

[yaknar]

Or you could......

Get up real, real early

Load your bike and kayak in your truck

Chain your kayak to a tree at your put-in

Drive to your take out, park your truck, and ride your bike back to your put-in

Put your bike in your kayak and float down the river.

But with all the hills you will probably be to tried to fish and your lures will smell like Bengay cream....

Or your could just float down to JRO or Hootontown and have them take you back to your truck, what grizwilson said