Float this Weekend, Delaware to Shelvin, or Shelvin to Hootentown?

[Seth Clarkson]

Well the guys I were going with had to back out, so i'll be going solo, but do have a transport back up. I think I will put in somewhere lower down the river so my transport doesn't have to drive as far as well as I have floated that section before, so I know what to expect for the most part. Hopefully water will be a little higher as well. 

[Flysmallie]

One time through any section of the river does not usually reflect its potential in producing a quality fish. There are good smallmouth all over the James. But they aren't easy. 

 

[Seth Clarkson]

I ended up floating solo from Hootentown to  just be for ethe McCall bridge.

Had a nice wake up call about midway through when the nose of my yak got stuck in a shallow riffle. Decide to try and shimmy off the bigger rock in front of me and it didn't go so well. Ended up having the back end continue to get pushed by current enough that it tipped me over. No real danger where I was, but I was barefoot at the time and lost a shoe, lost ugly stick combo, the other half my paddle (was using it split to try and push off the rock), a floating ruler, cooler and my tackle box. Was a couple of riddles close together with a deeper hole in between. Was able to grab my cooler but the tackle box, ruler and half a paddle got away from me. I was lucky to find the tackle box had got stuck on the bank a couple turns down  and I dumped the water out and it should all be good for the most part. I may have been able to find the other half my paddle and my ugly stick combo if u fought the current and took the time, but I was hoping to catch up to my tackle box and ruler. 

Just a reminder to everyone to strap down what you can, especially your phone, since I was by myself it could've been a lot worse. Also don't overlook currie t even if it's only inches deep as If I had lost my whole paddle or gotten a leg pinned or something it could have been much worse. Ended up calling my pickup and had them come get me rather than go to Marble ground liked is planned. 

I did end up catching 1 nice 15 inch smallmouth before I dumped. 

If anyone finds half of a no limits kayak paddle, a lime green fishing online tournament ruler or an ugly stick Shakespeare micro lite please let me know. 

[snagged in outlet 3]

Glad you're safe. 

[vonreed]

If I knew the exact hole of deep water, I could probably find the stuff that sunk.  I spend a lot of my summer water metal detecting at tip over points on the rivers around here.  Looking for all kinds of goodies.  The half paddle sucks cause you and the person who find the other half will neither be able to use it.

[Seth Clarkson]

 

1 hour ago, vonreed said:

If I knew the exact hole of deep water, I could probably find the stuff that sunk.  I spend a lot of my summer water metal detecting at tip over points on the rivers around here.  Looking for all kinds of goodies.  The half paddle sucks cause you and the person who find the other half will neither be able to use it.

The pole shouldn't be all that deep. I was more concerned about tying to cat h my tackle box as it was floating away. Got lucky and got it, but with half a paddle and a little bit of shock I didn't try to get back up river to get the pole. I assumed I'd see the other half the paddle along the bank by the Ripple, but I didn't. The bridge in the pictures is McCall bridge. If you happen to find my ugly stick, the paddle or a bright green floating ruler let me know. 

Thanks! 

[vonreed]

Thanks, I know that exact hole.  I've caught lots of coon right there on that steep bank where the water runs into that bank.