|
Rappahannock River in Virginia
|
06-02-2006, 07:31 PM
[blush] Has anyone ever fished on the Rappahannock River in Virginia?
I am going to Remington.VA the 30th of June and would like some information about the river and the fishing there. [signature]
06-02-2006, 08:56 PM
Welcome aboard bassngal. The Rappahannock River can run high and fast at times and ultra slow at other times.
Keep an eye on the current in the river as well as clarity. The Trout in that river can be sporty. You can usually find them in the "Eddies" and under structure. There are also Bass in there but not as common to catch. The Bass are generally a structure fish to begin with but also hang around some of the high grassy areas along the banks.[cool] [signature] 
06-03-2006, 03:01 PM
I caught some catfish with cutbait and some fiesty bluegills using small jigs near Fredricksburg.
[signature]
06-04-2006, 05:03 AM
Hope this helps...
Above Fredericksburg and the tidal influence, the Rappahannock and Rapidan rivers provide excellent smallmouth bass and redbreast sunfish angling. Herring and shad run the river each spring in the tidal waters below Fredericksburg. Below the fall line, the Rappahannock also hosts white perch, largemouth bass, striped bass, crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish, and blue catfish. The Rappahannock River flows from its origin at Chester Gap in Fauquier County approximately 184 miles to the Chesapeake Bay. The first 62 miles, from the headwaters to Mayfield Bridge (Fredericksburg), are designated State Scenic River. The river has a watershed of approximately 27,896 mi², and average annual discharge (1907 – 1988) near Fredericksburg was 1,639 feet³/second. During Colonial days, the Rappahannock River was a major shipping artery for transporting tobacco, saltfish, iron ore, and grains. The watershed supports a variety of land uses; largely agricultural in the upper watershed, with manufacturing, light industrial, and retail applications throughout. Soil erosion is a problem in the upper watershed. Runoff from the major tributaries (Rapidan and Hazel Rivers) leaves the Rappahannock muddy after even minor storm events. Access to the Rappahannock system (defined here as the Rapidan and Rappahannock Rivers) is fairly limited and primitive. Established access points on the Rappahannock (traveling downstream) are at Kelly’s Ford (Route 672 off Route 651) in Culpeper County and Motts Landing (Route 618) in Spotsylvania County. About 25 miles separates these canoe/jon boat slides, and an overnight camp stop is nearly mandatory for those that float fish this reach. Another access point is located on the Rapidan River at Elys Ford (Route 610) in Spotsylvania County about 14 miles upstream of Motts Landing. Access may also be gained via several “non established” points – these consisting of VDOT right-of-ways along bridges (e.g., Route 522 on the Rapidan) many anglers choose one of the canoe liveries that have agreements with landowners and provide floats of varying length from access points not available to the general public. For more information, contact Clore Brothers (540-786-7749), Rappahannock Outdoor Education Center (540-371-5085) or Rappahannock River Campground (800-784-7235) The river is tidal below Fredericksburg, and public boat launch sites are limited to five (two in or near Fredericksburg, Hicks Landing, Port Royal and Tappahannock). The Rappahannock River’s character changes abruptly in Fredericksburg at the fall line (the limit of tidal influence). Above the fall line, the river is usually clear, swift, and dominant substrates are bedrock, boulder and cobble – perfect habitat for smallmouth bass and related species. However, below Route 1 the river is tidal, and the substrate is finer – dominated by sand, and the water is frequently murky. Species composition shifts with habitat, and largemouth bass, catfish and anadromous species are common in and below Fredericksburg. The only blockage to migratory fish on the entire river was Embrey Dam at Fredericksburg. In 2004, [url "http://www.dgif.state.va.us/FISHING/embrey_dam.html"]the dam was breached with explosives[/url] to allow migrating fish to return to upstream spawning areas. In early 2005 the remaining sections of both the 1855 crib dam and 1910 Embrey Dam were completely removed from the river. The river now flows unimpeded through Fredericksburg. Anadromous fish, including shad, herring, and lampreys, can now migrate far upriver to reach their historical spawning grounds. Striped bass are also now using the upper river to feed and grow. Stafford County has passed a resolution requesting that the closed section of river from Interstate 95 down to the former dam site be reopened to boating and the VDGIF has officially honored that request and reopened that stretch of river. Paddlers can now enjoy this restored section of natural river. Please remember to boat safely and responsibly, and to wear a personal floatation device. Blue catfish were stocked below Fredericksburg in 1974, 1975, and 1977; channel catfish in 1975, 1987. Tiger musky were stocked above the fall line in 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1985. The City of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County formed a Regional Water Authority in January 1997, and constructed a water treatment plant at Motts Reservoir. The plant became operational in 2000. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) and Virginia DEQ issued permits in 1995 to Spotsylvania County to construct a 450 acre water supply reservoir on Hunting Run, a tributary of the Rapidan River. The intake structure for this pumped-storage reservoir is located just above the confluence of Hunting Run and the Rapidan River. [signature] |
|
« Next Oldest | Next Newest »
|
