I know this is a NC forum but thought some of you would be interested in this trip report I posted on riversmallies.com
My two buddies and I headed to VA last weekend for some fishin, bs'ing and a little drinking! Several folks from the FF@ listserve have gotten together for the past 9 years at the Natural River CG for a gathering called BassClave. This make 7 years for me attending and this was the slowest the fishing has been.
Fished the James on Saturday from Iron Gate to Gala. River was brown and flowing from the rains Cindy left behind. We caught fish but just not the numbers we have grown use to catching. Of course we were fishing top water poppers and slider, may have done better with some tubes and cranks. But this is a flyfishing group so I was there to flyfish, and I very seldom spin fish anyway.
Fished the James on Sunday also. Floated from Narrow Passage (Cap't Jack's ramp) to Buchanan. Of course we saw more people on this stretch but still only a few during the float. We did get to see one incredible young lady in a canoe showing off for us!!
Which is always nice!! Again we landed fish, one fish in the 18" range but for the most part it was slow going. Enough of this we were heading somewhere else.
Back to camp for a quick shower, loaded our gear and headed south on 81. Got to Radford around 10 pm stopped to check the New. It was clear, well not Nolichucky clear but clear enough. A quick night's sleep at the Executive Motel in Radford and then to the water Monday monring. Floated a beautiful stretch of the New and did well. Had one fish landed over 21" and several other good solid smallies. Again all on top water poppers.
Headed into Christensburg for dinner on Monday night and decided to stay around another day for a short float on Tuesday. Figured out a float and then headed to the take out to check it out... saw a guide boat getting ready. Then off to the put in and then again another guide boat getting ready. Finally on the water and around the first bend, another guide boat. Man we were stepping all over the local guide's toes. Not sure who they were but if any of you are ready this we didn't mean to get in your way! Tried our best to stay out of their way but as a guide I know how fustrating it can be to have clients on the water and then two rafts come down drinking beer and having a good time can be. Ended up taking out around 1pm with several fish landed, only one over 16" though.
Overall it was a great trip, lots of laughs, caught some fish, explored some new water and relaxed for a few days. Now back home and my home waters are muddy and high!
So if you see a double trailer loaded with Aire rafts (one green and one purple) heading towards your put in, it's just me and my buddies checking out your favorite fishing spot!