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Date: July 7, 2018
Water Level: 3.0 ft
Water Temp:85
Water Clarity: Varied. 1 to 4 feet
Fishing partner: Townsend
Craig Creek (Eagle Rock) to Horseshoe Bend
Eagle Rockr.jpg
This is one of the more remote and the longest of floats on the Upper James River. At 13 miles between
the two closest public put-in/take outs at Craig Creek and Horseshoe Bend, plan to spend about 12
hours on the river if you're fishing, around 6 hours if just paddling. When the gauge at Buchanan, VA
is about 3 feet there is enough water in this section to keep you from grinding the river bottom when
going through the shallowest of rapids. The majority of the fast water here is Class 1 with a couple
of low Class 2 rapids.
Rock formation 1r.jpg
Townsend.jpg
The scenery is beautiful complete with gorges, cliffs and some of the best remains of the
James and Kanawha River Canal which was begun in 1785 and was surveyed and planned by George Washington. Okay, history lesson is over.
JKC4r.jpg
Cliff1r.jpg
JCK6r.jpg
I had my usual rigs set up. Lews baitcaster with 90 Whopper Plopper, light spin with a Yum Dinger
wacky rigged on a 1/0 weedless hook (¼ oz slip sinker) and an ultra-light spin with a 4” F9 Rapala in Brown Trout pattern. Using these I can fish the complete water column and I'm not changing out lures constantly.
Coosa HDr.jpg
Dinkr.jpg
Whopper Plopper 2.jpg
The fish were cooperative. Townsend caught 17 and my count was 27. Yea, 80% of them were
dinks (still a lot of fun on light tackle). I fished the Plopper the majority of the time. I love that
lure. Fun to fish.
Another great day on the water.
Tight lines.
Amigosr.jpg
Water Level: 3.0 ft
Water Temp:85
Water Clarity: Varied. 1 to 4 feet
Fishing partner: Townsend
Craig Creek (Eagle Rock) to Horseshoe Bend
Eagle Rockr.jpg
This is one of the more remote and the longest of floats on the Upper James River. At 13 miles between
the two closest public put-in/take outs at Craig Creek and Horseshoe Bend, plan to spend about 12
hours on the river if you're fishing, around 6 hours if just paddling. When the gauge at Buchanan, VA
is about 3 feet there is enough water in this section to keep you from grinding the river bottom when
going through the shallowest of rapids. The majority of the fast water here is Class 1 with a couple
of low Class 2 rapids.
Rock formation 1r.jpg
Townsend.jpg
The scenery is beautiful complete with gorges, cliffs and some of the best remains of the
James and Kanawha River Canal which was begun in 1785 and was surveyed and planned by George Washington. Okay, history lesson is over.
JKC4r.jpg
Cliff1r.jpg
JCK6r.jpg
I had my usual rigs set up. Lews baitcaster with 90 Whopper Plopper, light spin with a Yum Dinger
wacky rigged on a 1/0 weedless hook (¼ oz slip sinker) and an ultra-light spin with a 4” F9 Rapala in Brown Trout pattern. Using these I can fish the complete water column and I'm not changing out lures constantly.
Coosa HDr.jpg
Dinkr.jpg
Whopper Plopper 2.jpg
The fish were cooperative. Townsend caught 17 and my count was 27. Yea, 80% of them were
dinks (still a lot of fun on light tackle). I fished the Plopper the majority of the time. I love that
lure. Fun to fish.
Another great day on the water.
Tight lines.
Amigosr.jpg
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