Paddling the C&O canal ?

[Slackdaddy]

My son plans on putting in at Lock #23 (Violett's lock) at old dam #2, and drifting down through the rock garden, then pulling out and up to the canal and paddling the canal back to lock 23,,
Is that feasible?

[Big Mike]

Yes, when I lived in DC I’d put in at Pennyfield, paddle upstream to the bottom of the breaks and drag my canoe down the slope from the canal. I actually preferred that over floating through the breaks as it allowed me to fish the backside of the rapids and deeper holes that are below the breaks. There is also a nice deep trench across the river where the gas line was installed. To take out you paddle up the side creek, under the canal to a nice takeout just past the tunnel. Of course you can do what he wants as well.

[Red_Beard]

Yes, when I lived in DC I’d put in at Pennyfield, paddle upstream to the bottom of the breaks and drag my canoe down the slope from the canal. I actually preferred that over floating through the breaks as it allowed me to fish the backside of the rapids and deeper holes that are below the breaks. There is also a nice deep trench across the river where the gas line was installed. To take out you paddle up the side creek, under the canal to a nice takeout just past the tunnel. Of course you can do what he wants as well.

Paddling up from Pennyfield is a great idea earlier in the year, but I will warn you that the river grass was super thick between Pennyfield and Dam 2 a month ago and that was with the river about a foot higher. Paddling through that now will be next to impossible. Floating through the rock garden at these water level may also be challenging, but should be doable.

[Slackdaddy]

Paddling up from Pennyfield is a great idea earlier in the year, but I will warn you that the river grass was super thick between Pennyfield and Dam 2 a month ago and that was with the river about a foot higher. Paddling through that now will be next to impossible. Floating through the rock garden at these water level may also be challenging, but should be doable.

They did make the run down from Violett's through the rock garden,, Then back to Violett's via the Canal. (Warning: this trip is a young mans game, in lighter kayaks)
Launched late at 6:00 AM,, they each caught 3-5 SMB in the firsts hour,, but once the sun was up it was off, they fished till noon
Low, Clear water and supper sunny skys equals no bite.

[Red_Beard]

I have been able to find success when in those conditions you describe, but it is challenging and you have to target the right spots. In those high sun, low water, clear conditions, I look for rock ledges and boulders in the middle of the river with steep sides that cast shade. The smallmouth will hug to that shade. Drop a Ned rig or a jig on top of the rocky structure, then drag it off so it falls into the shade, and they will usually bite if they are there. That's about the only way I can find success in those conditions though.

[Slackdaddy]

I have been able to find success when in those conditions you describe, but it is challenging and you have to target the right spots. In those high sun, low water, clear conditions, I look for rock ledges and boulders in the middle of the river with steep sides that cast shade. The smallmouth will hug to that shade. Drop a Ned rig or a jig on top of the rocky structure, then drag it off so it falls into the shade, and they will usually bite if they are there. That's about the only way I can find success in those conditions though.

Yeah, those conditions are tough and not conducive to my style of fishing. I love top water 1st,, and a jighead or crank a distant 2nd.. Not much on the slow float presentation.
They did not get on the water till 8:00AM,,, I will only fish those conditions 5-7am