Wade Fishing the Rapidan River of Virginia: From Smallmouth Bass to Trout

To catch fish, you need to know where to fish.

2015 edition updates regulations and deletes access points no longer usable.

The Rapidan River is an angler's dream fishable year round since the watershed includes tough, cranky smallmouth bass as well as aggressive mountain brook trout. Following the precedent set in his other CatchGuide books, Steve starts the coverage at the mouth of the Rapidan where it slams into the Rappahannock at the smallmouth bass fishing heaven known simply as "the Confluence" and ends above the old presidential retreat at Camp Hoover high in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

There are 11 reliable access points between those two locations opening up over 20 miles of water. Even though the book runs over 31,700 words that is not enough to describe the fabulous fishing on this premier river.

155 pictures, coupled with 13 maps, tell the rest of the story. Use them to put your experienced angler’s eye on the water and make your own judgment before you drive to any particular location. In the Internet age, pictures and words are not enough. The book includes 68 GPS coordinates to obtain customized directions via the Internet or put the coordinates directly into a GPS to guide your day on the water.

Beyond wade fishing, Steve discusses each access point in terms of its compatibility to launch a canoe or a kayak. Once in the water, floating anglers will be well served to use this guide to move quickly to the good spots and not waste time floating over unproductive water. The detailed coverage from Elys Ford to the Confluence is exceptionally focused and useful.