Thread: Kayak trip on the Rivanna River today

Do to a miscommunication (explained to me as I don't listen) I found myself with Sunday free to do what I wanted. And since all I like to do is go fishing it was a pretty easy thing to figure out.

I hadn't been out in my kayak at all this season, and with today being so gorgeous, my plans started coming together. I quickly loaded the kayak into the truck, grabbed yesterday's leftover minnows, rods, tackle, and a couple drinks. I decided to go to the Rivanna River of which I live about 5 minutes from the headwaters. The river was dammed a long time ago to form the Rivanna Reservoir and I put in right below the large concrete dam.

We've had a lot of rain lately so the river was a little high, but fortunately not muddy at all. In fact it was suprisingly clear. This area where I put in was rolling!


This is a shot looking downriver from the put in point - you can see it calms down right away and becomes fairly narrow but quite scenic. A little further downriver you can see the Rt. 29 bridge that crosses it.


This is a shot looking upriver to the dam that is about 200 yards away. It is bigger than it looks and water is coming over it at a good rate.


Here's my fishing boat for the day


OK, to the fishing. I wore em out today! I probably caught 25 each of crappie, various species of bluegill, and bass. I did not catch a single smallmouth which was unusual. All the fish were on the small side but it was a blast with my ultralight tackle. I didn't see a keeper crappie or bluegill all day which makes me wonder if everything is small in this section. There seemed to be plenty of fry and bugs and stuff to eat. I fed them jigs most the time but managed to use up my leftover minnows too. Amazing how some small bluegill will try to eat a minnow too big for their mouths. Caught 75% of my fish in one location - must have had just the right combination of shade, sunken trees and step bank I guess.


Another shot of the 'yak. I stopped for lunch and to stretch my back on this grassy bar. It was my turnaround point so I headed back the way I came. Even with a decent flow it is not hard at all to paddle one of these against the current.


Another view of the river. Weather was perfect. Hot enough to keep your feet over the side in the water but not miserable hot. Water is still kinda cool, too cool yet for a planned swim (I almost had an unplanned swim at one point).


A shot of the Rt. 29 bridge. I always fish the bridge hard with those pilings and the shade but don't catch a whole lot. As usual I caught a few dinks and moved on.


Anyway, a great day to be out in the 'yak on the water. I hope the rest of ya got out and had some fun today!

Alright, time to forget all the dinks & kayak cr@p. FOCUS. In 5 days we have a bash to win. That means big slabs & lots of them.

This is Beaverdam.

No waterfalls. No bridges. Plenty of wood. Lots of grass. Lots of quality fish to sort through.

Here is a 14-incher.

If memory serves, it would have won last year's B-D bash. Doodie released it and I know where it is!