Shenandoah, North Fork

[brotekind269]

I have a new to me (1984 aluminum) 16' bass boat. Its got 55lb on the front and 40 hp on the back. Not sure the draft but it is extremely light and sits fairly high in the water. I was looking to run the outboard to keep it fresh and the closest place without restrictions is the Shenandoah. The Riverton boat landing is about 30 minutes from the house. Can that area be navigated with a boat? anybody know the depths and current? I haven't been but the section that bends under 66, is absolutely beautiful and I am pretty sure I have seen boats there.. I also know there are tons of shallow areas and boulders along the river, but if I can find a safe stretch and stay in the channel I would love to have a spot that close (even if the fishing is so-so).    

[brotekind269]

Ok, after extensive research, I think I have figured it out. I am referring to the mainstem where the north and south forks flow together. It is deep and on a completely random kayak youtube video, there were ski boats "hauling the mail" towing tubers. If anybody has any fishing info great, but I will head out there in a couple weeks and figure it out the "fun" way.  

[Nitrofreak]

I pass over that section every time I go to Lake Fredrick, I have always wanted to fish that area of the river because they say there are some beautiful small mouths through there, a friend of mine fished there once and said most of his came on a tube, green pumpkin/green flake, watermelon/ candy, rigged weightless.

Let us know how you do and congrats on the new to you ride !!

I don't know how VDGIF frequents that section but make sure you read up on rules and regs before you head out, Good luck and be safe !!!

[DCales84]

Yes you can launch out of Riverton. The water there can be very shallow during parts of the year and the ramp has had several large rocks and other items near the end of it that you need to watch for. I have a semi V hull LOWE with a 25hp tiller on it and have no issues the last few years. You just need to go slow until you learn the area. Under one of the overpasses the remains of old posts are super shallow and you need to be very cautious not to hit them. For me personally I have had much better fishing success on other parts of the river but you can do well there if you know the area. Pretty sure the max depth tops out around 20ft and there's current that you will have to deal with as well. During the summer it can be annoying as people will sometimes hot lap the area with jet ski's and ski boats. If you have a shallow riding boat and a jet motor you can go upstream a good ways and I have had better luck doing that in most cases.

[Crankinit]

Yes you can launch out of Riverton, be aware as others have said of the hazards in the water and the summer boaters.  I have had some of my best success on the river fishing the North Fork down near Willow Grove, Edinburg, and on to Mt Jackson in a canoe / kayak.  Good luck!

[brotekind269]

Thanks for the info; Nitro, DC, and Crank. I really appreciate it!! since the Shenandoah is know for wading and canoeing, I am really having a hard time finding any information about boating.

I am sure there are plenty of better places to fish ("should have been here yesterday"), I mainly need a place somewhat close to the house where I can run the outboard motor. I would hate for the motor to rot-out from lack of use. However for the electric motor, I can go 30 minutes in every direction and hit an "electric only" reservoir. I also have kayaks, which I can hit the north/south forks and Rappahannock. I am thinking about hitting Lake Anna, but that is a longer trip and the boaters down there can be just as dangerous. I am familiar with Aquia and may stick with that on the not quite as windy days (the wind never stops there).

I will be very cautious when leaving out of the ramp and when approaching overpasses, those are excellent tips. I will probably stop at each overpass and really mark the territory bank to bank, so I know without a doubt where to cross and where to avoid. I see there is a ramp at the Front Royal Golf Course upstream from the rt 66 pass. Does anybody know about this ramp? Looks like it is past the hazards mentioned.   

[Crankinit]

Not a problem!  If you do find yourself doing some wading, canoeing, kayaking, etc a shop I used to frequent, back when  I was in NOVA,  was Murray's Fly Shop down in Edinburg.  Even if you don't fly fish, you can go in there and chat with old man Murray.  He can tell you places to put in (canoe / kayak) and some of the best places to fish.  I used to split my time between flies and spinning / baitcasting and I would always stop in at his shop when I was in the area.

http://www.murraysflyshop.com/

 

Best of luck to you.

 

 

[Nitrofreak]

I wasn't much help at all but your welcome, as for Anna, she can have her moments too, there are shallow areas where you would not think shallow areas should be, some aren't even marked, get a map before you go and if you have never been, let me know where you plan on launching from and I will see if I can help put you on some fish and give you some notes on the possible hazards you may run across, by the way, your right, the pleasure boaters are there for themselves, you need to be extra cautious if you do go, usually the week isn't so bad but the weekends are a mess, especially holiday weekends.

[Phu Man]

The launch at the golf course is a good area to put in.  The course has it gated and they charge you (I think it was $20 last year) for the key.  I usually put in at Riverton, and use my trolling motor to get to the main river.  It's pretty shallow with rocks in some areas.  I have seen people running outboards (not sure if they were jet or not), I'm just not quite brave enough to do it yet.  I usually fish the area during the week and don't see much traffic, but I've been told it gets pretty busy on wekkends.