Last year, I was doing an extensive reconnaissance of Rapidan River to locate all the possible fishing points in preparation for writing my next book. I knew from the fisheries site that VDOT had an easement at every bridge crossing. So it took me by surprise when I pulled up to the Rapidan dam in the small town of Rapidan and discovered a huge "no fishing" sign painted on one of the bridge pilings supporting the road. Always cautious, I decided discretion was the better part and did not fish there on that particular day. Instead I called the number to find out why they had posted river. It turns out the number connects you to the company that owns the land on either side of the bridge. While they ignore the fact that there is an easement, they make it easy for you to fish. All I had to do was fax in a form with a prepaid return mailer to obtain a fishing pass. Therefore, there is no barrier to fishing in this particular location. Just be sure you get pass before you show up  Heads up... I have a discussion going with the VDGIF over streambed rights.  In Virginia, the state owns the bed on navigable rivers unless there is a prior grant.  I have questions in to the VDGIF folks about the extent of the navigable portion of the Rapidan... so the "no fishing" restriction may be correct. Since I had the pass, I returned this year in late April in search of early season smallmouth. I parked on the west side of the bridge at the small, two truck parking lot and followed the well beaten path down to the bridge. I took a quick temperature to understand whether I would have any luck and was pleasantly surprised to see that the water had warmed up to 62°. Smallie summer starts at 60° so I was optimistic that I would be able to catch some decent fish. Immediately downstream of the bridge, the river bottom looks good. It's a mix of rocks and boulders with the minimum amount of sand except on the eastern side. On that side, a sand bar extends down the entire bank. As I waded into the flow, I discovered that the deeper section was on river left. Even though it was late April, I tied on a small size 6 popper and began to work it in the warmer water near the shore. In short order, I picked up my first smallie of the season!. He was a nice 12 incher and put up a fight that was a pleasant change from the little brookies in the upper Rapidan. I continued to fish my way downstream using the popper and when action died out on it, I switched to a streamer pattern. I began to throw the streamer into the center of the river in a quartering fashion and then twitch back. I did not get any action to the center so I turned my attention back to the shoreline and tied on a small size 12 attractor. They liked it! I picked up two smallies and a few more sunfish. Once you get beyond the houses on river left, the river abandons its rocky characteristic and switches to a sandy desert. That continues all the way down to the gradient break -- the small rapids -- that you can see in the distance Bottom line: It's free, so you may as well get a permit since there seems to be a decent population of smallies Getting There: From Orange, VA, leave the town on US 15 north. Turn right onto Rt 700.  Turn left onto Rt 673 and follow it to the river.  From Culpeper, take US 522 south.  Turn right onto Rt 673 and follow it to the river. Google Local Coordinates: 38.310615,-78.066273	Pressure Trout Size N/A Physical Fitness Bass Size Access Regulations Hard to Find Stocking Scenery Overall Remember to refer to my rating explanations - these are based on what I look for - so RED for Physical Fitness translates to easy physically - you do not need to be in shape to fish this section.  I prefer terrain that is tough to get into and out of. Purchase Switchfisher's books using the links to Amazon below for: Wade Fishing the Rappahannock River of Virginia (more info) Wade Fishing the Rapidan River of Virginia (more info) Wade and Shoreline Fishing the Potomac River for Smallmouth Bass (more info) Trout and Smallmouth Fishing on the North Branch of the Potomac (more info) Secrets Revealed?  No.  This is a very public location that is documented on the Virginia VDGIF website. Date Fished: 4/30/2010 Tell a friend about this article by clicking on this link
Upstream to the dam	Downstream - deep area on left
Deep bank continues next to the homes	View back to the dam from the start of the sandy section
Around the bend, the river bottom changes to rocky	Good looking water downstream