"A primitive and steep access point is available along the Department’s Raccoon Ford property downstream of Route 522 along Route 611 (right-hand bank). Access may also be gained via several “non established” points - these consisting of VDOT rights-of-ways along bridges (e.g., Routes 3 and 522 on the Rapidan and Route 29 on the Rappahannock)." - 2008 Rappahannock River Non-Tidal River Biologist Report Okay -- where the heck is that primitive access site? Everybody knows about Ely's Ford, but unless you have dug around on the VDGIF site, you would not be aware that there is another official access point on the Rapidan River.  I set out on an expedition to discover that location a few weeks ago, was successful, and returned to fish it with Lon and his son. While the directions above clearly mark the access point as being on Route 611, you would have to be very alert to find it. I drove by it several times until I realized that the tree clogged, small dirt "driveway" off the north side of the road actually led to this public spot. There is room to park two trucks and that's it. You know you're in the right spot because there is a VDGIF sign there that cautions that use of the location is limited to canoeists and anglers. There's a steep trail that leads down to the river that would make it sporty to launch a canoe or kayak here. You would need to manhandle it down a twisting, short steep trail -- I imagine the technique would be to just push your boat in front of you and let it crash into the water. From a fishing perspective, this is actually a fairly good spot only if you go upstream! At the entry point, there is a deep pool that can be productive. Downstream, the river holds the typical nonproductive sandy bottom populated by a vibrant collection of sunfish. I fished downstream for about a mile hoping for improvements that never materialized. Given my comments on the Raccoon Ford access point number two, the downstream stream section must be influenced by the remnants of the old dam that backed up the water and created the silted mess that I described in that post. When I looked at the satellite view of the downstream section of river later, it confirmed that there was no structure here that would be interesting -- you can even see the sandy bottom at the highest resolution on the satellite view. As a side note, I have found that the Google satellite pictures have been an invaluable reference in identifying good places to fish. I will write an article in the near future on doing satellite recon's. After wasting an hour fishing downstream, I slogged my way back to the start point to fish upstream behind Lon. They had been consistent in picking up decent size smallmouth as they moved upstream. When you get there, it will be clear why. There is more rocky structure and faster water in this section. Lon's 12-year-old son, Sean (a fly fishing machine), was killing them on small poppers twitched along the shore. In fact, he caught the biggest fish of the day as you can see from the picture below -- a largemouth bass that was lurking in some of the slower water at a bend in the river. We fished upstream for about a half-mile until we rounded the corner and saw the big flat stretch that leads up to route 522 in front of us. That will be the subject of a different post as we fished it at a different time. Bottom Line: The more I fish the Rapidan, the more it becomes a complex river to identify the good spots. Certainly making the wrong decision in going up or downstream can impact your day significantly in many of these locations. In the Raccoon Ford access #2 post, I initially went upstream and discovered the lousy, silted, muddy mess while Lon turned downstream and picked up good smallies in a rocky run immediately adjacent to the road. At this location, the reverse was true. Upstream was better than down. I guess it just goes to point out the value of this site in keeping you from wasting your valuable fishing time moving in a nonproductive direction. Would I go back to this spot? Probably not as there are other places that are better on the Rapidan -- but it would be an option depending on the situation. Getting There: From US 29 near Culpeper, take US 522 / VA 3 exit towards Culpeper.  Turn left onto 15.  Turn right onto 522. (in other words, take 29 to 522 and stay on it).  From 522, turn left onto Raccoon Ford Rd (VA 611).  Follow Raccoon Ford Road for approximately 1.5 miles and look for the small opening in the dense woods on the river side that leads to the parking area.	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) Google Local Coordinates: 38.35564,-77.955186 Secrets Revealed?  No.  This is a public location that is documented in on Virginia VDGIF if you look Date Fished: 07/24/2009 Tell a friend about this article by clicking on this link
Upstream from the access point	Downstream from the access point
Looking downstream from above the access point.  Access point in the distance - you can see more structure here.	Downstream sandy area
Sean with his beast of a bass	Turnaround point.  The flat water up to 522 starts here