Last year, we launched the canoe from the Maryland side at Seneca Breaks. In the face of the strong current, we ground upstream for about half an hour and then fished as we drifted back to the launch point. We had a decent day but what I really wanted to do was get up to the island I could see in the distance. Launching out of the Algonkian Regional Park on the Virginia side of the river solves that problem. The boat launch is at the southern end of Topsail Island and you have the choice of fishing up either side as the river is wide  and easily fishable in either place. You can continue island hopping upstream to exploit the overhanging vegetation if you so desire. We found the Park and the boat launch without any problem.  After paying the honor fee of three dollars to launch the canoe, we headed out into the middle of the river. It was clear that August was upon us as evidenced by the dense vegetation that now carpeted the river bottom. You could see it floating gently on the top, waving in the calm current that struggled to move downstream. In addition, the river was full of silt for some reason -- it had not rained that much in the previous week -- so that remains a mystery. Both of these conditions served to destroy the day of fishing. I didn't even get a hit by a sunfish! We fished diligently around the island looking for the edge of the weed beds and the randomly distributed deep hole. Even though we fished dark-colored lures bounced on the bottom that have been historically successful, no action. We even used buzz baits pulled angrily across the top of the weed beds in an attempt to pull an enraged smallie out of one of the gaps. Shaky heads? They did not work either. There were a number of other boats on the water and, as we drifted by them, I inquired about their luck (or skill). Nobody was catching anything. On the way back to the boat launch, we had a moment of adrenaline as we saw a kayaker struggling to right his kayak in the middle of the river. We headed the canoe in that direction and got to the kayak at the same time as a guy in a nice big bass boat. He had the better angle and the more stable boat, so he reached down to assist the kayaker in righting is craft. As soon as the kayaker realized what was happening, an arm shot up with the okay sign indicating that all was well. It turns out he had a scuba gear and could breathe just fine underwater as he practiced the moves to right the kayak. An interesting bit of excitement at the end of a boring day. So, this place deserves a return visit -- perhaps earlier in the year before the vegetation takes over. While you are not allowed to wade from the Park on the Virginia side, it's just as well because that bank looked pretty deep. Over on the Maryland side, it is significantly shallower and if you walk down from Sycamore Landing, you could easily wade fish from that angle. Bottom Line: Not a good day, but not enough information to decide whether this is a bad place. Secrets Revealed?  No.  This is a very public location that is documented in the following places: Virginia VDGIF Fishing the upper Potomac River Date Fished: 8/15/2009 Tell a friend about this article by clicking on this link	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. Getting There:   I hate to do this, but I support the site by selling books.  My book on the Upper Potomac - "Wade and Shoreline Fishing the Potomac River for Smallmouth Bass" is available in both ebook format (instant download) or traditional print. This book walks the 57.3 miles upstream from the Chain Bridge in DC to Harpers Ferry, WV using words, annotated maps and over 200 pictures to provide you exact references while removing any doubt about what to expect in each section of the river.  The 230+pages include detailed directions, 42 maps, 45 tables and 208 GPS coordinates - more detail than you will see in any other fishing guidebook. You can purchase the eBook version for $9.95 by clicking on the buttons below:        To purchase the traditional print version:
Upriver from the launch	Downriver from the launch (towards Seneca Breaks)
Boat launch - honor system on fees