Life Outside Spring 2018 - 33

JAMES RIVER
Trip I: Glasgow to Snowden (5 ½ miles) in Rockbridge,
Bedford, and Amherst counties
Floating: James Revercomb, co-owner of Roanoke

Mountain Adventures, proclaims that this excursion
is one of Virginia's premier ones for whitewater
devotees. The Class III-IV Balcony Falls is the most
challenging rapid on the upper James. You'll hear the
roar of Balcony long before you see it. The best path
through Balcony is a chute to the left of a partially
submerged rock in the rapid's middle. Portage on river
right. The Class II Little Balcony lies just upstream,
and numerous other Class Is and IIs exist as well.
Fishing: Revercomb says this float is one of the
best on the James for smallmouths. Because of all the
whitewater, fishing pressure is light. Float fishermen
should be at least intermediate paddlers and also willing
to portage rapids like Balcony and Little Balcony.
Aesthetics: The Glasgow float lies in the James
River Face Wilderness. Numerous campsites exist on
river right in the George Washington and Jefferson
National Forests.
Bonus: Besides the outstanding paddling and
fishing, this excursion offers marvelous bird
watching. Bald eagles and red-tailed and redshouldered hawks make up a part of the raptor
contingent, and numerous species of warblers and
vireos are present in the wooded mountainside.
roanokemountainadventures.com, 540-525-8295
Trip II: Glen Wilton to Gala (7 miles) in Botetourt County
Floating: Revercomb rates this float as outstanding

for intermediate paddlers. The only dangerous rapid
is the Class II-plus Squeeze which occurs several miles

into the junket. Nowhere on the entire James is the
river so narrow, thus the Squeeze name. The result is
a strong current that forces boats toward a rocky bank
and under a low hanging tree. Portage on river right.
Fishing: Revercomb says this is another
outstanding trip for smallmouths; outside bends,
rocky substrates, and boulder filled pools combine
to produce superior habitat.
Aesthetics: An old railroad bridge crosses the
James below the Squeeze, offering fetching photo ops.
Bonus: Douthat State Park is just a half hour from
the put-in. dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/douthat,
540-862-8100.
Trip III: Scotts Mill Dam to Six-Mile Bridge (6 miles)
in Amherst and Campbell counties
Floating: Doug Lane, owner of Angler's Lane in

Forest, recommends this getaway which begins in
downtown Lynchburg. Ideal for beginners and families,
paddlers will encounter riffles and a sole Class I.
Fishing: Float is known for its islands. Good fishing
around the Percival's and Feagan's land masses.
Aesthetics: Although the trip begins in Lynchburg,
paddle a half hour or so, and you'll feel that you're
well out in the country.
Bonus: The Carriage House B&B is near the putin, and Kathy and Michael Bedsworth's gourmet
breakfasts will fortify you for a day on the water. "A
real favorite is our blueberry lemon, ricotta pancake
soufflé," says Michael. anglerslane.com, 434-3850200; carriagehouseinnband.com, 434-846-1388
Bruce Ingram is the author of books on all these rivers;
for more info, contact him at bruceingramoutdoors@
gmail.com.

CALM CASTING (TOP)
The fly fishing for smallmouths can be good near the
Eggleston access point on the
New River.
THE CATCH
Streamers are a favorite
pattern for fly fishermen on
Virginia's rivers.

LifeOutsideMag.com // Spring 2018

http://dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/douthat http://www.roanokemountainadventures.com http://www.anglerslane.com http://www.carriagehouseinnband.com http://www.LifeOutsideMag.com

Life Outside Spring 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Life Outside Spring 2018