Life Outside Spring 2018 - 31

Trip III: Claytor Lake Dam to Bissett Park in Pulaski
and Montgomery counties
Floating: Ideal for novice paddlers informs

Cundiff; trip features an easy Class II, numerous
riffles.
Fishing: Britt Stoudenmire raves about the annual
cicada "bite" when the smallmouths go on a feeding
frenzy on this section. Muskie action near water
willow beds makes for heart stopping moments.
Aesthetics: Cundiff says the numerous islands
create plenty of photo ops. One of the easiest
shuttles on the New - just 20 or so minutes.
Bonus: Leigh Stoudenmire says The Palisades
Restaurant in Eggleston "provides excellent farm to
table meals with a relaxed and friendly ambience."
thepallisadesrestaurant.com, 540-626-2828.
MAIN STEM OF SHENANDOAH
Trip I: Morgan's Ford to Berry's Ferry (11 miles) in
Warren and Clark counties
Floating: Herschel Finch, an avid paddler from

Front Royal, says this is the best float on the Virginia
Main Stem for those who relish swift water. Two
Class IIs, several Is, and numerous riffles mark the
excursion. Swift Shoals, a Class II that occurs near
the end, is probably the major drop; run it down

the middle. Also, for those who prefer a shorter
float, a new ramp exists at Howellsville, 6½ miles
into the trip.
Fishing: Finch says the Morgan's Ford float
features excellent rock cover and undercut ledges for
walleyes in the spring and bronzebacks throughout
the year.
Aesthetics: Pre-Colonial fish weirs, which are
upside down V-shaped rock structures designed by
Indians to channel fish toward them, are common
here, reveals Finch. Also, whoever named the islands
possessed a literary bent. Treasure Island occurs on
the first half of the getaway and Robinson Crusoe
Island appears near the end.
Bonus: For quality dining, Finch recommends
Houlihan's Restaurant in Front Royal - "uncrowded,
quiet, with excellent food and attentive wait staff."
540-631-3050.
Trip II: Berry's Ferry to Lockes (10 miles) in Clarke
County
Floating: The second half of this float contains the

only Class II; run it on far river left. An abundance
of Class Is and riffles make this junket ideal for
folks more interested in sightseeing, birding, and
picture taking than whitewater thrills.
Fishing: Finch says the almost non-ending "ledgepool-ledge-pool combination" makes the Berry's
Ferry float ideal for anglers.
Aesthetics: The Main Stem float that is most
likely for paddlers to behold bald eagles says Finch.
Bonus: The Woodward House B&B in Front
Royal is a popular place for river goers to stay.
Ask for Joan's French toast. acountryhome.com,
540-635-7011.
MAURY RIVER
Trip I: Beans Bottom to East Lexington Town Park
(2 ½ miles) in Rockbridge County
Floating: Tim Wimer, a school teacher from

GREAT GORGE
The view is of the James
River Face Wilderness in the
Glasgow-to-Snowden float.
ALONG THE NEW
The Ripplemead-to-Bluff City
float offers some of the best
scenery on the upper New
River.

Roanoke, describes the Maury as the most beautiful
river in the state and says this is his favorite float.
"The Beans Bottom is a great trip for beginners -
no major rapids, slow water, short, and it ends in
downtown Lexington," he says. "The last mile or
so is like paddling across a lake."
Fishing: Wimer relates that this junket is not
known for its big smallmouths, but it does host
large numbers of bass, rock bass, and redbreast
sunfish - again ideal for someone new to floating
state streams.
Aesthetics: Sublime mountain views at the
beginning of the excursion, plus a nice blend of
forests and fields informs the school teacher.
Bonus: Any B&B that has been in business since
1985 and operated by the same couple, John and
Ellen Roberts, is worth a visit. John says the couple's
custom omelets (guests can have their choice of
LifeOutsideMag.com // Spring 2018

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Life Outside Spring 2018

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