Fishing at Rockcliffe Farm Retreat is great. The fish abundant, the types of river terrain vary, the water clarity excellent much of the year, and access is good. First time fishermen or pro will find plenty of excitement. If you have never fished before, a summer day on the James will hook you for a lifetime of fun.

Common local fish are: Small- and largemouth bass, catfish (flathead, blue, channel, and yellow), shad, carp, gar, pickerel, perch, and various sunfish.

River access is via our beautiful forest road, ending at our spacious, inviting camping/picnic area. You may wade out into the river, which can be walked across except when the level is up. The bottom is rocky, with abundant structure, logs, and vegetation for hiding your prey.		  
 
 


 

Many varied rock formations create shallow (a few inches), quick runs with hideout eddies, and deep (27 feet), slow holes, providing both streamlike fishing with flies or spinners, or deeper structured lake-like fishing for the flatheads (35+ pounds) and that hide-out record smallmouth.

Guests often snorkel to find the hideouts in the clear, warm, summer waters, or take a timeout at "Jacuzzi Falls" after a tough day of landing smallmouths.

Winter fishing... For the very hearty, dedicated, patient fisherman! As the temperature drops, so generally do the fish. Into slow deep holes and channels.
Big cats and senior bass are caught, but at a snail's pace.

  
 
 

You can also fish from canoe (we have 8), putting in at our place or upstream and floating down. We offer 4 possibilities:

1. Put in at our place.

2. Put in upstream, above the big bend in the James River that Walker's Ford Road juts out into. Paddling to our place takes 1.5 hours, or take your time and take 4 hours... we have!

3. Put in at our place and float down to Bent Creek, 3-5 hours

4. Put in at Joshua Falls in Lynchburg and spend the day floating
down to us (5-8+ hours)

Our section of the river is near Pettyjohn Island, and is described in the James River Guide, by Bruce Ingram.

If you decide you'd like some lake fishing too, Holliday Lake State Park is 25 minutes away, with is crappie, bluegill, pickerel, walleyed pike, small and largemouth bass, and a couple of varieties of catfish.

Please note: a valid VA fishing license is required to fish at Rockcliffe Farm Retreat. A fishing license can be purchased and printed by visiting the VA Department of Game and Inland Fishery's website, or by visiting several retail locations located near Rockcliffe Farm or anywhere in the State of Virginia, such as Wal-Mart, Dick's Sporting Goods, etc.

For even more fun, check out Nearby Attractions.