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"What's the best season to be on the river"

CANOEING * TUBING * FISHING

All Trips End Where Your Car Is Parked
In other words, you park at our check-in location. We transport you and your gear up river to your requested put-in. You paddle back to Clore Bros. Outfitters (where your car is parked), jump in your car and you're homeward bound.
No waiting to be picked up or simply being forgotten.

TRIP DESCRIPTIONS TAKEN FROM "VIRGINIA WHITE WATER"
By ROGER CORBETT

REMINGTON
REMINGTON TO KELLY'S FORD BRIDGE

GRADIENT CLASS/DIFFICULTY DISTANCE TIME WIDTH SCENERY
10 1-2-3 5 Mi. 1.5 Hr. 80-120 Good
TRIP DESCRIPTION: The Rappahannock between Remington and Kelly's Ford Bridge is one of the most popular canoe trips in the Old Dominion. It is convenient to Washington, Richmond and Charlottsville, it usually holds water throughout the year, and offers a challenge to both the whitewater canoeist and the float fishermen. It is a fairly short trip that includes flat water and white water, good flshing spots and good swimming holes, ruins of an old canal and ruins of a large dam; (1) the remains of the old canal dam just below the railroad bridge; (2) the first rifffles at the start of the rapids, the rifffles being the remains of Wheatley's Dam and locks; (3) steady rock garden rapids (Class 1-2) for 1/2 mile; (4) a broken ledge rapid (Class 3) formed by big rocks (Sandy Beach Rapid); (5) small ledges and rock garden rapids (Class 1-2) to the takeout, about one mile. The last 2 miles of white water more than compensates for the first 3 miles of flat water

The water is clear (except when high) and unpolluted, the bottom is course sand, the banks are moderately high and tree lined, the terrain is open and flat farmland. The trace of I 1/2 mile long canal can be seen on the left (North, bank just upstream of the takeout bridge. HAZARDS: None

KELLY'S FORD
KELLY'S FORD BRIDGE TO MOTTS RUN LANDING (CLORE BROS)

GRADIENT CLASS/DIFFICULTY DISTANCE TIME WIDTH SCENERY
6 1-2-3 24 Mi. 10 Hr. 80-120 Good
TRIP DESCRIPTION: It is 16 miles from Kelly's Ford Bridge to the Rapidan River and 8.5 miles from the Rapidan River junction to Motts' Run Landing (Clore Bros) . Definitely an overnight canoe trip. Once the trip is started at the Kelly's Ford Bridge, there are no bridges or public landings until one arrives at the Motts Run Landing. There are very few houses that can be seen from the river and there are few signs of civilization in this section. Be prepared to go the entire distance once you start, unless you know the area real well. There are numerous remote spots for camping along the river, but they are on private property, so do not abuse the property.

The Rappahannok is a beautiful river, and this is a beautiful section. It begins with light riffles below the put-in and it continues with occasional rock garden rapids (Class 1-2). There are numerous sand bars and occasional rock formations that are ideal for lunch stops and swim calls. Many of the rapids are the remains of old canal dams, which were built at intervals of two miles or less. There are the remains of old locks and bypass canals at many of these dams, and there are fords below most of the old dam sites. The rapids/riffles, the sandy bottom, the clear, clear water, the remoteness of the area, and the absence of litter make this an ideal float trip. There is a 1/2 mile rock garden rapid (Class 2) just before the Rappahannock River joins the Rapidan River. There is a 1/2 mile rock garden rapid (Class 2) just below the confluence; this rapid is the remains of the Rapidan Dam, part of the canal system, and it was the largest dam in the entire system. On the right bank, there is the bypass canal that has stone locks, the entrance to a gold mine (U.S. Mine), and stone walls. About three miles below the Rapidan, there is a Class 2 rapid that is the remains of Ballard's Dam. HAZARDS: None.

GERMANNA BRIDGE
GERMANNA FORD (BRIDGE) TO ELEY'S FORD (RTE. 620)

GRADIENT CLASS/DIFFICULTY DISTANCE TIME WIDTH SCENERY
3 A 8 3.5 60-80 Good
TRIP DESCRIPTION: This section is quite flat, the current is quite slow, the river banks are quite high, and water is a noticeable yellow color. There are very few signs of rapids, and the riffles, what few there are, are mostly the gravel bar type. The terrain is open farmland, but it is hard to see because of the high banks and the trees along the side of the stream. This section of the Rapidan are not whitewater trips. HAZARDS: None

ELEY'S FORD
ELEY'S FORD (BRIDGE) TO MOTTS RUN LANDING (CLORE BROS)

GRADIENT CLASS/DIFFICULTY DISTANCE TIME WIDTH SCENERY
11 1-2 14 Mi. 5 Hr. 60-90 Good
TRIP DESCRIPTION: Below Eley's Bridge, the Rapidan has an increased gradient and is more interesting to whitewater paddler and the serious float fisherman. It has one good ledge about three miles below Eley's Ford Bridge, following two small rapids, all in a stretch of 200 yards; this was the location of Todd's Ford, a colonial crossing. There is a riffle about one mile below the put-in bridge that appears to be the remains of an old dam with a lock on the left bank; at the entrance to the last rapid before joining the Rappahannock, there appears to be the remains of an old dam with a bypass on the right. The longest rapid in this section occurs just before the Rapidan joins the Rappahannock, a steady Class 2 rock garden for about 1/2 mi. Immediately upon joining the Rappahannock, there is a 400 yard long Class 2 rock garden (the remains of Rapidan Dam)

This is the nicest section of the lower Rapidan River, as it has nice scenery, it has a good current, and it has nice rapids. The bottom is mostly sand; the banks are very high (10-12 ft) near the put-in; and there are convenient, scenic lunch stops. After reaching the Rappahannock, a stop to inspect the canal and locks on the right is imperative. Don't miss this engineering masterpiece. After this continuous mile or so of rapids & rock gardens thru the confluence of the two rivers, the remainder of your trip will be on the Rappahannock. The action will slow down from about a mile, before encountering the remains of Scotts Dam (Class 1-2). There are several sets of riffles as well as a Class 2 rapid at the ramins of Ballards Dam, appx. 3 miles from your take out. HAZARDS: None

BLANKENBAKERS
BLANKENBAKERS FARM (1 MILE BELOW THE JUNCTION) TO MOTTS RUN - 7 MILES
TRIP DESCRIPTION: Truly the ideal trip for children, beginners or a one day float/fishing trip. Plus it's do-able even in extreme low water periods. There are several sets of riffles and two short sets of rapids that are easily negotiated. The first being the remains of Scoots Dam and the second is the remains of Ballards Dam. Remnants of the canal and locks can be found by exploring the banks on both sides of the river. HAZARDS: None.

OUR RATES PER CANOE
Maximum of 2 persons per canoe.
TRIPS PRICE PER CANOE RIVER MILES
1 day Eley's Ford $44.00 14
1 day Blankenbakers $44.00 07
2 day Eley's Ford $68.00 14
2 day Germanna $80.00 22
2 day Kelly's Ford $80.00 24
2 day Remington $96.00 29
3rd day add $24.00
Includes canoe, lifejackets, paddles, transportation, parking, sales tax, and river map.

MISCELLANEOUS RENTALS
(1 - 3 days)
Dry Box 3.5 bushel water-proof boxes fit our canoes perfectly and are super handy in camp as a table, stool, or organizer. Limited supply; reserve when booking! $20.00
Dry Bucket 5 gallon capacity with a screw-on top. $ 5.00
Seat Backs A hot item, especially with fisherman and overnighters. $ 2.00

TUBING TRIPS
CLORE BROS. OUTFITTERS TO l-95 BRIDGE
3 miles - 3 hour float, subject to water levels $12.00 per person, includes return transportation and double chambered tube.

PARKING
(This means strictly parking only)
1 day $ 5.00
Overnight $12.00
Additional Nlghts $ 5.00
Parking fee covers parking for one vehicle, take-out for 1 canoe, washrack priviledge and trash deposit service. A $5.00 additional canoe charge for take-out of personal canoes if you did not use our service.

SHUTTLE FEES
For privately owned boats only
TRIPS PRICE PER CANOE RIVER MILES
1 day Eley's Ford $20.00 14
1 day Blankenbakers $20.00 07
2 day Eley's Ford $25.00 14
2 day Blankenbakers $25.00 07
2 day Germanna $30.00 22
2 day Kelly's Ford $30.00 24
2 day Remington $35.00 29
This price includes parking, equipment transportation, take out at our landing, washrack priviledge, trash deposit service.


CLORE BROS. OUTFITTERS
5927 River Road Fredericksburg, VA 22407
540-786-7749 or 540-786-7456
clorebros@aol.com
"Easy Access" only 5 minutes from
Route 3 & 1-95 in Fredericksburg

IT IS IMPORTANT that you arrive 30 minutes prior to our departure time.

River Seasons

WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME TO GO?

EARLY SPRING
1 April thru Mid May
During this time the river runs fast and full. It's truly time to "go for the gusto". Fishing is considered to be excellent if you are after citation size fish, but remember to bring a couple of anchors and don't try to fish more than about 5 miles per day. The night-time temperatures make for cozy campfires.

LATE SPRING
Mid May thru Mid June
This is the height of our season. The river usually runs at an optimum level, the days are warm to hot and the nights are cool enough for good sleeping.

SUMMER
Mid June thru Mid July
The river starts to slow down, revealing it's beautiful character, as the fascinating rock formations start to expose themselves and the lush green patches of river grass spring up everywhere. A fish and fishermen's paradise!. It's an excellent time to bring the whole family. The emphasis should now be on shorter trips, with more quality time spent fishing, swimming, and laying in the rapids.

 SUMMER/FALL
Mid July thru Sept
These are the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. The water level is low, dictating shorter trips, but it's a delightful time of year to be on the river. Fishing is excellent at this time since the fish are pooled up in the deep holes. Now is the time to bring the little kids, or the little kids at heart, to experience just how friendly and intimate the river can be. Spending equal time in the river and the canoe makes for a cool and delightful memory.

FALL
Mid Sept thru Mid October
River traffic is very slow, but the fishing is excellent and the fall foliage spectacular. We normally close between the 1st and 15th of October, depending on water temperature and/or air temperature.

NOTE: High water can happen at any time during the year, after a prolonged rain. We will not put you on the river at unsafe water levels.

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