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By GREG TURNER
Rappahannock News Staff Writer
“Fishing is great discipline in the equality of men — because all men are equal before fish. ”
— Herbert Hoover
Camp Hoover, President Herbert Hoover’s weekend fishing retreat, was open to the public last weekend, coinciding with the former president’s August 10 birthday.
Sponsored by the National Park Service, “Hoover Days” was part of the many scheduled events taking place during the park’s 50th anniversary celebration this year.
According to Park Ranger Tessy Shirakawa, “President Hoover was looking for a weekend fishing camp that was, one: close to Washington and within a 100 mile radius, two: had mountains, forest and streams with fish, and, three: no mosquitoes.”
Located southwest of Big Meadows, the camp is situated on the Rapidan River where the Mill Prong and the Laurel Prong merge, creating a perfect habitat for President Hoover’s coveted native brook trout. “The President loved to fish for the native brook trout and had an extremely fast wrist,” Ranger Shirakawa added.
The Park Service provided transportation from the Byrd Visitor Center at Big Meadows down the Rapidan fire road to the rustic camp. The tree-lined drive was beautiful, with hikers walking and people on horseback riding along the way. Upon arriving at the camp, rangers were present to give a brief interpretive history of the retreat and provided answers to any visitor’s questions.
The area abounded in huge hemlocks and oaks. “President Hoover, being a civil engineer and contrary to their accepted practices, tread very gently in this area,” stated Ranger George Hoffman. With a hemlock approximately 150 years old growing through the deck adjacent to the front door of the president’s cabin, visitors could easily see what he meant.
Mr. Hoffman also added that President Hoover didn’t receive much credit for his conservation practices until later years and was best remembered for being president during the Depression.
Besides having abundant scenic beauty, the camp also offered some interesting human history.
In 1929 President Hoover bought the land with his own money, despite the fact that he had access to government funds for the purchase. He paid five dollars an acre for the 164 acre tract, the going rate for mountain land in Madison County at that time.
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