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said. “Even though we warn people to wear some sort of foot protection, they go barefoot.”
Gibson’s tips to ensure a safe trip are to wear shoes or sturdy sandals, apply sunscreen, wear a life preserver and to drink water, because it’s easy to get dehydrated on the river.
He also warns people not to use alcohol while on the Shenandoah. A hot day will exacerbate alcohol’s effects and can lead people to put themselves in dangerous situations.
“It makes you stupid,” Gibson said. “You don’t need to be blitzed to enjoy the river.”
Fishy business
Anglers regularly rent boats from Downriver to cast lines into the Shenandoah.
“The river is relatively clean, despite all the negative press it’s gotten over the last several years because of the fish kills that occurred in 2005,” Gibson said. “Right now the water is crystal dear. You can see the bottom of*the river in 20 feet of water.”
Large fish are not as common as they used to be, Gibson said, but people are still reeling in decent-sized catches. Some fishermen are bringing in bass up to 20 inches in length.
Most large bass died in the 2005 fish kill, which affected mature bass and redbreasted sunfish. Smaller bass and other fish species were not affected by the dieoffs.
“Last year, in 2006, the fishing rebounded remarkably well,” Gibson said. “It wasn’t as good as it was in 2002 and 2003, but the fishing was respectable.”
Whether you’re fishing for bass, learning to paddle or just want to have a lazy summer day surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery, a trip down the Shenandoah is a Virginia tradition that will surely survive for years to come.
E-mail the reporter at kallen@timespapers.com
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