Cheli38,

Actually, that is where I plan on going - down the James.

A group of friends do several trip a year down the James. Usually starting from Bent Creek or further down stream towards Scottsville. The farthest down stream I have been on a float trip is Bremo Bluff. Really like these trips - getting away from it all and just fishing and camping.

Plan on going to the hardware store and getting some nylon rope. Maybe coloring some in the firetiger pattern to see how that works.

There are a couple of creeks in the area that have good populations of Gar, but there is to much overhang to get a good cast with a fly rod.