25 miles on the Rappahannock - Whew!

Matt and I will edit more, Oh man what a trip it was but here are the highlights.
Trip - 25 miles on the Rappahannock in 3 days.
Conditions - great weather, but really low water, too much dragging the canoe.
Number of fish: lots
Fish caught; Smallies, Largemouth, Channel catfish, redbreasted sunfish, bluegills, goggle eye bass (red eye)
Biggest Smallie: John 20.5 inches (a solid 5-6 lb fish)
Biggest catfish: Matt - 25-28 inches
Most bream: Matt
Most Goggle Eye Bass: John (5)
Weirdest event - Matt through a small channel cat at me in the front of the canoe and one of its spines stuck directly in my leg, so the catfish was hanging out of it. This was revenge for waking him up with firecrackers at 6 am.
Closest call; almost sitting on a HUGE copperhead at our campsite
Funniest moment: Waking Matt up with firecrackers at 6 am
Craziest wildlife encounter: Matt grabbing a 20 lb snapping turtle by the tail and grinning like a 10 year old boy
Bald eagles sightings: at least 20
Losses: ripped my canoe seat and lost a 6.6 MF action St Criox rod and Diawa Samurai Reel (RIP)
Best Dinner: Strip steaks over the fire
Awesome time!

Solo Campout

Since Matt and I were planning the 3 day Rappahannock trip, I had to go for a test run with the new drybag. 8 miles. It was only my second time solo camping (not counting at campgrounds in State Parks), and it did not disappoint.Leaving the boat ramp on a slow section of river.

Catching Smallies once I got past the first set of rapids.

Set up camp by a nice stone beach half way into the float.

Ate part one of dinner and made some coffee and headed out to fish.

Sunset in between casts, I floated both sides of the island I was camping on, and fished until I couldn't see my camp anymore.

A wonderful time, but as a boat owner, I know my fellow buds will agree, something always goes wrong with your gear. I think I will keep track of the wins and losses for a little while , just for shits and giggles.
Trip Tallies:
Fish: 40+ in two days
Biggest Fish: 14 inches
Losses: My camp stove died after 10 years of hard service and had to buy a new one for the Rappahannock trip.
Weirdest or coolest things: Being woken up at 2 am by feeding carp crashing the shallows like killer whales. Several sightings of the resident Bald Eagles.