Richmonders seeking a close to home weekend getaway need travel no farther than 20 miles from downtown to arrive at Pocahontas State Park. The 200-acre Swift Creek Lake and two other smaller impoundments contain largemouths, bluegills, crappie and catfish.

Other parks with notable impoundment angling opportunities include Staunton River State Park on Buggs Island, Twin Lakes State Park and its Goodwin Lake in central Virginia, and First Landing State Park and Natural Area on the Chesapeake Bay. Several years ago, my family spent a pleasant sojourn at this state park. Our lunches and dinners consisted of fresh fish that I had caught earlier in the day from the bay. We loved the climate-controlled cabin where we stayed; campsites, picnic areas, boat ramps, bicycle trail, and kayak rental are among the other amenities.

THE JAMES RIVER OPTION
River enthusiasts are not left out of the state park equation either. In addition to the earlier mentioned Andy Guest State Park on the South Fork of the Shenandoah, the James River State Park lies just off Route 60 in Buckingham County. This 1,500-acre establishment is one of our newest state parks and proffers an environmental education center, boat launches, two primitive campgrounds, equestrian camping, a 1/4-mile-long wheelchair accessible trail, and a universally accessible fishing pier.

Obviously, the James River and its smallmouth bass, rock bass and redbreast sunfish are major draws for the sporting family. The closest is Bent Creek to Wingina (12 1/2 miles) with the park lying on river right about halfway through the excursion. The Bent Creek put-in is on river right at the Route 60 bridge.

In the bridge area, wade-fishermen can work the water willow beds and the underwater rock cover. If you and your offspring decide to wade-fish this area, please wear lifejackets. The James flows very gently through here, but, as is true on any river, dropoffs do exist. Topwater baits, in-line spinners, and ultra light crankbaits should produce plenty of action for good numbers of rock bass, redbreasts and maybe even a smallie or two.

Another plus for the Bent Creek getaway is that no major rapids exist, just Class I rapids. The first of these is Freeland's Falls, which occurs about a mile into the float. Next comes a backwards S-curve for about 1 1/2 miles. I have never had much luck for smallmouths in this area, but redbreasts are fairly abundant.

Then comes a mile-long straight stretch that is followed by Mixon's Falls -- another very easy Class I rapid. A major highlight of the Bent Creek trip comes next -- Tod's Shoals. Sycamores crowd both banks, rock cover abounds, an outside bend exists, and smallmouth bass and redeyes thrive in solid numbers.

For the next three miles, the best chance for fish comes in the form of redbreast sunfish. Target bank cover and the occasional shoreline eddy. You then will come to the Buffalo Station area at the midway point of the float. The state park rests on river right.

A multitude of riffles characterize much of the rest of the float. In order, you will course through or by Welch Rock Shoals, the entrance of the Tye River on river left, the remains of the Tye River Dam, and Cunningham Island. Shallow runs and pools describe much of the last two miles, and though jumbo smallmouth bass are uncommon, panfish can be found in pleasing numbers. The Wingina take-out is on river left where the Route 56 bridge crosses the James.

The warm weather period is a great time to spend fishing with loved ones. Try some of these family getaways this summer.