Northern Virginia Roll Call

Onslow Beach is pretty sweet for that area, largely because it's the same beach front as everywhere else without the crowds. I frequented that beach quite often when I was stationed there. Foot beach access is good, but I don't believe that OB has beach access for vehicles...unless something changed recently.

 

I'm pretty sure this is the first time in my life that anyone has ever used the word sweet when referring to anything in Jacksonville.

 

I used Emerald Isle often when I was there as well...it was close to where I lived in Swansboro and had vehicle access (for a seasonal fee). As far as J-Ville getting any nicer, I suppose that depends on how far back you are going. When I was stationed in NC in the 90's, Jacksonville was not that great...a few years ago it was much better. Still tons of pawn/tattoo/strip club going on (usually in a row!), but hey it is a military town after all.

 

Haha! Well, we'll just consider Camp Lejeune is its own "city" that just borders J-Ville for the sake of this discussion, so...

 

Emerald Isle was my family's go-to vacation spot. There was plenty to do and it was quiet. Nobody had discovered the place back then. You could even trek into Morehead City for some boat chartering to do some deep sea fishing.

How far back? Oh from about the 70s all the way up to the 2000s. I just remember that every time we would go down there, there would be more used car lots, tattoo parlors, and "massage" joints. My grandfather's farm was on the corner of 58 and Pony Farm Road. Still is. It's just that my shitty uncle lives there now. Supposedly my grandfather's family owned a vast majority of Onslow county. Rumor has it that my great- grandfather made his money through moon-shining.

 

Yeah not looking to drive on and no amphibious assaults planned lol. Just wanna get the kids out to the ocean and beach and dip my toes in some decent sand.

 

2 questions! Bonus if they are in the same area/location.

1) Any Easy/medium off-road trails in the DMV area that you would recommend to a beginner?

2) Relatively new to the NOVA area, haven’t been in town for fishing season yet due to work schedule. Any recommendations for a fishing weekend?

 

1. Peter's Mill Run is a relatively easy off road trail located in Fort Valley, VA
2. Passage Creek is one of the state's best stocked trout streams and is also in Fort Valley

 

If you are in Virginia go to https://www.virginiadot.org/travel/county_maps.asp
And get the county maps for Loudoun and Fauquier. There are many gravel roads two with water crossings. If you want specific recommendations or company just ask.

 

Holy fuck! Travelling a few days this week for work, and the rental place gave me a Jeep Wrangler Sport. What a colossal turd.

 

Happy Monday, not! It's a damp grey day not how I was hoping to start the week.
This just means we have to stay inside for class on a week we need to share the gym with other events.
Oh well, I'll be in Fredericksburg next week for work on the river

 

Welcome, where about in Nova are you?
Many of the dirt roads @Usroadscholar mentioned are enough to satisfy my urge to get out during the week,
As for fishing lots of places, Fountainhead park had an almost state record flathead catfish last year,
Most places along the potomac are decent.

 

Morning ladies......

 

I live in Arlington. Few to zero spots to get some off road thrills...

 

Would LOVE some recommendations on Loundon and Fauquier!

 

Rainy days make my paint look half decent!

 

Welcome!

The upper Potomac, where Antietam Creek enters is exceptional small mouth fishing. You can wade there with an old pair of sneakers and some decent trunks. I usually wear a fishing vest and put my shit in baggies. Antietam Creek is a stocked trout stream so you may have some luck with them as well. Another good spot for smallmouth fishing is the Shenandoah River from Luray north to Compton, possibly even further. One may also wade here however there are some deep pockets.

Edit: You may need a MD license for the Potomac since they "own" the river!

 

I will put together a route. How long do you want to drive. It will have some paved sections linking gravel sections. VA county roads have small white signs with black numbers. Most now have names but I use the numbers. If you want company we can meet at Aldie post office. Route will start from there.

 

No need for an MD license. The Patomac River Fisheries handles licenses for fishing the Potomac. There is some overlap with VA and MD licenses if I remember correctly, but I'd go to a PRF office to figure it all out.

 

the VA license lets you fish the whole potomac, you can fish from the MD side and there is some more reciprocity for other creeks in MD if you have the VA license as well.