Sometimes it’s nice just to get away. No cell phones, no office calls, no household chores – just get away. It’s even better if your get-away spot is not too far. That makes travel to and from a snap, with no long distance driving. And I suppose the ideal get-away place would have some decent fishing as well.
If all this sounds good, boy do I have a place for you. It’s Rose River Farm on the banks of the pristine Rose River in Madison County.
Douglas Dear, the proprietor, had invited me to visit his 400-acre piece of paradise. A few springs back, I decided to take him up on his offer and it didn’t hurt that the trout in his mile and a half stretch were fat, hungry and plentiful. In Doug’s private water, it’s fly-fishing only, catch and release. It’s beautiful water with spacious pools and runs and the water level was perfect.
Upon arrival, Doug suggested a San Juan worm imitation. After a dozen or so casts, and strikes on just about every drift, an 18-inch rainbow grabbed my small fly and held on. What a fight! Later, I hooked and landed a beautiful 11-inch native brook trout. Doug says there are wild browns, brookies and rainbows in his insect-rich waters. And he keeps the stream loaded with large rainbow trout.
As much as the Rose River fishing drew my appreciation, I was equally impressed with the three rental cabins at Rose River Farm. The beautifully appointed cabins each have two bedrooms, and two private baths, plus a spacious great room for cooking, dining and relaxing. Outside are grills and a fire pit complete with chopped wood and kindling. Also, within a good fly cast is a spring fed pond, which happens to have trout ready to do battle.
Doug charges about $100 per rod for a full day on his stream, but his place is so popular he is often booked well in advance. The cabins rent for about $250 a night. If guests were unable to connect with a day on the Rose River private stretch, there just happen to be seven blue ribbon native trout streams within a 30-minute drive. And there is plenty of put and take water nearby for those who want to keep a fish or two for dinner.
Rose River Farm has much to offer all its guests – even non-fishermen. There are beautiful wineries and golfing nearby. And you can visit Graves Mountain Lodge, Old Rag Mountain and White Oak Canyon for sightseeing, hiking and picnicking. The countryside is breathtaking.
Some 80 years ago, a beleaguered President Hoover stripped off his coat and tie, picked up a fly rod and became lost in the world of fishing on the nearby Rapidan River. You can do the same – with fantastic fishing and a great get away spot – at Rose River Farm. Spend a day or several days. Check them out on line at www.roseriverfarm.com.