On beautiful late April day, I hitched up the Anna’s Marine Center Tracker Grizzly 2072 and headed with great anticipation to explore a new lake located about an hour from my Lake Anna home in nearby Caroline County. Long a “secret” lunker bass hole accessible by only a select few, my destination is now part of a curated rental experience sure to be on many local anglers’ bucket lists.
Established in 1812, the 45-acre Reedy Mill Pond is located about 20 minutes from Doswell and I-95 in the fertile Mattaponi River watershed. I met owner, Mike Parker at the Richmond Fishing Expo back in January when he stopped by the W2 booth and said he was a fan and had a lake he’d like me to come fish. At the show Parker told me a little about the place and I was intrigued but knew my spring schedule would make it tough to fit in a visit. So, when I had a rare Saturday morning free, I made arrangements to visit Reedy Mill Pond with Delegate Buddy Fowler as my fishing partner.
The drive towing the boat wasn’t too bad (you never know with country roads) and I made our 8:30 meeting time with a few minutes to spare.
Upon pulling into the compound, I was immediately impressed with the impeccable landscaping and upkeep.
Up to eight guests in a party can enjoy staying in the perfectly renovated and modernly equipped millhouse situated on the shore of the lake. Those that bring a boat can use the private boat ramp. Fishing by kayak is also an option.
Other amenities for use during a stay include two professional pickleball courts, a beach volleyball court and walking trails along the Mattaponi River.
Parker, a retired contractor and avid outdoorsman told W2 he wanted to create a special place for families and friends to enjoy the outdoors together.
“We loved this property for years and when it became available, we were able to acquire it, make some necessary upgrades/repairs and create something completely unique for families that like enjoy spending time together outdoors.”
In addition to excellent largemouth bass fishing, Reedy Mill Pond also harbors an abundance of large bluegill and crappie. Flyfishing is excellent during bedding seasons.
During my visit with Virginia Del. Buddy Fowler, we caught over 40 bass up to nearly seven pounds, many 10+ inch bluegill and crappie up to 14”.
I’m so used to fishing big lakes and tidal rivers I had to remember how to pond fish that day.
Buddy was right at home as he fishes ponds but casting to the banks for fishing holding on shallow stumps, logs and other wood cover was something I hadn’t done in a bit. I started out throwing a topwater frog since the water was 68 but after zero interest, I switched over to pitching a four-inch ZOOM lizard threaded on an S&G shakey head. As soon as I did this, the strikes were endless.
We fished from the ramp down to the dam, a stretch of about 250 yards, Buddy casting a spinnerbait and me pitching the lizard. Buddy struck first with a 13” bass on his safety pin lure. I was “power-finesse” fishing with the lizard, pitching to every stump and stick I could see in addition to what appeared to be a few beds. These were essentially yellow spots on the bank next to some kind of wood. I think most of the fish had already spawned but it was hard to tell as the water was dark with tannin – not unlike the water in Chickahominy Lake.
I went through three lizards in that stretch and caught nine bass up to a pound-and-a-half. Once at the dam I switched over to a crappie jig as my Humminbird MEGA Live was showing a lot of fish holding in some tree laps on the far shore. Turns out they were fish but not crappie. I caught big bluegills on the crappie jig – lots of them. I wished I had had brought my fly rod!
As we made our way up lake along the far shore, the habitat was abundant in the form of downed trees and stumps. At one point Buddy caught a hefty black crappie on a Ned rig in front of a tangle of storm felled trees. I went back to the crappie jig and caught a few myself. These were beautiful spawners complete with their black/indigo “tuxedos” on to impress the ladies.
After enjoying the bonus crappie hole, Buddy and I continued up lake, he fishing the spinnerbait and me pitching the lizard. Where a big tree had fallen into the water Buddy had a snag and while he was tending to that I tossed the lizard over the log into a patch of calm water beyond it. My lizard never found bottom and I watched my line moving to deeper water. I set the hook on a powerful 4.5 pounder that appeared to be post spawn and hungry!
From there we fished our way back to the halfway point of the lake. Here the pond turns to the left and then meanders back right into a lily pad field. We were running out of time, and needed to be back at the ramp by 12:30 so we turned back.
Fishing along the boat ramp side I spied what appeared to be about a two to three-pound bass on a bed under a beech tree on the bank. While I wasn’t really interested in him, I did want to make some casts just off the bed to see if his girlfriend was lurking nearby.
When I casted that lizard about two-and-a-half feet short of the bed, I felt something odd and watched as my line began to move off to the right. It was go time, and I set the hook.
It’s been a while since I landed a truly whopper bass, so when I hook-set and the fish barely moved, I was wondering what I had gotten into. I didn’t have to wait long as that fish swam with me as I was trying to get it in, and I saw it swimming broadside like Moby Dick passing the Pequod. I had set the hook into a 10-pound bass!
Sadly, after a few more seconds, the battle was aborted as the hook pulled out and the fish was lost! I wasn’t heartbroken, just happy to hook one of the legendary Reedy Mill bass our host told use were here.
I told Buddy we may be able to hook that monster again if we fished on down the bank just long enough for her to normalize and forget about us. So, we did. We fished down to the truck, with Buddy catching a couple nice bass on his spinnerbait, and then turned around again and headed back to that bed at the base of the beech tree.
During our foray down and back I had “mudded up” and chosen a baitcaster rigged with braided line and a jig for my second attempt at greatness. I held it at the ready while I maneuvered the boat in place using my iPilot Minn Kota Ulterra Quest trolling motor. Once in place, I Spot Locked and told Buddy he should take the first cast with his spinnerbait.
He did but didn’t get bit. So, I pitched out the jig a little nervously and made a bad cast. I stopped the bait from reaching the target and readied for a better attempt. This time my aim was better, and jig swung toward my unseen intended target and “plipped” quietly into the dark water.
Much to my delight, the jig never made it to the bottom. The line went tight and was moving off up lake when I set the hook hard into another solid fish, I hoped was the 10.
“I got her,” I grunted, “Get the net.”
Well, Buddy is darn near a professional net man, and he had that thing outstretched and ready for me when it was time to bring the subdued fish aboard. It was a nice bass, but not the 10 pounder. Turns out my fish was 24” long and just under seven pounds. It was very dark on top with a golden underside and a spawned-out belly. That first bass was very light colored with almost tiger striped sides, so I knew it wasn’t the same one as before.
We took some pics and did a video for the Woodsandwatersadventures YouTube channel and then slipped the bass back into the lake. It was a bit after noon, and it was time to put the Grizz back on the trailer and head back to the office. I would have been very content to explore and fish the lake the rest of the afternoon, but I had things I needed to do. That last bend will have to be tended to next time.
If you are an outdoor loving family, I think you will love this private lake house experience. I think if you have up to seven buddies that love fishing it’s a good fit, too. Think about the possibilities for entertaining clients, especially if you could get the house and a guided fishing trip!
If you get tired of reeling in fish (really?) you can enjoy the professional outdoor pickleball courts and a beach volleyball court located on the property as well as explore walking trails along the Mattaponi River. You can also relax by the fire pit or read a book under the covered bridge. Parker does provide kayaks and paddleboards for guest use. The Mattaponi Wildlife Management Area is minutes away and in season is a great place to hunt woodcock for the ultimate cast and blast getaway. Families will like the proximity to Kings Dominion and the Meadow Event Park.
I believe Parker will offer guided trips to his guests very soon, and I am happy to say I’ll be one of his guides on this special, private fishery. To make a reservation to stay and fish Reedy Mill Pond call 804.370.4967 or visit www.reedymillpond.com. There is a two-night minimum stay.
