Re: Raystown
LSM, sorry I missed you on Saturday ... would have loved to have met. We only were up as far as Trough Creek and left the water around 1:30 so I could get the boat put away and relax before the PSU game.
superbenk, both 7 Points and Rothrock (Raystown Resort) have campsites on the water. During the season they can be hard to get, but some are reservable, so if you start now ... By camping, are you tent or camper camping? Nancy's Camp is a real nice "boat-to shore" camp grounds that you can only get to by boat or a couple mile hike. Susquehannock Camp Grounds is the "primative" camping area of 7 Points. All campsites are in close proximity to the water, but they are not all level or with the full amenities (but you can use a motorhome, camper, or tent there). Susquenita (sp?), Point, and Bay Campgrounds are close/on the water in & Points and it is not a bad walk from the furtherest sites to where you can beach your boat. The other 3 Camping areas in 7 Points are a bit of a hike down the hill, but are still doable to the boat if you get one of the sites in the back, furtherest away from the road.
I can't tell you as much about the Raystown Resort campground because I only camped there once and that was years ago. I do most of my launching from the Northern end of the lake (7 Points and Snyder's Run - there are a few older gentlemen that will be sitting at the picnic table by the launch ramp. They enjoy the daily show!). The Resort does have the Lodge, which is nice, and there are some rental cabins.
There are a few bed and breakfasts around, and a couple of hotels. There are also a few things to do in the area to keep you busy during the weekend ... enjoy the lake during the week, if possible, because it can get crazy on the weekend.
Like Blue Crabber said, Raystown is 30 miles of serpentine water with everything from steep drop-offs to mud flats. The deepest part of the lake is about 190 feet deep, and until you go south of the bridge (about mile marker 21?) (the lake runs from south to north) you will find water in excess of 100 feet deep. Saturday I was holding in 140 feet of water and casting to the shore - and that is not unusual.
Fishing can be hard, but if you get the pattern, you are in for a lot of fun. Water sports ... well, during the week there is a lot of room for them. Just avoid trying them on the weekend. And scenery, well, it is gorgeous. I wanted to take the camera out on Saturday, but forgot. Will try to get some fresh pictures for you this week.
