| A beautiful March New River walleye caught by a client of Greasy Creek Outfitters |
New River Overview
The New River flows 160 miles through southwest Virginia from the North Carolina
border into West Virginia. The New River cuts through beautiful VA mountain
scenery and features several major Class II-III rapids. However, plenty of flat water
exists for the less adventurous. Opportunities for angling, canoeing, and rafting
exist - particularly along the 50 miles or so of the New River Trail State Park.
Almost any freshwater species found in Virginia resides in the New River,
including smallmouth, spotted, largemouth, striped, and hybrid bass, muskie,
walleye, yellow perch, crappie, redbreast sunfish, bluegill, flathead and channel
catfish. The New River currently holds three state records: Smallmouth bass (8 lb
1oz, 2003), Walleye (15 lb 15 oz, 2000), and Muskie (45 lbs 0 oz, 1989). Visit
VDGIF for a map and description of the many available float trips.
border into West Virginia. The New River cuts through beautiful VA mountain
scenery and features several major Class II-III rapids. However, plenty of flat water
exists for the less adventurous. Opportunities for angling, canoeing, and rafting
exist - particularly along the 50 miles or so of the New River Trail State Park.
Almost any freshwater species found in Virginia resides in the New River,
including smallmouth, spotted, largemouth, striped, and hybrid bass, muskie,
walleye, yellow perch, crappie, redbreast sunfish, bluegill, flathead and channel
catfish. The New River currently holds three state records: Smallmouth bass (8 lb
1oz, 2003), Walleye (15 lb 15 oz, 2000), and Muskie (45 lbs 0 oz, 1989). Visit
VDGIF for a map and description of the many available float trips.
Virginia Outdoors - A Resource for Virginia Anglers and Hunters
Virginia Outdoors - New River
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New River Fishing
New River Fishing Guides
Smallmouth Bass: Smallmouth bass are the most plentiful bass and the most
sought-after species in the New River. Spring is prime time for trophy fish, but the
fishing is typically excellent year-round. Crawfish-imitating lures (e.g., jigs) are
always a good choice as this is the preferred forage of the smallmouth. Try
smaller baits in the spring and use progressively larger baits towards fall,
culminating in "large" lures, such as 6" jerk baits and 1/2 oz crankbaits. In the
summer, soft plastics work well as do topwaters (e.g., buzzbaits) worked around
logs and vegetation. Largemouth bass are most likely to be caught in the stretch
below the Claytor Lake dam to Big Falls - the New River has produced several
largemouth exceeding 10 lbs over the years.
Muskellunge: Muskie are abundant, but often difficult to catch. Large crankbaits
and jerkbaits are good choices, but expect to work hard for fish. Live bait can be
effective in the winter.
Walleye: Walleye fishing is best during the spawning season of February through
May. Foster Falls and Buck Dam are prime spawning areas, which are best
accessed in a flat-bottom boat. Any minnow-imitating lure will work well, including
hard and soft jerkbaits. Of course, live minnows are also a good choice.
sought-after species in the New River. Spring is prime time for trophy fish, but the
fishing is typically excellent year-round. Crawfish-imitating lures (e.g., jigs) are
always a good choice as this is the preferred forage of the smallmouth. Try
smaller baits in the spring and use progressively larger baits towards fall,
culminating in "large" lures, such as 6" jerk baits and 1/2 oz crankbaits. In the
summer, soft plastics work well as do topwaters (e.g., buzzbaits) worked around
logs and vegetation. Largemouth bass are most likely to be caught in the stretch
below the Claytor Lake dam to Big Falls - the New River has produced several
largemouth exceeding 10 lbs over the years.
Muskellunge: Muskie are abundant, but often difficult to catch. Large crankbaits
and jerkbaits are good choices, but expect to work hard for fish. Live bait can be
effective in the winter.
Walleye: Walleye fishing is best during the spawning season of February through
May. Foster Falls and Buck Dam are prime spawning areas, which are best
accessed in a flat-bottom boat. Any minnow-imitating lure will work well, including
hard and soft jerkbaits. Of course, live minnows are also a good choice.
New River Fishing Report
|
June 9, 2008: Rob England of Appalachian Bronzeback Adventures provided the
following fishing report:
in spite of the recent heat, smallmouth continue to feed heavily and surprisingly
shallow. Focus on ledges and eddies near swift-moving water. In slower water,
wood cover and deeper holes should be targeted. Smallmouth in the 16"-20"
range are not uncommon.
April 22, 2008: Dr. Mike Smith of Greasy Creek Outfitters (540-789-7811)
provided the following fishing report for the New River Valley:
We are catching lots of nice smallies. The entire New is producing some really
big pre-spawn fish right now. Spinnerbaits and tube jigs are the ticket. The water
is holding up, for now, on local trout streams, where the fishing is also good.
Stripers are being caught in Peak Creek on live shad.
Good Fishin’ -- Mike
Mike Smith is the author of a series of guide books published by University of
Virginia Press, including Fishing the New River Valley: An Angler’s Guide, Fishing
the Roanoke Valley: An Angler’s Guide, and his latest book in the series—Fishing
the Greenbrier Valley: An Angler’s Guide. He operates Greasy Creek Outfitters
located in Floyd, Virginia. For more information check out his website:
www.greasycreekoutfitters.com or call 540-789-7811.
following fishing report:
in spite of the recent heat, smallmouth continue to feed heavily and surprisingly
shallow. Focus on ledges and eddies near swift-moving water. In slower water,
wood cover and deeper holes should be targeted. Smallmouth in the 16"-20"
range are not uncommon.
April 22, 2008: Dr. Mike Smith of Greasy Creek Outfitters (540-789-7811)
provided the following fishing report for the New River Valley:
We are catching lots of nice smallies. The entire New is producing some really
big pre-spawn fish right now. Spinnerbaits and tube jigs are the ticket. The water
is holding up, for now, on local trout streams, where the fishing is also good.
Stripers are being caught in Peak Creek on live shad.
Good Fishin’ -- Mike
Mike Smith is the author of a series of guide books published by University of
Virginia Press, including Fishing the New River Valley: An Angler’s Guide, Fishing
the Roanoke Valley: An Angler’s Guide, and his latest book in the series—Fishing
the Greenbrier Valley: An Angler’s Guide. He operates Greasy Creek Outfitters
located in Floyd, Virginia. For more information check out his website:
www.greasycreekoutfitters.com or call 540-789-7811.
| A 21.5" smallie caught on a night trip with Canoe the New Guide Service in August 2006 |
| Canoe the New client with a 20" smallmouth caught on a spinnerbait in September |
| Canoe the New client with a 20.75" New River smallmouth |
| Click on any image to enlarge! |
| Check out these citation smallmouth caught by clients of Canoe the New Outfitters in October and November 2006! |
| October - 23" |
| November - 21.5" |
| November - 20" |
| Some great wintertime fish caught by Greasy Creek Outfitters! |
| December - 22" Rainbow |
| December - 21" (Capt Forest Presnell) |
| December - 18" |
| Copyright © 2007 Virginia Outdoors, LLC Ruckersville, VA |
| Beautiful smallmouth caught flyfishing with Greasy Creek Outfitters! Spring 2007 |
| GCO Guide Capt Forest Presnell Holds a 19 lb Citation Muskie Caught on the New River in June 2007 |
| The State Record Fish Committee of the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) has certified a new state record musky. On June 1, 2007, Shannon Hill, of Christiansburg, Virginia, caught a 45 pound, 8 ounce musky from the New River. That topped the existing record of 45 pounds set in 1989 by R. A. Underwood, a fish that was also caught in the New River. Mr. Hill's huge musky measured 53 inches long and had a girth of 24.5 inches (Photo below from VDGIF Outdoor Report - Visit the VDGIF web site to sign up!) |
| Featured Article: Where to Catch Virginia's Trophy Largemouth Bass |
| A 42" muskie taken on fly in September 2007 by GCO client, Bill Hylander |
