New River Trophy Outfitters is a guided fishing outfitter that has been serving anglers for over 20 years. As the only city in Virginia located directly on the river, Radford offers unparalleled access to the water at a number of different sites. Catching Your Fish The muskie is the largest game fish found in the New River. Minnows may also be used when fishing for catfish. Eggleston (F) to Pembroke (G)Map The New River from the I-64 bridge at Sandstone 12 miles downstream to the Grandview Sandbar is designated catch and release for black bass. Some safety tips are: Download the West Virginia fishing regulations. Thanks for considering PRO River Outfitters for your next West Virginia Vacation Adventure. Greasy Creek Outfitters Over the years, Greasy Creek Outfitters has appeared in many prominent magazines, including In-Fisherman, Bassmaster, Fly-Fish America, Eastern Fly-Fishing, NC Game and Fish, NC Sportsman, VA Game and Fish, Virginia Wildlife, ⦠Distance: 10 miles. Good areas to fish for catfish downstream from Claytor Lake include the river just below Claytor Dam, below Pepperâs Ferry Bridge (Route 114), the Whitethorne and Belspring areas (all three locations are in Montgomery County), and Narrows, Pearisburg, and Eggleston in Giles County. Take out off Route 636 on left bank, just under the Route 460 bridge. Be sure to fish the mouth of Little River as it enters New River directly below the dam. Narrows Falls drops around 7 feet in 50 feet of river. The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources has the same information available (http://www.wvdhhr.org/fish/Current_Advisories.asp), along with a little more background information (http://www.wvdhhr.org/fish/default.asp). Boats with outboard motors are recommended to navigate the water of the lake. 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 Take out is at Whitethorne, a developed VDGIF boat landing off Route 623 on the right side of the river. This is a trip for those in love with flat water and gorgeous scenery. We love to share our knowledge of the New River Gorge Region with our new friends! Some species of fish feed at night, providing anglers an opportunity for night fishing. Be sure to visit the historical Shot Tower State Park before leaving the vicinity of Jackson Ferry. Put in at the end of Route 623 at Whitethorne. Appalachian Outdoor Adventures (AOA) is a full service guide business specializing in smallmouth bass and musky fishing on the New River in Virginia. 8 oz. The accessible area is on a wooden bridge over Glade Creek, an excellent fishing location (catch and release in this area). Take out on the left side of the river below the Route 460 bridge near Bluff City. Distance: 5 miles. New River Trail State Park parallels the river for over 50 miles from Pulaski to Fries or Galax. Flat water dominates this run. Distance: 8.5 miles. Walleye fishing is best from Fries Dam to Allisonia where the Department concentrates its stocking efforts. The New River has opportunities to catch some of the top species in trophy sizes. There is a wheel chair accessible fishing area at the Glade Creek Campground. A new informal take out is at the mouth of Wolf Creek, just above the falls. Claytor Dam to Peppers Ferry (D)Map A preferred lure to use is the twister-tail grub. A one-mile backwater from Fields Dam, an old woolen mill, immediately greets the boater after launching. This is the float for whitewater enthusiasts. ), caught June 1, 2007, Smallmouth Bass (8 lbs. Below Buck Dam is a newly constructed parking lot and bank fishing access site at the end of State Route 636 in the Austinville area. NEW RIVER TRIPS- fishing guide - Virginia Is For Lovers Outdoors and Sports NEW RIVER TRIPS- fishing guide N ew River Trips offers guided fishing trips on the New River. Our 1-day trips start early, and offer a full day of fishing and the best riverside buffet lunch in the gorge, as well as snacks ⦠Large crankbaits, jerkbaits, and in-line bucktail spinners are all good baits for muskie. Our home waters on the New above Claytor Lake support an incredibly rich and diverse fishery while the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains provide a scenic backdrop for some phenomenal fly fishing. I fish 8 sections on the Upper New, 4 on the ⦠http://www.wvdnr.gov/Fishing/Fishing_regs.shtm, http://www.wvdnr.gov/Fishing/Regs14/Consumption_Advisory.pdf, http://www.wvdhhr.org/fish/Current_Advisories.asp, WV Department of Natural Resources webpage, return the fish to the water as soon as possible, use needle-nose pliers to remove the hook, move fish back and forth in the water to move, water through its gills until it can swim away, always wear a life jacket around the river, fish at least 100 feet away from a boat launch. Catch and release ensures fishing opportunities for future generations. Distance: 13.5 miles. Distance: 7 miles. Outdoor recreation activities abound along the river. Take out on the left near the intersection of Routes 274 and 94. Be sure to cast large plugs or use adult chubs to increase your chances of landing a trophy musky. Baywood to RiversideMap Three other private ramps also give access to Claytor Lake. Short riffle areas are interspersed through this reach, inviting the angler to beach his craft and try flycasting a wooly bugger in the swirling pockets and runs. Jackson Ferry (C) to AllisoniaMap This is a short but beautiful float. But that doesnât mean the New is all fast water. The deep pools of this reach yield trophy catfish and muskellunge as well. North Carolina fishing licenses or permits are honored on the mainstream portion of the river from the confluence of the North and South Forks of the New River in North Carolina (Alleghany County), downstream to the confluence of the New and Little Rivers in Virginia (Grayson County). The New River is likely to yield new state record fish in the future. Anglers should do well year-round with any bait that mimics crayfish, which are the smallmouthâs preferred prey. West Virginia Gov. Take out is a ramp near the Rout 636 bridge at Austinville. 11 bridge that spans high above the New River. Distance: 6 miles. 622. The river spills over four sets of ledges to create some Class II and III rapids. That means that every time you make a cast in the New River, your chances of hooking into a trophy smallmouth are better than anywhere in the state of Virginia. An old, crumbled dam at the end of the run forms several hydraulic that can be lethal to unsuspecting boaters. Simply stated, the New rivals the James and Rappahannock rivers as one of the best fishing rivers in Virginia. For the more faint of heart, put in about 300 yards downstream below Foster Falls at the second ramp in the park. Fishing is not to be missed in on the New River. Big Falls (E) and Eggleston (F)Map Muskellunge are stocked from Claytor Dam to the West Virginia line. Distance: 2 miles. Take out on left bank just before the Eggleston bridge (Rout 730) along Rt. Around two miles above the take out, you will encounter Joyce’s Rapids, challenging your boating skills and providing some outstanding smallmouth bass opportunities. In fact, Radfordâs stretch of the New River has been the site of many state-record breaking catches in recent ⦠It is not uncommon to hook several fish in the 2-4 lb class while using hell-grammites, jigs, or crayfish imitations. This species of sunfish will hit anything from crank-baits to nightcrawlers. Put in on the west bank of the river near the intersection of Routes 93 & 58. Your trip can be cut in half by taking out at a popular spot on the south side of the Route 94 bridge. Just wade into the river from the bank in front of the cabin and you are moments away from world class fishing in the New River. walleye, (15lbs.15oz.) Live bait, such as nightcrawlers or hellgrammites, can increase the odds of catching bass. It can be reached at the end of Glade Creek Road from the parking area next to the campground entrance. The VDGIF Glen Lyn landing is located at a beautiful small park on the right-hand side, just above the Route 460 bridge. Most fish prey is much more active at these times; therefore, more fish are out feeding. No bass 14 to 22 inches, only 1 per day longer than 22 inches, 5 per day in the aggregate. Cartop launch only. The slow waters near the dams along the river will may yield big Flathead and Channel Catfish as well as Walleye and Smallmouth Bass when fished with jigs and live bait. New River-Fields Dam (Grayson County) downstream to Claytor Dam (includes Claytor Lake), New River-Claytor Dam downstream to VA-WV state line, June 1 to last day of February: No muskellunge 40 to 48 inches, March 1 to May 31: No muskellunge less than 48 inches, © 2020 Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. Distance: 2.5 miles. Two main spawning grounds for river Walleye were identified during the Virginia Tech research study, Fosters Falls (in Fosters Falls Village, part of the New River Trail State Park), and the area upstream from there at Buck Dam. New River Outdoor Co. is located in Pearisburg, Virginia (30 min. For those who opt for a longer float, there are camping facilities available in the vicinity of Riverside. Nightcrawlers and hellgrammites are common bait used for fishing. Rich Creek to Glen LynMap Launch on the east bank off Route 605 after passing under I-81. Several small ledges and rock gardens can be handled easily, but beware of Narrows Falls, located below the town of Narrows. Catching a muskie can be a real challenge. 25846. Austinville to Jackson Ferry (C)Map 1 oz. Fowler’s Ferry (B) to AustinvilleMap Eight sections on the Upper New and 5 sections on the Lower New are part of the tours and a 14-foot raft is used. This is also one of the best areas on the lower New River to tangle with trophy muskellunge. Live bait fishing (including the use of trout) can be an extremely effective fishing method in the winter months. Good locations for nice-sized Rock Bass include Radford and Whitethorne in Montgomery County, and Old Town, Baywood, and Mouth of Wilson in Grayson County. Top Notch Fishing The New River is regarded as one of the top smallmouth rivers in the country and one of the best overall fishing rivers in Virginia. Fishing below the many small ledges can be productive as well. New River Trail State Park hugs the river here. This is a short but scenic float. The smallmouth bass is one of the more abundant species found in the New River. March, April, and May are the top months to catch trophy-Smallmouth Bass from the river, but a good number of trophy âsmalliesâ are also caught in July, August, and September. The 4,500 nearly 4,400-acre Claytor Lake in Pulaski County was created out of the river in 1939 by a hydroelectric dam, and is now a well-used recreational spot. There are two boat ramps in the Village, both of which are best suited to shallow running jon boats. It meanders some 160 miles through the counties of Grayson, Carroll, Wythe, Pulaski, Montgomery and Giles in Virginia before it turns into Bluestone Lake in West Virginia and emerges later as the Kanawha River at the Gauley Bridge. The muskellunge or musky can be caught on a variety of crank and spinner-baits. Bridle Creek to IndependenceMap Guided small mouth, muskie and walleye fishing trips on the New River, Va. Simply stated, the New rivals the James and Rappahannock rivers as one of the best fishing rivers in Virginia. For those who prefer to bypass such action, Penitentiary Shoals should be portaged on the left and Big Island Falls (near the north Carolina line) can be portaged from the right side. Anglers can expect to catch big muskellunge in this section. The current Virginia state record, a 45 lbs 8 oz trophy, was caught in the lower New River in June 2007, earning the New River its reputation as a destination water for trophy muskie. With the entry of Fox Creek just below the dam, an occasional trophy brown or rainbow trout can be hooked. Please contact the Marion Regional DWR Office. New River Outdoor Co. is located in Pearisburg, Virginia (30 min. It can take many, many casts to hook into one of these âtoothy crittersâ but the excitement of fighting one is well worth the effort. The 472-arce Claytor Lake State Park has four campgrounds, cottages, a marina, and hiking trails. The Oldtown take out is on the right bank two miles past the Route 94 bridge. Wade fishing is also extremely popular off the banks of Bisset Park near the Rt. Or, you can cut the trip in half by taking out or launching at a ramp near the Dedmon Sports Complex of Radford University. AOA fishing guides Jim Richmond and Charlie White have been guiding river float trips for ⦠Closer to Allisonia, the river begins to slow as you enter the deep waters of Claytor Lake. This is a relatively mild float with no major rapids and modest scenery. Pembroke (G) to Ripplemead (H)Map This section is punctuated by several small ledges and riffles. Be sure not to camp too close to the shore or get caught wading in mid-river when APCO is releasing water. Welcome New River Fly Fishing specializes in guided fishing for trophy smallmouth bass, muskie, walleye, and trout exclusively on the fly. The two rivers have high musky populations that will eagerly chase your lure. Trout are caught occasionally near the mouth of Cripple Creek, a premier trout stream that enters the river here. We mainly catch smallmouth bass; some walleye and muskie are also caught. Launch at the VDGIF boat landing on river left off Rt. Take out off Route 623, on the right side above the bridge. Top-water lures used late in the evening are an excellent choice. Portage the dam on the left bank, following a very steep foot trail up to a public wayside off Route 94. Outfitters can be found all along the New River, so a quick call to a local chamber of commerce will put you in touch with an experienced guide who will eliminate much of the worry about planning a float trip along this historic Virginia waterway. It is a beautiful tract of land that allows hikers, horseback riders and bicyclists to take in the beauty of the river as it sweeps through southwestern Virginia. Accessible Fishing Areas: Bragging size muskellunge can also be caught in the deep holes. The New River offers world-class smallmouth and musky fishing. The New River Trail State Park does have a variety of facilities and camping areas adjacent to the river. State records that have been caught from in the New River include Muskellunge (45 lbs. It supports outstanding populations of just about every major freshwater game fish in the state: Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Striped Bass, white bass, Hybrid Striped Bass, Muskellunge, Walleye, Black Crappie, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Yellow Perch, Redbreast Sunfish, and Bluegill. Clendennin Shoals, located near the tow of Pearisburg, is the strongest rapid in the float and provides some excellent opportunities to land a big smallmouth bass or monster flathead catfish. The New River, part of the Ohio River watershed, is a tributary of the Kanawha River about 320 mi (515 km) long. A variety of artificial lures may be used. You should fish deeper water for walleye. The current Virginia state record (15 pounds, 15 ounces) Walleye was caught from the upper New River near one of these two areas. Smallmouth action in this reach is nothing short of fabulous! Portage the dam on the right side before continuing your journey to Bridle Creek. The New River offers some of the best smallmouth bass fishing in the nation and, despite the name, the New River is the second oldest river in the world. One difficult rock ledge is located on the right side of an island one mile above the Eggleston bridge. Throughout its journey in Virginia, the New River flows through spectacular, untamed mountain scenery complete with craggy rock cliffs and magnificent gorges. Some of the largest catches of this fish have come from the area between Whitethorne and Eggleston. Here, the New River winds around old Indian settlements and tobacco farms. We will be covering 7-12 miles of the best fishing on the New River. Be sure you get an early start or you will be doing more paddling than fishing. Ripplemead (H) to Bluff City (I)Map Fishing the New River Valley includes lists of stocked trout streams, tips for successful wintertime fishing, live bait approaches, and spinning and fly-fishing suggestions. Walker Creek, a notable tributary, enters the river about halfway through the trip. 41 near Prince; Dunglen and Stone Cliff near Thurmond; Cunard; and Fayette Station. Smith offers helpful tips on fishing Claytor Lake for striped bass and walleye during cold-weather months and for smallmouth bass during the spring, ⦠This slow water yields good catches of smallmouth bass and muskellunge. Plan to paddle back to Fowler’s Ferry or prepare for a long left bank portage around Buck Dam. Anglers catch good numbers of Walleye in this section from February to May, with Foster Falls a prime location. Prices range from $195 to $360. Our waterfront cabins are praised by fishing enthusiasts and kayakers, as well as those who just like to sit back on the porch and watch the river roll by. New River-Fields Dam (Grayson County) downstream to the VA-WV state line and its tributaries Little River downstream from Little River Dam in Montgomery County, Big Walker Creek from the Norfolk Southern Railroad Bridge downstream to the New River, and Wolf Creek from the Narrows Dam downstream to the New River in Giles County (This does not include Claytor Lake which is delineated as: The upper end of the island at Allisonia downstream to the dam.) During summer months, buzz baits worked around downed trees or weedbeds (particularly water willows) often produce strikes from lunker smallmouths. And therein lies another quirk of this ancient river â it flows northward rather than southward like most of the other major rivers along the eastern seaboard. Thus, the New River provides plenty of excitement for whitewater enthusiasts, with several major Class II â III rapids. Walleye fishing in the New River is best during the winter months and peaks from February through May during the Walleye spawning season. Please respect all property by refraining from littering, blocking gates or access roads, and from camping in prohibited areas. This is a Class II-III run depending on water conditions. The main facilities are located at Foster Falls, where there is a small âwalk inâ campground, river access for fishing and a boat ramp, picnic areas, horse ⦠Trout are present in several tributaries of the New River. Fast water and big rock outcroppings always spell big smallmouth bass and flathead catfish. Towering palisades line the water’s edge as the boater drifts slowly through the bends in the river. Claytor Lake and the New River upstream of Claytor Lake Dam to Buck Dam in Carroll County: February 1 to May 31: 2 Walleye per day; no Walleye 19 to 28 inches, June 1 to January 31: 5 Walleye per day; no Walleye less than 20 inches. When you plan a trip on the New River in southwest Virginia, you will be floating into the past. Check out the local guide service for camping and boating opportunities. Box 246, 104 Main Street Since completion of the study, efforts have been made to protect and enhance the native Walleye fishery through selective broodstock collection and fingerling production at hatcheries in Virginia. west of Blacksburg/Virginia Tech). Whether its small mouth bass or giant muskie, the fish are almost always biting. These are published annually in the fishing regulations (http://www.wvdnr.gov/Fishing/Fishing_regs.shtm) and can also be accessed separately from the entire regulation booklet (http://www.wvdnr.gov/Fishing/Regs14/Consumption_Advisory.pdf). A Class II rapid awaits approximately one mile form the put in, followed by several more ledges that produce great canoeing fun. West Virginia's Division of Natural Resources stocks these tributaries each spring with golden, rainbow, brook, and brown trout. About New River Trips - Fishing Guide Guide fishing trips on the New river in VA catching smallmouth, walleye and musky. Take out along Route 625 above or below the falls. Take out on the left bank prior to the Route 601 crossing at Bridle Creek. A nice, 10-car parking area and concrete ramp is available to Allisonia off Route 693 for those who prefer to do a little outboard motoring. A trout stamp is required when fishing for trout. Be sure to probe around the islands for muskellunge, smallmouth bass, and flathead catfish. Techniques that produce these large Smallmouth Bass include fishing nightcrawlers, soft plastics, and top water lures in the summer months. Take out about one mile above Byllesby Dam at a ramp at the end of Route 739 near Riverhill. 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Fish while catching and unhooking it River just under the Route 94 and majestic New River across private property one...
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