- (252) 945-9715
- RICHARD@TARPAMGUIDE.COM
The New River is one of the most famous smallmouth bass fisheries in the continental United States. Geologically ancient and considered one of the oldest rivers in the world, it is among the few major rivers in North America that flows northward. It originates in the high country of North Carolina, traveling north through Watauga and Ashe Counties before the South and North Forks merge near the Virginia line to form the mainstem.
From there, the New flows approximately 160 miles through picturesque pastoral valleys in Virginia before entering Claytor Lake and then Bluestone Lake in West Virginia. Below Bluestone, the river tumbles through the rugged New River Gorge National Park before eventually feeding the Ohio River and the mighty Mississippi. It has been featured in countless fishing publications nationwide, and it is truly one of the wildest and most scenic rivers in the East.
The New River is a big river, and that scale defines the experience. Wide braided channels, boulder gardens, long shoals, powerful rapids, gorges, grass beds, and island-studded runs make every float feel like an expedition. You’ll spend 7 to 8 hours on the water in our Flycraft raft while Capt. Richard rows and positions you for the best casts.
The size and sheer volume of the river means there is structure everywhere — and smallmouth stacked in all of it. Rock gardens, submerged ledges, current seams, riffles, undercut banks, and deep bends all hold fish throughout the season. The fishing is active the entire float. On most trips, you’ll have miles of river largely to yourselves.
The New River supports outstanding populations of virtually every major freshwater game fish in Virginia. Smallmouth Bass are the primary target, but the river also holds Spotted Bass, Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Striped Bass, Hybrid Striped Bass, Muskellunge, Walleye, Black Crappie, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Yellow Perch, Redbreast Sunfish, and Bluegill.
The New River is home to legitimate state records — including Muskellunge (45 lbs. 8 oz.), Smallmouth Bass (8 lbs. 1 oz.), and Walleye (15 lbs. 15 oz.). The river is expected to yield new state records in the future, and that could be your name in the record books. Most fish we catch are in the 10 to 17 inch range, fish over 18 inches show up regularly, and 20-inch trophy smallmouth are always in play on a river with this kind of history and size.
Most fish we catch are 10 to 17 inches. Fish over 18 inches appear often, and 20-inch trophies are possible. A 20-inch smallmouth could be 20 years old, surviving many of nature’s ups and downs. The New River is known for size and numbers, with strong, well-conditioned fish.
Choose from full-day float trips or multi-day fishing packages with lodging on Southwest Virginia’s premier smallmouth rivers.
The New River originates in the mountains of North Carolina and flows north through Virginia and into West Virginia, passing through New River Gorge National Park. We fish the Virginia sections of the river, which offer exceptional smallmouth habitat and scenery.
The New has an extraordinary variety of smallmouth habitat — big rapids, gorges, shoals, rock and boulder gardens, grass beds, braided channels, and islands. Combined with the size and volume of the river, it creates ideal conditions for large, well-conditioned fish. It has produced state records in multiple species and is widely regarded as one of the top smallmouth rivers in the country.
While smallmouth bass are the primary target, the New River holds an impressive variety of species, including Walleye, Muskellunge, Striped Bass, Hybrid Striped Bass, Rock Bass, Spotted Bass, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Channel and Flathead Catfish, Yellow Perch, Redbreast Sunfish, and Bluegill.
Most fish are in the 10 to 17 inch range. Fish over 18 inches show up regularly, and 20-inch trophy smallmouth are always possible. The Virginia state record smallmouth — 8 lbs. 1 oz. — came from the New River.
Our season runs mid-May through mid-August. Prime weekends fill early. Give us a call to lock in your dates.
