New River 2024

mudkart reply :

Out last meandering thread in NOVA got deleted, but, it had, inter alia, a relevant topic I don't want to drop. The New River. I want to go. Let's hear some opinions.

hokiefisherman93 reply :

I would be down for a canoe/kayak trip come spring time

NOVA Angler reply :

Looks like we could get a cabin at Claytor Lake relatively cheap. I don't mind roughing it in tents, but the idea of a heated cabin is very appealing.

http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/documents/feescabins.pdf

I'll start looking for a place to rent canoes/kayaks.

NOVA Angler reply :

Canoe/Kayak rental as well as guided trips here...

http://www.icanoethenew.com/

NOVA Angler reply :

Here is another outfitter...

http://newrivertrail.com/

Thai reply :

Renting some canoes/yaks and a room sounds like a plan to me!

mudkart reply :

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Canoe/Kayak rental as well as guided trips here...
http://www.icanoethenew.com/

This is Stoudenmire's site, I've seen this. There was an article about this outfit, and a float on the New, in one of last years VA G&F issues. I'll look it up.

NOVA Angler reply :

If someone wanted to split a guided float with me, I'd definetly be up for that.

Thai reply :

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If someone wanted to split a guided float with me, I'd definetly be up for that.

How much is the guided float? And if we do this it's going to be a full weekend thing right? So if we do the float there would still be another day of fishing with the other guys right

NOVA Angler reply :

That's what I was planning. Maybe guided float the first day and wading or canoeing the second day. I think a full day float is $400 total. Half day is $285. I also heard the same things as VABasser about Claytor Lake. I think it would be a waste of time to fish with such a great resource like the New River near by.

NewAngler reply :

I'm also down for a weekend adventure. Drive down friday and fish all day saturday and sunday morning, and get back SUnday night...?

Also, I'm interested in following closely behind your guys' guided trip. I'll give you guys $5.

NewAngler reply :

List so far of people in: If you need to pull out at any point take this list and take your name off and repost:

General consensus and telling me the New River for some massive smallies; yay, nay?

Mudkart.

Me.- In for smallies at the New

Nova Angler

Hoki.

Thai.

VABasser reply :

I'm in since I'll already be down here at VT. It seems like this is already the consensus but dont waste your time at Claytor, fish the New. And like I said in my last post before the thread got deleted, I'm on the VT bass fishing team so the information from those guys and my own fishing trips around that time I'm banking on having a good idea of what the fish are doing/hitting. Hopefully that equates to some big smallies for us all. And if NOVA and Thai do a float the day before I'm sure they will have good info for us. Should be a fun time

hokiefisherman93 reply :

When we looking at doing this?

A.Do? reply :

I'm interested but it'd be dependent on the date

mudkart reply :

My idea was the full weekend thing, Fri.-Sun. might be easiest for most people. Depending on the week, i could also go on a Thurs.

When? March? April? April is prob. better for me (and Andrew, the 2nd quarter has ended!). My guess is booking a cabin so far in advance is risky as springtime water levels can wash out the river and our weekend. If I'm way out of the ballpark, let me know.

The other option is to put it off until summer for more predictable water levels, but more fishing pressure, etc.

Just thoughts, lets hear some more.

NewAngler reply :

Let's shoot for pre spawn or spawn, eh?

NOVA Angler reply :

I say we try for early April (2nd-4th or 9th-11th). What's everyone else think? I'm not dead set on a guided trip but I definetly want to do a float of some sort.

Dan: reply :

When does the water warm up?

NOVA Angler reply :

I guess it depends on what you mean by warm. Warm enough to fish or warm enough to swim? Don't smallmouth spawn in colder water than largemouth? I'm not sure on that but I'm sure someone can chime in. Here is an article that says late winter/early spring is best...

http://proxy.espn.go.com/outdoors/bassmaster/members/insider/bmmarchive/story?page=b_fea_fiverivers_BMM0510

Another article that talk about where fishing is best...

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/forecasts-and-reports/smallmouth-bass-river-fishing-forecast.asp

Dan: reply :

Warm enough to wade. Canoeing/kayaking is a lot easier and more comfortable if the water is warm, especially with peddle-drive kayaks. I guess it's not a big deal as long as everyone gets a canoe or kayak or whatever.

NOVA Angler reply :

Gotcha...I have waders that I planned to wear but I guess I didn't really think about it. I will say that if we do a float trip I think it would be much easier to float upstream of Claytor Lake as I don't think you have the currents to deal with like you do below the lake. If you don't have waders so you could stop the canoe and get out and fish some of the fall lines, I think it would make for a frustrating time (I've tried it). I would say that wading in early April is pretty much out of the question without hip waders.

Dan: reply :

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Gotcha...I have waders that I planned to wear but I guess I didn't really think about it. I will say that if we do a float trip I think it would be much easier to float upstream of Claytor Lake as I don't think you have the currents to deal with like you do below the lake. If you don't have waders so you could stop the canoe and get out and fish some of the fall lines, I think it would make for a frustrating time (I've tried it). I would say that wading in early April is pretty much out of the question without hip waders.

Yeah, that was pretty much my concern.

New River reply :

Last year, it was mid-May before the fishing got decent enough to call it good fishing at the least.

This year... the water is even colder.

NewAngler reply :

Welcome new river, glad to see what seems like an expert posting in here. Do you know the spawn time? Please, stay active in this thread. You seem to be what we need.

I've got an extra pair of waders, Dan. Breathable, though.

Dan: reply :

I'd prefer to go when we don't need waders, but that's just me. Maybe New River can tell us how much the fishing would differ before the water warms and after.

NOVA Angler reply :

May would probably work better for me actually... Only weekend I couldn't do is the 14th-16th. Let's see what New River recommends.

XLFISH reply :

I have a trip planned in April but the weather usually gets my trip re scheduled every year. I use Greasy Creek Outfitters. www.greasycreekoutfitters.com The New is the oldest river next to the Nile I believe. The Va state record of 8 and some change came from there. I have used Greasy Creek Outfitters several times and always had a great trip. Healthy smallies that are well worth the trip. April is typically a good month for pre spawn. You may not get the numbers, but 18 inch small jaws are common. Mike Smith runs the service and has a lodge. I was lucky to get a spot in April the last couple of years, but May could be an option for you.

Dan: reply :

I'm down but it's going to depend on the weekend. I think I'm going to forgo the guides and try to figure some stuff out myself.

Those cabins at Claytor Lake State Park look nice and seem pretty reasonable, especially when the cost is split between a few guys.

1inStripes reply :

I stayed in one of the older cabins at Claytor about 4 years ago in January. They are fine, and most are right next to the lake. You could easily do some night fishing off the bank if you wanted. I believe they have built a couple more year before last or so.

If you need any info, let me know. A buddy of mine is second in command at the park there now. Our club has a tourney at Claytor in September, so Im probably going to go spend the night at their house the day before.

VABasser reply :

As far as water temp, I've waded the New with no waders probably mid-April at the earliest the past 2 years. At that time in the year, its pretty chilly, theres gonna be some shrinkage, but its possible. By later April it gets more comfortable. But obviously water temps will vary by year. And outside temp plays a key part too in terms of wading comfort. It's alot easier to wade 60 degree water when its 75 out in contrast to wading 60 degree water when its 55 and windy. And there's no way we can know what the outside temps will be until a few days before the trip. Like NewRiver said, I'm sure all the water temps are colder this winter than ones past.

New River reply :

There can be a few big fish caught in April and May, but the best fishing to me is always June thru October.

It's real easy to hire a guide (if you have the cash), but I can take any of you on the same exact float trip at no cost to you ever.

Come on spring...

NOVA Angler reply :

New River, that's a very generous offer. Thanks! I'm getting pretty excited about doing this!

NewAngler reply :

That is a generous offer. Let's get a date set.

NewAngler reply :

Early May?

NOVA Angler reply :

Sounds good to me. Dan? Thai?

Thai reply :

Count me in

Dan: reply :

I am down for whenever but I think it's really gonna depend on the water temps and the weather.

New River reply :

Early May sounds good, if the river is not high and flowing mud.

hokiefisherman93 reply :

i thought this thread had died. is a weekend trip still in the gameplan?

NewAngler reply :

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i thought this thread had died. is a weekend trip still in the gameplan?

Thats my plan. I'm not driving 4 hours to a day trip. I will be leaving friday after work, and returning sunday after the mid day bite.

hokiefisherman93 reply :

Who all is going out?

A.Do? reply :

I'd like to go! but it all depends on the date you guys choose.

NewAngler reply :

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I'd like to go! but it all depends on the date you guys choose.

I think we've decided on early may, but wont know for certain probably until later.

I'm in, for sure. I get a weekend, and my wife gets to go to VA Wine Country for a weekend. I win.

Thai reply :

Quote

Quote
I'd like to go! but it all depends on the date you guys choose.

I think we've decided on early may, but wont know for certain probably until later.

I'm in, for sure. I get a weekend, and my wife gets to go to VA Wine Country for a weekend. I win.

She's coming? : I think a little of that win should be mine too, I'll make sure to bring glasses so she doesnt catch me staring

Dan: reply :

you're such a perv Thai

Thai reply :

Coming from you thats a laugh...

I've seen the way you stare at the curves on a 20oz of Dew....

And Josh knows I keed I keed ;D

NewAngler reply :

ahahahahaha. No. You wish she was coming. Because i get fishing weekend, shes gets a weekend in wine country.

Dan: reply :

Wait, there's a wine country in VA? Where's that?

NewAngler reply :

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Wait, there's a wine country in VA? Where's that?

Don't know. I drink the good stuff, Yuengling. I think its somewhere west.

Thai reply :

Quote

Quote
Wait, there's a wine country in VA? Where's that?

Don't know. I drink the good stuff, Yuengling. I think its somewhere west.

Funny story, some buddies and I were at his lakehouse in the boonies down on Kerr Reservoir and we went to a little country store, the only one for 30 mile..., and I asked if they had Yuengling. His response was....

wait for it...

"We aint got no chinese beer"

I almost peed myself it was so funny

quanjig reply :

Yennie is my beer of choice as well Dan#, I usually have at least. 12 pack in the fridge at all times!! Best thing to do is go to virginia wine fest at bull run the first week-end in June. Best people watching anywhere!! They usually have a cigar booth as well!! I've been going for a while, used to be out in Plaines va, then they moved it further west. I don't think it did as well so they moved it a little closer to where the food is!! Another nice one to go to is the mt Vernon wine fest. Twice a year. May and September I think. Good times.

quanjig reply :

Wine country= get on 29 and head SW. no less than 20 wineries along there!!

A.Do? reply :

Quote
Yennie is my beer of choice as well Dan#, I usually have at least. 12 pack in the fridge at all times!! Best thing to do is go to virginia wine fest at bull run the first week-end in June. Best people watching anywhere!! They usually have a cigar booth as well!! I've been going for a while, used to be out in Plaines va, then they moved it further west. I don't think it did as well so they moved it a little closer to where the food is!! Another nice one to go to is the mt Vernon wine fest. Twice a year. May and September I think. Good times.

Never been to the wine one but I like the beer festival!

quanjig reply :

I should have emphasized the people watching part a bit more!!

MountAiryEd reply :

I'm heading to the New River next Friday for only the second time (near Radford). Anyone know some good spots to wade? I heard the Parrot area is good.

Dan: reply :

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I'm heading to the New River next Friday for only the second time (near Radford). Anyone know some good spots to wade? I heard the Parrot area is good.

I've waded at Parrot and also at Radford right there by the athletic fields.

newriverfisherman1953 reply :

Parrot area is by far the best location to wade and easiest to get to. Still too cool for me to wade, though. Good luck, and please be careful and mindful of water level. Several people have lost their lives in that area over the years.

MountAiryEd reply :

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Parrot area is by far the best location to wade and easiest to get to. Still too cool for me to wade, though. Good luck, and please be careful and mindful of water level. Several people have lost their lives in that area over the years.

Thanks!

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New River 2024

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