- Flowing from south to north (a strange characteristic of this old river), the New River offers a mix of fast-flowing Class II and III rapids as it churns down through high cliffs, deep gorges and lazy flats perfect for float fishing and motorboating. The New River runs through five counties in Virginia--Grayson, Carroll, Pulaski, Montgomery and Giles--before emptying into Bluestone Lake in southern West Virginia.
- This river, which is said to rival the James and Rappahannock rivers as the best fishing spots in Virginia, supports a wide variety of freshwater game fish. Fast water in places overhung with large outcroppings of rock make the New River an ideal habitat for smallmouth bass. Many anglers are attracted to these waters in search of smallmouth, largemouth, rock and three other species of bass. You also can find species of catfish, walleye, perch and sunfish. State records for muskellunge, smallmouth bass and yellow perch have been pulled from the New River. In the lowlands, you can find slow stretches of the ancient river. As you lazily drift past lush Virginia forestland, tobacco fields and remains of ancient Indian villages, you might test your luck fishing for rock bass, flathead and channel catfish, and walleye.
- You can readily find trained guides all along the New River Valley region. When planning a guided float trip down this historic river, you might want to begin by exploring some of the pricing and services offered by some of the largest and experienced guides in the counties that make up the New River region.
In Pembroke, Virginia, in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, about an hour northwest of Roanoke, Tangent Outfitters offers half-day and full-day fishing trips and two-day camping excursions. Anglers can try their luck from either a self-bailing raft or a Drift boat. Prices start at $400 per boat for two fishermen, and Tangent can access more than 100 miles of fishing waters.
New River Angler offers guided float fishing tours for $375 per boat for two fishermen. New River Smallmouth Adventures specializes in smallmouth fishing. Both are also in Pembroke and offer a mix of float and canoe fishing adventures. All of these outfitters require that you bring your own rod and tackle, but they will find the perfect spots for the fish you want to hook.
In Floyd County, Virginia, one of the largest guides is Greasy Creek Outfitters. For a full day, two anglers can spin or fly-fish for $400. The guides for Greasy Creek Outfitters are regular speakers at fishing shows in Virginia and Charlotte, North Carolina, and are highly regarded by the many anglers who have pulled smallmouth, trout and muskie from the New River and Claytor Lake. The lodge and fishing shop at Greasy Creek are in Floyd, Virginia, a small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains, about 40 miles north of Roanoke.
These outfitters come with great credentials and testimonials, and advertise years of service to anglers visiting the New River Valley in the heart of the Blue Ridge. Many other outfitters and guided tours also are available, so the best advice would be to choose the terrain you wish to fish and the type of fish you want to catch, and pick a price point. Chances are you will find a guided fishing tour with any of the respected outfitters listed here, but keep in mind your own goals before making a final choice.