New River Fly Fishing
The New River is one of Virginia’s premier warmwater fisheries, known for outstanding smallmouth bass, trophy- class musky, and healthy populations of walleye and other gamefish. Its mix of broad pools, rocky ledges, and steady current creates a river that is both scenic and full of opportunity. At Blue Ridge Fishing Adventures, we guide float trips along the Virginia section of the New River, using rafts to access productive stretches that hold fish throughout the year. With clear instruction and thoughtful teaching, we help anglers step into this historic river with confidence.
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If you want a river that offers steady action, powerful fish, and the beauty of Southwest Virginia, the New is one you should experience.
What Makes the New River Special
The New River stands out as one of the oldest rivers in North America, cutting a bold path north through the mountains of Virginia. Its varied structure supports one of the strongest warmwater fisheries in the region. Smallmouth bass grow exceptionally well here and consistently reach impressive size. The river also supports natural reproduction of musky, and its New River strain walleye is managed carefully by Virginia DWR. For anglers who want a mix of numbers and the potential for a true trophy, this river offers both.
The guiding experience shifts as the New River moves through Virginia, and each section offers its own character and opportunity. The upper reaches near Grayson and Carroll counties provide gentle riffles and long pools. The middle section around Claytor Lake and Radford features deeper bends and tailwater influenced currents. The lower stretch in Giles County picks up gradient and offers some of the most rugged water in the state.
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Key features along the river:
• Gentle riffles, broad pools, and classic smallmouth structure
• Deep bends, rocky banks, and cold tailwater influence below Claytor Dam
• Faster gradient in Giles County with ledges, seams, and deep pockets
• Consistent holding water such as undercut banks and rock shelves
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Seasonal fishing stays strong throughout the year. Summer brings reliable topwater opportunities, while spring and fall offer excellent streamer and subsurface fishing. Winter rewards slower presentations in deeper water. Musky concentrate around structure rich areas during colder months, and walleye peak from late winter into early spring as they move into spawning zones.
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The New River has long served as a natural corridor for communities and wildlife in Southwest Virginia. Today, it remains a place where anglers can experience mountain scenery, quiet stretches of flowing water, and a landscape full of biodiversity.
Why Fish the New River With Us
Fishing the New River is about understanding how to read warmwater structure, approach fishy water with confidence, and adjust technique as the river shifts from wide pools to fast channels. With the right guidance, anglers of all experience levels can enjoy steady action and chances at memorable fish. Our goal is to simplify the learning curve and bring you into productive water with clear instruction and relaxed, supportive teaching.
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Instruction centered guiding
We break down casting, reading current seams, lure and fly selection, seasonal behavior, and presentation in a way that helps every angler improve.
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Access to multiple sections of the river
We guide a variety of stretches throughout the Virginia section and match the water to conditions, season, and your goals for the day.
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Knowledge of species specific patterns
Smallmouth, musky, and walleye each require different approaches. We help you understand where they hold, how they feed, and how to target them effectively.
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Float based fishing
Rafts give you access to long runs, deep ledges, and places that are difficult to reach on foot. Floating these sections allows you to cover more water and increase your opportunities.
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Beginner and experienced anglers welcome
Whether you are learning warmwater techniques or pursuing your first musky, we adapt the day to your skill level and goals.
Float Trips on the New River
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Float fishing is the best way to experience the variety of water the New River offers in Virginia. Wide pools, rocky shelves, submerged timber, and oxygen rich currents give anglers a mix of structure rarely found in one river. We use a combination of flies and light tackle depending on your preference and the time of year. Smallmouth are targeted with topwater, streamers, and subsurface patterns. Musky are approached with large, slow moving fly presentations near structure. Walleye are fished in deeper channels and tailwater influenced areas.
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Covering long stretches by boat allows us to find active fish, move through changing conditions, and reach productive water that would be difficult to access otherwise.
A Day Focused on Learning and Enjoyment
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Every trip begins with a clear plan based on flow, clarity, water temperature, and seasonal patterns. We explain the approach for the day and help you understand the techniques that give you the best chance for success. Whether we are casting topwater flies to shallow banks, drifting streamers along ledges, or working deep pools for walleye and musky, your guide keeps the day supportive, hands on, and focused on helping you grow as an angler.
Ready to Experience the New River?
If you want a river known for its strong smallmouth population, real trophy potential, and beautiful mountain scenery, the New River is a destination you should experience. With a knowledgeable guide who understands the upper, middle, and lower stretches of the Virginia section, your day on the water becomes even more rewarding.
Book a trip today and let Blue Ridge Fishing Adventures show you the best of the New River.