New River (VA)

[Dan:]

Some buddies and I are hoping to fish the New River next month. I was hoping that someone from closer down that way could help me out with any advice about canoe/kayak rentals and what sort of river conditions we should be expecting. We are hoping to stay either near Galax or Radford. We have probably around 5 or 6 guys so we'd like to find a place that either has a nice campground or cabins that aren't too expensive.

[A.Do?]

Also, how is the river down there? is it pretty safe for kayaks and canoes?

[aut0]

While I can't help you with canoe/kayak rentals in that area of the New River, I can tell you that you guys are DEFINITELY going to have some fun. The area around Claytor Lake is some really fun fishing, and right now they're jumping on anything you throw in there. haha. We were throwing Pumpkinseed lizards cut in half on a jig head, and were getting tired of pulling 'em off. This coming from the guy who couldn't catch a cold. haha. I caught 6 Redeyes and 3 smallies, buddy caught 7, over the span of about 45 mins. (evening time, it got dark.)

[aut0]

As far as safety goes, you'll be fine just about anywhere over there, but there are some spots on the Northern side of the lake up closer to Pearisburg and Narrows where the water runs a little quicker than I would care to be kayaking while attempting to fish, but overall you'll be fine.

[bigfruits]

ive heard decent things about these guys

http://www.icanoethenew.com/canoeing.html

was planning on using their shuttle service and float claytor to pembroke this spring.

why not primitive camp? if youre interested in that check out the website i linked. somewhere in there it tells you where to camp for each section of the trip...

ive never been but people canoe and kayak there all the time. theres a few portages however. pm me if you'd like some more info, i got a book and a bunch of saved emails with good info at home...

this forum has tons of new river guys on it:

http://riversmallies.invisionzone.com/index.php?act=idx

[BASSMAN757]

I want to plan a float on the new but dont know where would be the best spot to launch and take out. plus i was wondering how long of a trip we could do

[Aluma-Bass]

that aint nothin a rhino jet boat cant handle Ive seen these boys in the upper james go UP rapids, jump rocks and run about 60mph in less then 5'' of water while dodging rocks  ....you guys oughta give the upper james a shot too some great smallie fishin!

[Dan:]

we're not just chasing smallies...we're looking for muskellunge as well!

are you talking about the jet boats like the VDGIF guys use on the James? I've been to the shop owned by the guy who builds them, or at least I've been told he builds them for the game wardens to use on the upper James. My friend has a custom boat built by him but it's not a jet.

we're gonna be in canoes/kayaks so I don't think we'll be jumpin any rocks  ;D

[burleytog]

Let me know when you guys are going to make it down this way.  If I'm off work, I might try to bring my Old Town up the road.

[TheBeast]

Let me know when you guys are going to make it down this way. If I'm off work, I might try to bring my Old Town up the road.

Got the jon I can contribute to the cause as well, and possibly be able to ride along if the wife doesn't have other plans for me.   :-X

[Dan:]

awesome! I'll keep you guys updated on FB

[Aluma-Bass]

[aut0]

Was that over closer to where these guys are headed on the New?

[A.Do?]

It's going down! Let us know if you're interested!

[SMfisher]

crossed the river today at Radford, the river is up some and not clear.

[Dan:]

SMfisher, are you in that area regularly? We could really use some intel on river conditions in the next few days.

[SMfisher]

i check it about every day, we have had showers all day and only 55 deg. if it stops raining by tonight, friday might be fishable. i will post updates

[Dan:]

that's be GREAT!

[MountAiryEd]

My daughter goes to VaTech.  I realized how good the New was when I visited. I arranged two trips the Friday and Saturday of Memorial Day w/e with Mike Coley of Savage Strike Guide service. A friend and I might get down there early enough on Thursday to wade.  I read the Parrot area is good.  Any other recommendations?

[SMfisher]

went by the upper end of clator lake today it wasn't clear and up a little. has rained most of the day don't know what north carolina has gotten. crossed the river at radford the water was still up and slightly muddy (to high for me to fish). thursday might be the last day i could look at the river i'm going to Petersburg friday.

[A.Do?]

went by the upper end of clator lake today it wasn't clear and up a little. has rained most of the day don't know what north carolina has gotten. crossed the river at radford the water was still up and slightly muddy (to high for me to fish). thursday might be the last day i could look at the river i'm going to Petersburg friday.

Thanks for the update! We really really really appreciate it!

[newriverfisherman1953]

Here is a link to check the water level and flow at Radford:

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/va/nwis/uv/?site_no=03171000&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060

[NewAngler]

Looks like it should be goo then for Saturday fishing. We get that iteneary yet? I'm getting so excited for this.

[SMfisher]

the river is clearing up a little also going down (slowly). talked to a reliable source today he said they were releaseing water every 4 hours for something that was going on down river. the little river and little river dam just below the claytor lake dam is still up and stained.

fishing was tough today i was the only one wade fishing, there was a few in boats and 3 fishing from the bank, did catch a small muskie (31") and 15 bass 1 redeye the biggest bass was 16". was hard to get my bait deep enough where i wanted it, the current was to swift.

was out in the middle and talked to a fisherman in a boat he said there was 7 of them in 5 boats hadn't caught anything today but yesterday they caught 3 muskie and 2 good size bass. they were fishing near whitethorn yesterday. was using flukes and white spinner baits.

if we got no more rain the water should be a lot better by saturday.

  forgot to say what i was using, i used a 5" black senko also green pumpkin with black seeds also in 5", used a jig with ragetail craw caught most of my fish on the jig. caught the muskie on the black senko. tried a few other thing but kept going back to the jig or senko.