Smallmouth Fishing in the New River Gorge
The New River Gorge is located in southern West Virginia and has fishing opportunities for a variety of species. The river is primarily a smallmouth bass fishery but anglers can also catch walleye, musky and catfish. The scenic river runs through remote mountains and float fishing from a dory or raft is the standard. Anglers can also wade fish in areas but floating is more effective.
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Fly Fishing
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Fly fishing is gaining popularity for chasing smallmouth bass in the New River Gorge. Fly anglers can cast top water poppers against log jams and structures or swing streamers beneath undercut banks. Top water does not always catch the largest fish but it does create exciting action during the summer months. Streamers are most effective during the fall when water temperatures begin to cool.
Conventional Tackle
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Conventional tackle anglers typically use lures when fishing from a moving boat. Casting red and black spinners with marabou tails, silver and gold spoons and top water plugs is effective throughout the season. Cast ahead of the boat and retrieve at a moderate pace. You can also troll lures through deeper slots by letting them sink behind the boat.
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Float Fishing
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The New River Gorge is a large, rugged area contained by National Park boundaries. The best way to access the river is by floating with a raft or river dory. Overnight rafting trips can be accomplished as a means of extending the time spent fishing. The spring runoff can cause the river to swell and floaters must be prepared for whitewater conditions. Summer and early fall are the prime floating months.
Considerations
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The New River Gorge is a destination fishery with large smallmouth bass. Although other species are available, it is a rare opportunity to target smallmouth bass over 5 pounds with lures and flies. The river is also family-friendly as a scenic area with whitewater rafting and hiking.
Expert Insight
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It is beneficial to hire a guide for the first trip down this river. The river has whitewater rapids and hazards that must be navigated by professional rowers. Hiring a guide also allows you to spend more time fishing and relaxing on the boat. It should also be noted that all anglers must possess a current West Virginia fishing license for the river.
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References
- Photo Credit river raft image by robert stahl from Fotolia.com
