The NEW

[crawdaddy]

Does anyone have a fishing update on the New River or a good website. I usually visit the Radford area but looking to try some new spots this year.

[patrick reif]

last year the New sucked. I only caught half a dozen fish over 18" and none over 20".

Fisheries biologists are blaming the reduction in size and numbers on the drought and flood seasons about 7 years ago...claiming it devastated the spawns for about 4 years and the mature fish are dying off naturally.
I'm not going to argue with the powers that be because they work with this stuff year round, but if that's true, where are all the 15"-17"???? Can't find them in either the Upper or Lower New. 20" fish can still be caught, but it's an increasingly rare find

I made a post on another smallie site years ago about the reduced numbers of fish I was seeing on my trips, and everyone scoffed...I have a way of saying things though. Regardless, people aren't scoffing now because catching 30 smallies in a day is considered a pretty good day, where as it used to be 60 fish/day as a good average.

From what I understand, the WV side of the New is still in better shape.

need to look at the guages before you make that run too. We've been getting hammered with rain as of late

[crawdaddy]

I"ve noticed the last few years that our numbera in catches has decreased as well but its a trip we take every year. Would you suggest another stream?

[Mike Flora]

I agree with what Patrick said...

Didn't call you Patrick but I think you know the other river is blown out again this weekend.

[patrick reif]

I"ve noticed the last few years that our numbera in catches has decreased as well but its a trip we take every year. Would you suggest another stream?

This time of year, it's hard to say. Mike and I were trying for the last 2 weeks to hit the James, but the rains are keeping us pinned down...same everywhere right now.

Coming in the summer is a differant story. The weather is more stable and I'll have hit all the major rivers by then and can have an honest assessment of the quality of fish being caught. It's a hard call right now, but spring weather makes it a tough time to make any road trips in the mid-Atlantic region.

In Va I'd always look at the New, but the James, the Muary, the Holston and it's 3 legs, the Doah, the Dan, the Staunton and a host of smaller streams are well worth researching and asking about...somebody knows something here, there's too many of us to keep our big mouths shut.

In NW NC I'm familar with the Yadkin. Most of my fishing has been in Va. The Yadkin is nowhere near as scenic as the New, but there are some good quality fish here. It's a VERY corky river with it's own moods...some good fishing when the fishing is good though...CORKY!!!!! The conditions can be perfect and you'll only catch a few 12" smallies and spots, or the conditions can be super unstable and you'll put 20 fish over 17" in your boat. I've seen it go both ways several times. CORKY!!!
If the Yadkin is something you want to try, I have a buddy who owns a canoe livery and runs shuttles. He has private access for a takeout and likely wouldn't mind you camping there if you're using his shuttle(can't speak for him though...ask)
http://www.yadkinriveradventures.com/
Here's his link. Tell him you know me if you're intrested.
I work six nights a week and only have Sundays off. I can give you what I can give you, but I can't be there.