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Executive Angler

Trip brief · New River

How to go fish the New River

The months we list for the New River are May, June, July, August, September, October. You are inside that window now, so this brief is written for August.

August

No USGS gauge is mapped to this river.

Flies to tie — August

  • Topwater#2-6

    Sneaky Pete Popper

  • Crayfish#4-8

    Clouser Crayfish

Access

  • Bisset Park (Radford)

    37.131, -80.568parking

  • Claytor Lake Dam Tailwater

    37.093, -80.623parking

  • Foster Falls (New River Trail SP)

    36.912, -80.704parking

  • Eggleston Access

    37.246, -80.679parking

Regs — check current rules before you go

Virginia freshwater fishing license required. Smallmouth bass regulations: 12-inch minimum, 5 fish daily creel limit year-round. Musky regulations require a separate license or stamp in Virginia; catch-and-release strongly encouraged. Walleye may have special seasonal regulations in portions of the river; check Virginia DWR current regulations. New River Trail State Park provides legal public access; respect private property outside park boundaries.

Pack list

  • A current state fishing licence
  • Waders and boots you have already leak-tested
  • Net, nippers, forceps
  • Floatant and desiccant
  • Tippet in the sizes the chart asks for
  • Water, sun cover, polarised glasses

Generic gear. Anything specific to this water is above.

Full hatch chart, access map and live gauge on the New River page →