New River

Despite its name, the New River is one of the oldest rivers on earth — geologists estimate it predates the Appalachian Mountains themselves, making it among the most ancient rivers in North America. Flowing northward through the mountains of Virginia near Radford and Blacksburg before crossing into West Virginia, the New River is a world-class smallmouth bass fly fishing destination that belongs on every serious warmwater angler's bucket list.

The Virginia section of the New River, particularly from Radford downstream through Narrows and into the New River Trail State Park corridor, offers some of the finest smallmouth bass fly fishing in the East. Big river smallmouth — fish regularly exceeding 18 inches and occasionally pushing 20 — inhabit the deep pools, rocky shoals, and submerged ledge systems that characterize the New River's lower Virginia sections. The river's freestone character means exceptional water clarity for much of the season, enabling sight fishing for individual fish in shallow gravel runs.

Muskellunge are a legitimate target on the New River, with the Virginia section holding a strong population of these apex predators. Fly fishing for musky on the New requires heavy 9 to 10-weight rods, large articulated streamers, and patience — but the reward of a 40-inch musky taking a fly in the current is unmatched in freshwater. Walleye also inhabit the deeper pools and provide excellent early morning fishing on subsurface flies.

The New River Trail State Park follows 57 miles of the river on the old Norfolk and Western Railway grade, providing extraordinary non-motorized access for wading anglers, cyclists, and hikers. This trail access is genuinely exceptional — anglers can park and walk miles of riverbank to reach productive water that sees minimal pressure. Float fishing by canoe and kayak is equally productive, and multiple outfitters in the Radford and Pulaski areas provide craft rentals and guided trips.

Summer mornings on the New River, when the mist rises off the ancient water and topwater poppers explode in the silence, represent warmwater fly fishing at its absolute finest. The combination of world-record-class fish, spectacular scenery, and accessible public water makes the Virginia New River one of the most compelling fly fishing destinations east of the Mississippi.