New River
river in Virginia
The New supports diverse fly fishing opportunities from tailwater trout tributaries and Claytor Lake smallmouth fisheries to rocky freestone runs prized for topwater and nymph fishing.
Current conditions are cool and overcast
- 01Current conditions are cool and overcast, ideal for streamer fishing.
- 02USGS flow data is unavailable, so anglers should scout conditions firsthand.
- 03Walleye, Muskellunge, and Smallmouth Bass are actively feeding on baitfish and crayfish.
- 04Focus on deeper pools, current breaks, and areas with submerged structure.
- 05A slow, methodical retrieve with streamers will trigger strikes from cold-water predators.
Past reports week by week
6 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Hellgrammite Fly
Hellgrammites are a consistent food source on rocky smallmouth rivers, making this a reliable subsurface pattern for fall bass and opportunistic Walleye and Muskellunge.
Zonker
A highly versatile baitfish imitation, effective for aggressive Walleye and Muskellunge in varied fall conditions, especially when fished near structure.
Buy at AmazonClouser Minnow (Bass)
This baitfish imitation is effective for aggressive predatory fish like Walleye, Muskellunge, and Smallmouth Bass, especially in clear to slightly off-color water.
Buy at AmazonArticulated Streamer (Drunk Sculpin)
Sculpin imitations are excellent for aggressive predatory fish like Walleye and Muskellunge in fall, targeting deeper holding areas.
Buy at AmazonOlive Woolly Bugger
A versatile and essential streamer for predatory fish, imitating leeches and baitfish, which are consistent food sources in cooler fall waters.
Muskie Fly
Fall is prime time for Muskie, and this large streamer imitates the baitfish they prey on, also attracting Walleye.
Where to fish and who to ask
Claytor Lake State Park
Large impoundment on the New River popular for smallmouth and warmwater fly fishing from boat or shore.
Dublin / Pulaski County Access
Multiple public accesses and boat ramps yielding productive smallmouth sections and deep pools.
Radford Access (Bisset Park / Radford)
Frequent launch and wade access near Radford with good runs and riffles for smallmouth and resident trout.
Fly shops within 40 miles
New River Fly Fishing
Roanoke Angler
Virginia Trophy Guides
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Virginia season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Quick answers
Common questions about New River.
What flies work best on New River?
Our top scored fly patterns for New River right now are Zebra Midge (80% confidence), Black Woolly Bugger (Bass) (80% confidence), Little Black Stonefly nymph (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in New River?
New River holds Walleye, Muskellunge. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is New River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for New River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.