New River
river in West Virginia
A freestone river famed for smallmouth bass in the gorge and trout in upper tributaries; offers technical wading and bank access in the New River Gorge National Park.
October Caddis hatches are possible during warmer
- 01October Caddis hatches are possible during warmer, late afternoon periods.
- 02Midges remain a consistent subsurface food source as water temperatures drop.
- 03Terrestrials like beetles and grasshoppers may still be dislodged near banks on milder days.
- 04Smallmouth bass will gravitate to deeper runs and rocky structures.
- 05Bluegill and redear can be found near abundant weed lines and slower eddies.
Past reports week by week
7 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Crayfish (Fly) (Olive/Rust)
Crayfish are a primary food source for smallmouth bass and bluegill in rocky areas, making this a crucial subsurface pattern in fall.
Zebra Midge
Midges are a primary and consistent food source year-round in cooler waters, making this an effective subsurface searching pattern for bluegill and redear.
Buy at AmazonHellgrammite Fly
Hellgrammites are a consistent food source on rocky smallmouth rivers year-round, making this a reliable subsurface pattern for fall bass, bluegill, and redear.
Black Woolly Bugger (Bass)
An essential fall to winter pattern for New River smallmouth and bluegill; its movement triggers strikes even when stripped very slowly through deep wintering holes.
Beetle #14
Terrestrial beetles are often dislodged from streamside vegetation in early fall, effective for bluegill and smallmouth bass looking for surface food near shaded banks.
October Caddis (Dry)
The October Caddis is a significant fall hatch in many rivers, providing an opportunity for surface feeding from bluegill and smallmouth bass.
Buy at AmazonPopping Bug (Bass)
On warmer fall days in southern regions, topwater action can still occur, and this popper creates an enticing surface disturbance, drawing aggressive strikes from sunfish and bass.
Where to fish and who to ask
Fayetteville / New River Gorge Bridge Access
Primary put-ins and wading reaches near Fayetteville and the New River Gorge Bridge; heavy boat traffic but excellent smallmouth water.
Hinton / Upper New River
Upper freestone reaches above the gorge with good trout and smallmouth; popular launch point for longer float trips.
Sandstone Falls / Alderson Area
Boulder-strewn sections and riffles below Sandstone Falls known for concentrated smallmouth and technical fly fishing.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Cool Water Outfitters
New River Gorge Outfitters
The West Virginia Experience
First Light Outfitters
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West 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 Woolly Bugger (Black/Olive) (80% confidence), Clouser Minnow (Bass) (80% confidence), San Juan Worm (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 Bluegill, Redear. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
What are current flow conditions on New River?
Live USGS streamflow readings for New River are charted in the sidebar of this page and updated automatically from the nearest gauge.
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.