Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders
Durable, breathable four-layer waders built as a daily driver for seasons of wading.
Pack It For: Sep to Jun
Check Price Maker's Page
Rivers & StreamsFly FishingSpin, Cast & Bait
New River (Fries) Fishing Guide
Virginia
The New River in Virginia above Claytor Lake, where DWR expects high catch rates of smallmouth bass and calls walleye bountiful from Fries Dam down to Claytor Lake.
Part of the New River.
Photo: vastateparksstaff via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to the New River (Fries) for smallmouth bass and walleye. November is outside the confirmed prime months here: walleye is prime Feb to Apr.
There are 5 shops nearby (2 fly, 3 bait and tackle), including Academy Sports + Outdoors in Christiansburg. Also nearby: the South Holston River.
Season at a Glance
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Smallmouth Bass
Walleye
Legend
This Month Prime: Top Months Open, Slower Spawning No Agency Season Found
Agency: Virginia DWRSpawning: Virginia DWR: Smallmouth Bass; Walleye
Licenses & Regulations
Most anglers need a Virginia fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state. Seasons, limits, and tackle rules vary by water, so check current regulations before you go.
Parts of the New River
- Main PageNew RiverThe New River from Virginia, where DWR forecasts smallmouth bass, walleye and musky above and below Claytor Lake, to West Virginia's New River Gorge.
- Rivers & Streams · Virginia · You're HereNew River (Fries)The New River in Virginia above Claytor Lake, where DWR expects high catch rates of smallmouth bass and calls walleye bountiful from Fries Dam down to Claytor Lake.
- Rivers & Streams · VirginiaNew River (Radford)The New River in Virginia from Claytor Dam to the West Virginia line, with a flourishing smallmouth bass population and, between Claytor Dam and Radford, some of the best musky water DWR samples.
- Rivers & Streams · West VirginiaNew River (New River Gorge)A big, rocky river through the New River Gorge, one of the best known destinations for trophy smallmouth, walleye and musky.
New River (Fries) Species
Species per Virginia DWR.
Images: Duane Raver and Timothy Knepp, USFWS. Public domain.
What to Use
Fishing In
Fish
Smallmouth Bass
No agency season found
Fly
9 ft 6 or 7 wt rod, floating line, 10 to 12 lb leader. Crayfish patterns, Clousers, and poppers.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodOrvis Clearwater 9 ft 6 wt Fly RodCheck Price
- ReelRedington Behemoth Fly Reel · for 6 or 7 weightCheck Price
- LineScientific Anglers Mastery Infinity Fly Line · 6 or 7 wt.Check Price
Tie On in November
Typical picks from October, our closest listed month. Ask a local shop what is working in November.
- Fly for October · #2/0-6Clouser MinnowSee Options
- Fly for October · #6-10Crayfish FlySee Options
Spin / Cast
7 ft medium spinning rod, 2500 reel, 8 lb braid to a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodSt. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod · 7 ft 0 in, medium, fast, 6 to 12 lb line, 1 pieceCheck Price
- ReelShimano Sedona Spinning Reel · 2500Check Price
- LineSeaguar Red Label FluorocarbonCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Lure for November · 2.5 to 3 inNed Rig · Z-Man Ned Rig KitCheck Price
- Lure for November · 1.5 to 4.75 inJerkbait · Rapala X-Rap JerkbaitCheck Price
- Lure for November · 2.75 to 3.5 inTube Jig · Strike King Tube JigsCheck Price
Picks: general for this fish, each checked against state and federal agency pages, not specific to this water. Ask a local shop what is working.
Gear: rods, reels and lines are starting points, sized from each maker's page. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Buy Local
Shops near New River (Fries):
- Academy Sports + Outdoors, ChristiansburgWebsite
- Virginia Creeper Fly-Fishing, AbingdonWebsite
- The Honey Hole Bait and Tackle, SalemWebsite
Map of New River (Fries)
Planning for a Month
Prime in November
Nothing at its peak this month.
Daylight
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Moon
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Typical Weather
55°F high, 32°F low
About 3.3 in of precipitation for the month.
Typical Flow
1,594 cfs
Most years 783 cfs to 2,936 cfs.
Typical, Not a Forecast: weather from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals at a station about 10 mi away; flow from USGS gauge 03165500, 1929 to 2026.
Also Worth Packing
Clothing for November comes first, picked from typical weather here.
Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Wading Boots
Supportive wading boots with determined traction for a full range of wading conditions, worn over waders or wading socks.
Pack It For: Year-round
Check Price Maker's PageNets & Tools
Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net
A floating trout net with tangle-free micromesh rubberized netting and a flat bottom that supports the fish's weight evenly.
Check Price Maker's PageTerminal Tackle
Northland Rock-Runner Bottom Bouncer
A bottom bouncer with a 10 in stainless steel wire feeler that glides over rocks, logs and weeds, for drifting and trolling spinner rigs and live bait for walleyes.
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer
A 100% merino wool base layer for temperature regulation and moisture management, under waders or a jacket.
Pack It For: Dec to Feb
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Glacier Glove Alaska River Flip Mitt
Fingerless fishing gloves with a fold-over mitt for cold hands between casts.
Pack It For: Dec to Feb
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Frogg Toggs Pro Action Rain Jacket
A durable, waterproof hooded jacket for a wet month.
Pack It For: Apr, Jun, Sep
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Simms SolarFlex Sun Hoody
A UPF 50+ hooded sun shirt with a vented hood and extended sleeves, for long, bright days.
Pack It For: May to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Buff CoolNet UV Neckwear
A UPF 50 sun gaiter for the face and neck.
Pack It For: May to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageWaders & Boots
Simms Neoprene Wading Socks
Worn inside wading boots in place of waders when the water is warm enough to wet wade.
Pack It For: Jul to Aug
Check Price Maker's PageSome links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Ramps and Launches on New River (Fries)
Source: Virginia DWR Boating Access Locations. Hours and fees change; check before you go.
Shops Near New River (Fries)
Farther Out
Guides and Charters Near New River (Fries)
Farther Out
GuideFly Fishing
Appalachian Fly and Yak
Creston, North Carolina
Per their website: Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips, Wade Trips
GuideFly Fishing
Lucky Strips Fly Co.
Bassett, Virginia
Per their website: Smallmouth Bass, Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips, Float Trips, River Trips
GuideFly Fishing
High Country Guide Service
Boone, North Carolina
140 S Depot St Ste 1 828-386-6216
Per their website: Rainbow Trout, Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips, Float Trips, Wade Trips
