SMALLMOUTH BASS
Chasing the Fightingest Fish in Fresh Water
Virginia is blessed with a great volume of world-class smallmouth bass water, and southwest Virginia houses a great proportion of it.
Our float trips targeting the hard-fighting smallmouth bass are primarily conducted on the New River. Formed before the Appalachian Mountains, themselves, the New River is the grandfather of Virginia's warmwater fishery and is perhaps the premier smallmouth fishery in the country, regularly producing fish between 20 and 24 inches. The incredibly scenic New River flows over 160 miles through southwest Virginia, from the highlands on the North Carolina border to West Virginia, through rural country and high rock palisades, making it one of our most scenic rivers.
When conditions allow, we also float some smaller, more remote rivers that are home to remarkable populations of smallmouth bass. These fish see relatively little fishing pressure and are a pleasure to chase in an intimate environment.
Float trips are conducted out of a 15-foot NRS Expedition raft outfitted with an NRS fishing frame, and generally cover between five and 10 miles of river to give clients access to as many fish as possible in a given day. If you want to comfortably cover miles of river while casting streamers and topwater bugs to the fightingest fish in fresh water, this is the trip for you. This is also an ideal trip for novice anglers and group parties. Click HERE to get a glimpse of the action.
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Rates:
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Full day float trip for 1 or 2 anglers - $400
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We don't fish by a clock, but are on the water for at least 8 hours.
Rods, reels, flies, and other tackle are included. Lunch, drinks,
and photos from the day are also provided. Several days prior to
your booked date, we'll work out a meeting time and location, and
discuss lunch options.
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- Note: Ask about group rates for larger parties, or check out our
Wine & Smallmouth Lodging Package page.
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What to Bring:
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Waders (in cold water months--no studs)
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Appropriate clothing
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Rain gear
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Polarized sunglasses
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Fishing license
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License Requirements:
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A Virginia freshwater fishing license is required. You can
purchase yours here.
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Payment:
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A 25% non-refundable deposit is required at the time of
booking, and can be paid by check or PayPal towards the total
cost of the trip. The remainder is to be paid on the day of the
trip by check or cash. In order to better serve you, in the event
of inclement weather or poor water conditions, as determined
by Matt Reilly, deposits can be put towards a rescheduled date
within a year's time.
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- Note: Listed rate does not include gratuity.
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Gratuity:
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Choosing what to tip can be confusing. Generally, throughout
the service industry, 20% of the trip rate is standard given you
enjoyed your time on the water and your guide. We give 110%
to our clients on the water every day in order to ensure that
you have a memorable, relaxing, and educational adventure that
will stick with you forever. It's our passion and why we do what
we do.
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The New River can't be beat for scenery, and regularly produces smallmouth bass between 20 and 24 inches.
There's no better way to enjoy a day than by floating through the Appalachian Mountains casting to hard-fighting smallmouth.
A happy angler with a trophy New River smallmouth taken on a topwater bug.