Fall Smallmouth Fishing on the New River: A Complete Guide to Virginia Bass Fishing
If you're looking for an exciting fishing trip in Southwest Virginia this fall, the New River smallmouth bass fishery deserves a serious look.
From the Martinsville and Bassett area and our home waters here on the Smith, to the surrounding New River region, fall offers anglers an opportunity to target hard-fighting smallmouth bass while enjoying some of the best scenery of the year.
As summer begins to fade and water temperatures drop, New River smallmouth bass transition into their fall patterns. For anglers, that can mean aggressive strikes, active fish, beautiful fall scenery, and an opportunity to experience one of Southwest Virginia’s most remarkable fisheries.
The New River is home to an exceptional smallmouth bass fishery, and Virginia’s current fishing regulations recognize the importance of protecting quality-sized bass. In the Virginia portion of the New River from Fields Dam downstream to the Virginia–West Virginia state line, largemouth and smallmouth bass between 14 and 22 inches must be released, with only one fish longer than 22 inches permitted in the daily limit. Virginia DWR
For anglers who enjoy fly fishing, conventional tackle, or simply spending a fall day on the river, October can be an especially exciting time to Fall Smallmouth Fishing on the New River.
Why Fall Smallmouth Fishing on the New River?
Fall changes the New River.
The hot days of summer begin to disappear, water temperatures cool, and the river’s smallmouth bass begin responding to those changes. Fish that spent much of the summer spread throughout different portions of the river begin preparing for colder conditions.
That transition can create some excellent fishing opportunities.
Fall also offers something that can’t be measured on a fishing report: the experience of being on the river when the surrounding mountains and hardwood forests begin changing color.
For anglers visiting Southwest Virginia, a fall New River fishing trip can combine excellent scenery with an opportunity to target one of the region’s most exciting freshwater game fish.
When Is the Best Time for Fall Smallmouth Fishing on the New River?
For smallmouth anglers, the heart of the fall transition generally occurs from September into October, with October being particularly appealing.
As water temperatures continue to fall, smallmouth become increasingly focused on feeding and positioning around the river’s structure and current.
Historical Virginia fishing reports have specifically highlighted October as an excellent month for New River smallmouth, with fish moving between shallow rocky areas and deeper winter-oriented habitat as temperatures change.
The exact pattern can vary from year to year, however. Weather, rainfall, river levels, and water temperature all influence where the fish will be on a particular day.
That’s one reason a knowledgeable local guide can make such a difference.
What Do New River Smallmouth Eat in the Fall?
Smallmouth bass are opportunistic predators, and the New River provides them with an abundance of forage.
Depending on conditions, fall smallmouth may feed on:
Minnows and other baitfish
Crayfish
Aquatic insects
Terrestrial insects
Small frogs
Other available river forage
As the season progresses, baitfish and crayfish imitations become particularly important components of a fall angler’s tackle selection.
The key isn’t necessarily finding one magic lure or fly.
It’s understanding what the fish are eating and where they are positioning themselves.
Where Do Smallmouth Bass Go in the Fall?
One of the biggest changes anglers encounter in the fall is fish movement.
During warmer months, Smallmouth can occupy a wide variety of habitats. As temperatures fall, they increasingly relate to areas that provide food, current, structure, and access to deeper water.
Rock formations are especially important on the New River, as they can be found all throughout the river system and in a variety of locations from the banks all the way out towards the middle.
Look for:
Rocky shoals
Current seams
Deep runs
Ledges
Boulders
Pool entrances and exits
Areas where shallow water is adjacent to deeper water
Current breaks
One particularly important concept is the relationship between shallow feeding areas and nearby deeper water.
A smallmouth may move into relatively shallow rocky water to feed and then retreat toward deeper habitat as conditions change.
That means the best water isn’t always the deepest water.
It’s often the transition between different types of water.
Fall Smallmouth Fishing With a Fly Rod
Fall is an exciting time for fly anglers on the New River.
Large streamers can imitate baitfish, while surface patterns can still produce exciting strikes during favorable conditions.
The exact fly selection should change with the conditions, but fall New River fly fishing commonly revolves around several broad categories:
Streamers
Streamers are an excellent choice when you’re trying to imitate baitfish or trigger larger predatory smallmouth.
Large flies can be particularly effective when water temperatures are falling and larger fish are looking for substantial meals.
Crayfish Patterns
The New River’s rocky habitat provides plenty of opportunities for crayfish imitations.
A properly presented crayfish pattern can be deadly around rocks, ledges, and deeper structure.
Surface Flies
Don’t completely abandon topwater just because summer is ending.
On the right day, smallmouth will still look upward for a meal, particularly when conditions keep fish active in relatively shallow water.
Surface fishing becomes more dependent on weather and water temperature as fall progresses, so it’s important to let the fish dictate the presentation.
What Fly Rod Should You Use?
A heavier fly rod is generally appropriate for targeting New River smallmouth.
Many anglers use a 6- 7- or 8-weight outfit capable of casting larger flies and handling strong river smallmouth.
The goal isn’t simply having enough power to fight the fish.
You also need enough line and rod control to accurately cast larger flies and place them around rocks, current seams, and structure.
A properly balanced setup makes a major difference when you’re casting large flies throughout a full day on the river.
What About Spin Fishing?
You don’t have to be a fly angler to experience the New River.
Conventional tackle can be extremely effective for fall smallmouth.
Depending on the conditions, anglers may use:
Soft plastics
Jigs
Crankbaits
Jerkbaits
Spinners
Topwater lures
Other smallmouth-oriented presentations
The most important factor isn’t necessarily the lure itself.
Presentation is key.
A lure that looks natural as it moves through a current seam, along a rocky bottom, or past a piece of structure can outperform a theoretically “better” lure that isn’t being presented correctly.
Fly Fishing or Spinning Tackle: Which Is Better?
The answer depends on what you’re looking for.
Choose fly fishing if you want:
The challenge of casting flies
Surface strikes
Streamer fishing
A more specialized presentation
The experience of hunting your fish with a fly
Choose spinning tackle if you want:
Easier casting
A wider selection of lure styles
An excellent option for beginners
The ability to cover different depths and presentations quickly
A straightforward way to target New River smallmouth
And you don’t necessarily have to choose one forever.
For anglers visiting Southwest Virginia, experiencing the New River with the method you’re most comfortable with—or learning something completely new—can be part of the fun.
How Big Are the Smallmouth in the New River?
One of the reasons the New River has such a strong reputation among smallmouth anglers is its trophy potential.
Virginia’s state-record smallmouth bass weighed 8 pounds, 1 ounce and was caught from the New River in 2003. (Virginia Wildlife Resources)
Virginia DWR’s trophy-fish records also document numerous New River smallmouth reaching 20 inches and beyond. (Virginia Wildlife Resources)
That doesn’t mean every fall trip produces a trophy.
In fact, one of the most important things an angler can understand is that trophy fishing is never guaranteed.
What makes the New River special is the possibility.
Every cast around a rock, ledge, or current seam can produce a fish that makes you glad you brought the camera.
Is Fall New River Fishing Good for Beginners?
Absolutely—but there is a difference between fishing the New River and learning to fish the New River.
The river contains current, rocks, changing water depths, and boat-access considerations that can make it challenging for someone unfamiliar with the system.
A guided trip can shorten the learning curve considerably.
Instead of spending the first several hours figuring out where fish should be, how to approach the current, and what presentation to use, you can spend that time actually fishing.
For beginners, one of the biggest advantages of a guided trip is learning how to read the river.
Those skills can stay with you long after the trip is over.
What Should You Bring on a Fall New River Fishing Trip?
Fall weather in Southwest Virginia can change quickly, so layering is important.
A typical fall fishing day may require:
Weather-appropriate layers
Rain jacket
Sunglasses
Hat
Sunscreen
Comfortable footwear appropriate for the trip
Plenty of water
Camera or phone
Fishing license
Any personal medications or necessities
If you’re booking a guided trip, ask your guide what equipment is provided before arriving.
The best equipment setup can also change depending on whether you’re fly fishing, using spinning tackle, wading, or floating.
How Important Are River Levels?
Very.
River levels can change the way smallmouth position themselves and can dramatically affect how anglers approach the river.
Low, clear water may allow anglers to see fish and structure more easily, while higher water can change current speed, visibility, and where fish seek shelter.
This is another reason local knowledge matters.
A river isn’t the same every day.
A successful fall strategy may look completely different after several days of rain than it did during a prolonged period of low water.
Why Book a Guided New River Fishing Trip?
The New River is a big, and can be a complicated fishery at times.
You can spend years learning its different stretches, current seams, rock formations, seasonal movements, and productive presentations.
A guided trip isn’t simply about someone taking you to a fishing spot.
It’s an opportunity to learn how to approach the river.
At Lucky Strips Fly Co., we offer guided fishing opportunities on the New River for anglers who want to target smallmouth bass with fly or conventional tackle.
Whether you’re an experienced angler looking for a new challenge or someone who simply wants to spend a fall day on the water, the goal is the same:
Spend less time wondering what to do and more time fishing.
Why Fall May Be the Perfect Time to Visit
There are plenty of reasons to fish the New River during the summer.
But fall offers something different.
The temperatures are more comfortable. The scenery is changing. The river begins its seasonal transition. And the smallmouth are preparing for the colder months ahead.
For someone looking for a memorable fishing trip in Virginia, that combination is hard to beat.
And if you’ve never experienced the New River in the fall, this may be the year to change that.
Ready to Fish the New River This Fall?
If you’re planning a fall fishing trip in Southwest Virginia and want to experience the New River for yourself, Lucky Strips Fly Co. offers guided New River fishing trips with options for both fly and conventional tackle.
Whether you’re chasing your first New River smallmouth or hoping for a trophy, we’ll help you make the most of your time on the water.
If you'd rather spend your day fishing than figuring out the river on your own, Lucky Strips Fly Co. offers guided New River smallmouth trips with both fly-fishing and spinning-tackle options.
The river is waiting.
276-732-0517
Thanks, tight lines;
Matt Tuggle
Lucky Strips Fly Co.
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