Smith River vs. New River: Which Virginia Fishing Trip Is Right for You?

If you’re planning a fishing trip in Southwest Virginia, you have two very different options.

You can chase trout on the Smith River near Bassett.

Or you can float the New River looking for hard-fighting smallmouth bass.

Both are excellent fisheries.

But they offer completely different experiences.

So which one is right for you?

Here’s the simplest way to think about it:

Smith River = trout.

New River = smallmouth bass.

Beyond that, the differences get more interesting.

Smith River vs. New River Fishing

	Smith River	New River
Primary target	Trout	Smallmouth bass
Fly fishing	Yes	Yes
Spinning tackle	Available	Available
Typical trip	Trout float	Smallmouth float
Beginner friendly	Excellent	Good, with a learning curve
Fall opportunity	Excellent	Excellent
Best for	Trout anglers	Bass anglers
Location	Bassett, Virginia	Southwest Virginia

Choose the Smith River If You Want Trout

The Smith River is a cold-water tailwater flowing below Philpott Dam.

Its unique cold-water environment supports trout fishing throughout the year, including wild brown trout and stocked trout in designated sections.

Virginia DWR identifies a 31-mile special-regulation section extending downstream from Philpott Dam, with designated stocked sections within that area. (Virginia Wildlife Resources)

If your dream fishing trip involves watching a trout rise to a dry fly, drifting a nymph through a seam, or throwing a streamer for a larger brown trout, the Smith is the obvious choice.

Choose the New River If You Want Smallmouth

The New River is a completely different animal.

Instead of targeting trout in cold tailwater, you’re pursuing aggressive smallmouth bass around rocks, current, structure, and varying depths.

The New River has a legitimate trophy reputation.

Virginia’s state-record smallmouth bass weighed 8 pounds, 1 ounce and came from the New River. (Virginia Wildlife Resources)

Fall is particularly interesting because bass are preparing for winter and can become heavily focused on available forage.

Which River Is Better for Beginners?

When comparing Smith River vs New River fishing It depends on what you want to learn.

For someone completely new to fly fishing, the Smith River can be a very approachable introduction to trout fishing.

You can learn:

• Casting

• Mending

• Drift control

• Reading current

• Nymphing

• Dry-fly presentation

• Trout behavior

  
  

The New River has a different learning curve.

You’re often dealing with larger flies, heavier tackle, stronger current, larger water, and smallmouth that can move considerably depending on conditions.

But that doesn’t make it a bad choice for beginners.

It simply means that having a guide can be especially valuable.

Which Is Better in the Fall?

Both.

But they’re good for different reasons.

Smith River in fall

Think:

• Cooler temperatures

• Brown trout

• Nymphing

• Streamers

• Changing insect activity

• Beautiful foliage

• Trout stocking beginning October 1 in designated stocked sections (Virginia Wildlife Resources)

  
  

New River in fall

Think:

• Smallmouth bass

• Rocky structure

• Baitfish

• Crayfish

• Streamers

• Surface opportunities

• Cooler temperatures

• Fall scenery

  
  

Historical Virginia fishing guidance specifically identifies October as a strong month for New River smallmouth. (Game & Fish)

What If I Want to Fly Fish?

Good news.

You can fly fish both.

The difference is the style.

Smith River fly fishing

Expect a trout-focused approach involving:

• Nymphs

• Dry flies

• Streamers

• Smaller flies

• Delicate presentations

  
  

New River fly fishing

Expect:

• Larger flies

• Heavier rods

• Streamers

• Surface flies

• Longer casts

• More aggressive fish

If you’ve only ever fly fished for trout, New River smallmouth can be a completely different experience.

And that’s exactly what makes it fun.

What If I Prefer Spinning Tackle?

The New River is an excellent choice.

Smallmouth can be targeted with a wide variety of conventional lures, and spinning tackle makes it easy to change presentations throughout the day.

Lucky Strips also accommodates spin fishing on New River trips.

That means you don’t have to own a fly rod to experience the fishery.

Which River Has Bigger Fish?

That’s a tricky question because you’re comparing different species.

If you’re after trophy smallmouth, the New River has tremendous potential.

The New River’s state-record smallmouth alone demonstrates what is possible in that system. (Virginia Wildlife Resources)

Which Trip Should a Family Choose?

This depends on the anglers.

For a family introducing someone to fishing, the Smith can be a great choice because trout provide an accessible target and the trip can be centered around learning.

For a family with older children or teenagers who want aggressive fish and a more active float experience, the New River can be an excellent option.

The best trip is the one that matches what everyone actually wants to do.

Still Can’t Decide?

Here’s the easiest answer:

If you say “I want to catch trout,” book the Smith.

If you say “I want to catch smallmouth,” book the New.

If you’re still unsure, contact Lucky Strips.

Tell us what kind of fishing you enjoy, your experience level, and what you want out of the day.

We’ll help point you toward the river that makes the most sense.

Fish Both

And here’s another possibility:

You don’t have to choose forever.

A lot of anglers eventually discover that one of the best things about fishing Southwest Virginia is the variety.

You can spend one day pursuing trout on the Smith River and another chasing smallmouth on the New.

Two rivers.

Two completely different fisheries.

One region.

Ready to Pick Your River?

Lucky Strips Fly Co. offers guided fishing trips on both the Smith River and New River in Southwest Virginia.

Smith River: Trout near Bassett, Virginia.

New River: Smallmouth bass with fly or conventional tackle.

If you’re ready to plan your next day on the water, reach out and we’ll help you choose the right trip.

Choose your river. Book your day. Let’s go fishing.