This is particularly true of the Montgomery County portion of the New River (from Claytor Dam to Big Falls). In fact, from 1990 through 2003, 45% of all muskie citations registered in the state were caught in the New River.A four year research project on the lower New River muskie population was recently completed by a Virginia Tech graduate student. With over 12,400 acres of water surrounded by 25,600 acres of undeveloped public lands, we are an oasis for many from out of state and right around the corner. Put in at Bridle Creek landing off Route 601 about 1.5 miles south of Bridle Creek community.

There is a fair amount of parkin, we never had an issue. This Virginia Tech study, also funded by the VDGIF, identified a genetically unique native walleye population in Claytor Lake and the upper New River above the lake. There are restrooms next to the visitor center that are open on the weekends too.

I am an hobbyist photographer and the wildlife here is amazing. Some of the largest catches of this fish have come from the area between Whitethorne and Eggleston. Took a little break on this beautiful May day and made my way Down by the River. Take out about one mile above Byllesby Dam at a ramp at the end of Route 739 near Riverhill.This is a short piece of water sandwiched in between Buck and Byllesby dams. It's a great place to take your dog! There are two boat ramps in the Village, both of which are best suited to shallow running jon boats. Be sure to look for signs of blue barrels strung across the river to warn boaters of the impending danger from the dam. And therein lies another quirk of this ancient river – it flows northward rather than southward like most of the other major rivers along the eastern seaboard.
It is also a popular tubing spot for students from VA Tech and Radford University, so expect a lot of activity in the river during the warm months.This beautiful reach is typified by towering cliffs, deep pools, and a few challenging riffles. For the boater, easy water lies ahead along with terrific fishing. Plus, a trip to the historical Shot Tower State Park near Jackson Ferry is a must. Since these streams are primarily on private lands, anglers should ask streamside landowners for permission to fish them.New River-Fields Dam (Grayson County) downstream to the VA-WV state line and its tributaries Little River downstream from Little River Dam in Montgomery County, Big Walker Creek from the Norfolk and Western Railroad Bridge downstream to the New River, and Wolf Creek from the Narrows Dam downstream to the New River in Giles County (This does not include Claytor Lake which is delineated as: The upper end of the island at Allisonia downstream to the dam.) New River Trail State Park hugs the river here. Whether it's camping, hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, or watching nature you'd like to do - Falls Lake has it all! 8 oz. It begins as two streams in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, before merging into the New River four miles from the Virginia line. Short riffle areas are interspersed through this reach, inviting the angler to beach his craft and try flycasting a wooly bugger in the swirling pockets and runs. The current Virginia state record (15 pounds, 15 ounces) was caught from the upper New River near one of these two areas. Check flight prices and hotel availability for your visit. From 1997 through 2003, 190 citation size muskie (15 pounds or 40 inches) were registered in Virginia. A one-mile backwater from Fields Dam, an old woolen mill, immediately greets the boater after launching.
Get directions, maps, and traffic for Falls Mills, VA. A mixed bag of paved and unpaved. Despite stockings of other genetic strains since the 1930’s, this native strain has continued to reproduce, but in very low numbers.Since completion of the study, efforts have been made to protect and enhance the native walleye fishery through selective broodstock collection and fingerling production at hatcheries in Virginia and West Virginia. Many of the major tributaries of the New River provide an opportunity to catch numerous sunfish in solitude. The New River ends its metamorphosis when it empties into the great Mississippi River.Throughout its journey in Virginia, the New River flows through spectacular, untamed mountain scenery complete with craggy rock cliffs and magnificent gorges. This 3-mile hike on the east side of Glacier National Park presents intimate views of two waterfalls on creeks flowing into Saint Mary Lake. Hiking is decent. The hours can be somewhat strange in that it can be closed on the weekends. The lake is … When you plan a trip on the New River in southwest Virginia, you will be floating into the past. Portage the dam on the right side before continuing your journey to Bridle Creek. Anglers have a much greater impact on the smallmouth population than do the muskie. It is a very beautiful and peaceful place.I feel so lucky to live close to the dam. Falls Lake Dam is one of our go-to spots whenever we have guests from out of town. Three other private ramps also give access to Claytor Lake. Muskellunge are stocked from Claytor Dam to the West Virginia line. Although a muskie is an opportunistic feeder and will eat almost anything, only 5% of the recovered food items were smallmouth bass.

7 oz.). If you can pick your way up to Fries Dam one-half mile upstream, sharp rock ledges and deep currents produce trophy smallmouth bass and cannel catfish all the way to the slow waters of Byllesby Dam just below the confluence of Chestnut Creek.