Labor Day Weekend Wind - September 6th, 2026

 

Brad and I battled the wind on a holiday weekend Sunday afternoon. Pressure was higher and haul was lighter but we still had a good evening 

Total Fish = 27

Biggest Fish = 13.5”

Best 5 Fish =  58.5”

Minutes per Fish = 5.55

2026 Annual Fish Catch Total =  1,086

2026 Miles Fkoated = 163.0 

August Heat - August 30th, 2026

 

Brad and I fished Sunday evening in the heat and humidity. Some passing clouds turned the bite on pretty good and fishing pressure seemed close to non existent. 

We caught 67 total fish in 3 hours and missed many more. Both of us got broke off by what I suspected were Muskies. 

Total Fish = 43

Biggest Fish = 14”

Best 5 Fish = 61”

Minutes per Fish = 4.18

2026 Total Fish = 1,063

2026 Miles Floated = 159.75

Millenial Mark - June 28th, 2026

 

I went out solo in an effort to get over the 1,000 fish mark for the year. I wanted to get over this mark before the July 4th holiday weekend that brings so much fishing pressure to the area. I found what I needed plus some but the day was relatively sparse for size compared to the day prior. This is the earliest I have ever passed the 1,000 fish mark on the calendar. It usually takes till August or September to achieve. This year we have not had a high water event since February and it has given me a lot of time to fish clean clear water. 

Total fish = 44

Biggest Fish = 13.5"

Best 5 Fish = 57.5'

Minutes per Fish = 4.0

2026 Fish Catch Total = 1,020

2026 Miles Floated = 156.45 

Right After the Rain Stops - June 27th, 2028

 

After rain all evening Friday and all morning Saturday, Brad, Colt and I headed out for a short but effecient float ont the New. We were trying to captitalize on rising water before it got high. The fish were very active and we had an big up tick in bigger fish activity. I caught a nice one and lost a 20' fish right at the boat on a jump, Brad caught a good one and we saw another good one get caught. The wind left us alone enough to be able to fish making for a nice Saturday evening on the river. 

 

Total Fish = 47

Biggest Fish = 17.5"

Best 5 Fish = 64"

Minutes Per Fish = 3.8

2026 Annual Fish Catch Total = 976

2026 Miles Floated = 153.0

Summer Pattern - June 16th, 2026

 

The summer pattern of spread out fish, lots of small fish with only the occasional big bite is upon us. I fished from 6am to 9:30am this morning landing lots of little fish, missing many more. Saw a family of otters in their usual spot. I have fished 5 of last 8 days and in need of a break at this point. 

Total Fish = 44

Biggest Fish = 15.75"

Best 5 Fish = 63"

Minutes Per Fish = 4.77

2026 Annual Fish Catch Total = 927

2026 Miles Floated = 149.27

Homebase Return Float - June 12th, 2026

 

Rick and I floated the New in H town early. The bite was steady and mostely small fish which is typical for June fishing. Still a pretty day and the good day to be on the river. Today makes four days in a row on the river and 40.35 miles floated  during that span... needless to say I am getting pretty worn down. 

Total Fish = 52

Biggest Fish = 14.25"

Best 5 Fish = 67.25"

Minutes Per Fish = 5.19

2026 Fish Catch Total = 883

2026 Miles Floated = 145.2

Lower New River Day 3 AM (Baywood to Riverside) - June 11th, 2026

 

Mike and I refished the most productive section we could find on our last day. So many other floats we drove to and scouted were low, flat, with a lot of silt and almost no current or stucture. At least here we know there is good structure and fish. You don't leave fish to find fish comes to mind. The bite this morning was not as good as the day prior but the morning sunrise was spectactular. The heat took off really hard with some humidity once the fog burned off. Overall the trip was good. We had fun fishing it. I learned on this trip that the New River fishes like three differnt rivers. The lower New fishes a lot like South Branch of the Potomac, the middle New is home and really the sweet spot for structure and smooth floats, and the lower New is a class IV filled monster that goes the other direction hard. 

Total fish = 27

Biggest Fish = 13"

Best 5 Fish = 54"

Minutes Per Fish = 11.1

2026 Fish Catch Total = 832

2026 Miles Floated = 140.23

Lower New Day 2 PM (Baywood to Riverside) - June 10th, 2026

 

Normally I detest mid day float fishing trips in the summer on the river, but we decided we may be able to do well given the wind laying and storms forming off in the distance.We refloated the Baywood to Riverside float from 12:30pm to 6pm. We paddled through two roughly mile long flat sections that had no chance to hold fish.  The fishing was really good and the fish were active. The only other anglers we saw were a guide boat with two fly anglers in it. We didn't catch any giants but it was a lot of action on this float especially for a mid day. 

Total Fish = 47

Biggest Fish = 13.75

Best 5 Fish = 62.25"

Minutes Per Fish = 5.74

2026 Fish Catch Total = 805

2026 Mile Floated = 132.42 

Lower New Day 2 AM (Ivanhoe to Austinville) - June 10th, 2026

 

This float was something of a mixed bag. Parts of it were really slow and very silted in. Other parts had a lot of good rock structure with good flows and nice runs. I landed a nice fish and Mike got broke off by a really good one right at the take out in Austinville. The wind kicked up around 9:30 and limited our opportunity some. 

Total fish = 17

Biggest Fish = 18.25

Best 5 Fish = 65.25

Minutes Per Fish = 12.3

2026 Fish Catch Total = 758

2026 Niles Floated = 124.29