We asked New River guides, Shawn Hash (Tangent Outfitters) and Britt Stoudenmire (New River Outdoors) and Rob England (Appalachian Bronzeback Adventures) the same 11 questions. This ancient river that flows north out of North Carolina into Virginia and on into West Virginia is one of the best trophy smallmouth fisheries in the country. Recently it has developed as a reliable muskie river. Any trip can be an adventure with trophy potential. The early summer period is awesome.

Well, here’s what our guides had to say. We hope it helps on your next visit to the New.

What are the smallmouth in the New River doing in June and July?

Shawn Hash: Loving life in the best river around. This is when we get them in numbers. I like to say they are at the oxygen bar. It’s classic summer patterns, hitting the ledges and rocks. We use topwater mornings and evenings. We usually have a high water event and that helps to remove the algae build up. This is the only bullet you have to dodge.

Britt Stoudenmire: Big smallmouth in the New River during June and July are in post-spawn mode. Typically, they are moving from their spawning areas to their summer haunts, which can vary. Some big fish like to take cover in current areas while others like to cruise around big, deep, slow pools. However, during this move, they will stage up in "pre-spawn like" areas and feed heavily.

Rob England: The smallmouth will be very active provided water levels are in good shape. Topwater action can be very good early and late and sometimes

in the middle of the day if there is a bug hatch.

What tactics do you use with clients to catch them in the early summer?

Shawn Hash: I am dead-sticking Fluke guy. I get on flats where less is more. You’d think I’m Charlie Brewer’s son. My guides use circle hooks and Senkos rigged wacky style.

Britt Stoudenmire: I like to focus on these "pre-spawn like" areas as there is usually a brief window that you can target some of the biggest fish in the New River. Many times, these are the same places that I was catching them in March; eddies, current seams, ledge pools, etc. are just a few examples. Typically, very slow and deliberate presentations are needed to get these fish to bite, but in some situations, they will become very aggressive.

England: I like to use buzzbaits early and late and during the middle of the day wacky rigged Senkos if the water is clear. Other good patterns are shaky head rigs with a 5" finesses worm, a Gitzit tube on a slider rig, a ¼-oz hair

jig with a ZOOM crawfish trailer and a Rapala X-Rap X8 is good anytime of the year.

If you only could bring two lures for this period of time on the New what would they be?

Shawn Hash: Case Salty Shad and a Gitzit.

Stoudenmire: Lure selection during this period includes ANY type of soft plastic and ANY type of topwater. A Zoom Super Fluke is a must have, and I never leave home without a modified Rebel Pop-R.

England: I would go with a wacky rigged Senko and 1/4oz hair jig and crawfish trailer.

What is the most important thing to understand when fishing the New in the early summer?

Shawn Hash: Just go and invest your time. It’s going to be good. Get off the couch and do it.

Stoudenmire: The most important thing to understand when fishing the New in summer is that although this is not the trophy period for big New River smallmouth, big smallies are available if you target them correctly. In 2007, during the post-spawn period, we had a client land a 24", 5lb 8oz smallmouth that had just spawned out. This fish was staging on a very shallow current seam and feeding like crazy. I watched several boats fish the deep, rocky banks this day, but this is not where they'll be in June and July. Target the more aggressive feeding areas.

England: I believe smallmouth are primarily afternoon

fish. Fish can be caught early, however you do not have to get out at the crack of dawn to catch fish. I believe the best time to catch smallies is between 2-7 pm. Also, on very hot days look to fish under overhanging trees where there is plenty of shade.

Can you describe a typical day of fishing from start to finish for us?

Shawn Hash: We ease into the day. I like to say the New River fish went to Tech because like college kids, they like to sleep in. It’s 10:30 when fish get going. Through the heat of the day is when the bite develops. If we catch 10 before lunch, we’ll catch 20-30 in the afternoon. We fish later for more fish.

Stoudenmire: We are always thinking BIG, so we usually start the mornings throwing some big, obnoxious, topwater bait like a Lucky Craft Splash Tail, for example. The New is not a great topwater river for consistency-sake, but some very big fish have been caught on top. Usually, the bite will die off as the day moves on, and we'll switch to a more deliberate presentation. Dead sticking a Zoom Super Fluke is a good example or a Berkeley Chigger Craw Texas-rigged dragged across the bottom fished in the locations described above. Any kind weather front, thunderstorm, etc. can trigger an aggressive bite, so always have a reaction bait like a Mann's Minus 1 tied on to throw during these periods.

England: We usually start with a topwater... buzzbait or the new X-Rap Subwalk X8, which is a hybrid topwater/jerkbait. We'll move to soft plastics in the middle of the day and drag through deep holes or under overhanging trees in the

shade.

What can the client expect for an average summer day on the New as far as catch?

Shawn Hash: I’d say probably a lot of fish in the 12-15” range and 1-2 in the 18+” range. As it peaks 40-50 fish are average. Days of 100+ are not uncommon.

Stoudenmire: The New is a big fish river, so never expect a lot of numbers unless you are targeting small fish and throwing very small baits. On average, a "good" day will range from 35 to 65 fish with five or so fish in the 15" to 18" range with one fish at or over 20". A "very good" day will average about 75 fish with ten in the 15" to 20" range. The New River is a highly pressured river so spending more time on it will increase your odds of having those "good" and "very good" days.

England: When water and weather conditions are good, 25-50 fish days are common, although there will be several smaller fish. To get to the bigger fish, you will need to fish the deeper slower pools with soft plastic baits.

What kind of gear to you recommend when fishing the New for smallmouth?

Shawn Hash: I prefer 6’6” medium heavy rods with 8-lb. clear or blue mono test on a spinning rod.

Stoudenmire: Since we are targeting big smallmouth, we don't recommend wimpy gear. Leave those ultra lights at home. I use G.Loomis 6' medium and medium-heavy rods in the SJR series. The SJR723 IMX (6' medium heavy) is a great rod for tubes and jigs with a stout butt section and fast tip for good, hard hook sets. The SJR722 GLX (6' medium) is a great rod for top water, jerks, and cranks. Finally, I am a big fan of the SJR822 GLX (6'6" medium) for dead sticking soft plastics. I use all Shimano 2500 series reels, and I am a big fan of the Saro series. I spool all of my reels with Power Pro 20/6, and if I am using leaders, I prefer the Gamma Edge in 12-lb fluorocarbon to complete the set up. We highly recommend our good friends at Green Top in Ashland to help you get set up correctly for targeting these big New River smallies.

England: I like the Bass Pro Shops 6 1/2' Bionic Blade medium

action spinning rod with a Shimano Sahara spinning reel. Spool the reel with Vicious Fluorocarbon line. This setup for the money is a great deal and a perfect setup for smallmouth fishing for about $100.

Same question, but for muskie?

Shawn Hash: On your bigger spinning reels use 30-lb. braid. If I am just going for muskie, I use a 5500 ABU Garcia with 30-lb. mono and a steel leader and spinnerbaits and crankbaits.

Stoudenmire: One of the best times to target muskies is in the June and July post-spawn period. The state record muskie was caught in June 2008 and weighed in at 45lbs 8oz. Heavy action rods are a must, and most muskie anglers use 50-lb to 80-lb braided line with steel leaders. Some muskie anglers prefer 50-lb to 80-lb fluorocarbon as leader because they feel steel leaders reduce the action of their baits. However, a big muskie can sometimes have no problem slicing the fluorocarbon leader. Most of the biggest muskies caught during this period by those that are targeting muskies are caught at night. However, we land numerous muskies on our smallmouth trips, and to date, in 2010, we have landed nearly 75 muskies in 29" to 38" range on the smallmouth gear described above. Remember, if you are smallmouth fishing and hook a muskie, the best tool for landing them is a Boga-Grip. And if you take a picture, keep the fish horizontal because holding a musky vertically will kill the fish.

England: I like a 7 ' medium heavy baitcasting

setup with the same Bionic Blade rod. I will use 30lb. Fireline to

hold the big Musky's and prevent breakoffs.

Can you offer some insight as to where the fishing is historically (since you've fished it) on the New today?

Shawn Hash: The bass fishing is tremendous. There’s also more muskie than we’ve ever seen.

Stoudenmire: Fishing on the New is at an all-time high for big fish (20" or bigger). I've watched these fish grow over the years, and most of them are from the late-90's spawns that were above average. There are also a big number of 8" to 12" fish from more recent spawns that should have the river set up nicely in upcoming years.

When is your favorite time to be on the river fishing?

Shawn Hash: I like the first two weeks of June and most of September.

Stoudenmire: My favorite time to be on the river fishing with clients is when the big fish are biting. My favorite time to fish personally on the river is when I get time to fish, which usually constitutes between December and early-March.

England: April and October due to the opportunity to catch big fish.

What is the most useful bit of new technology you've found to aid your fishing?

Shawn Hash: For me it’s access to hydrological data so I can get a view of what’s happening in our entire drainage online. Tangentoutfitters.com.

Stoudenmire: Hmm, can't think of any one thing right off the top of my head. However, I would say that all the advancements in the fishing industry as a whole have helped the recreational river angler. Kayaks are a good example.

England: Keep a good fishing log and closely study your

surroundings...bug hatches, bird movements over the water, fish breaking the surface etc. Some days will require out of the box thinking and a change in tactics to find out what fish want.

Editor’s Note: Hash has been guiding on the New for the past 18 years. His business is based out of his shop in Pembroke. You can reach him at 540.731.5202. Stoudenmire has guided on the New for seven years. His operation is also based in Pembroke. You can reach Britt at 540.921.7438. England has been guiding for three seasons on the New, James and Shenandoah Rivers. You can reach him at (704) 455-8753.