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Check it out! Fayetteville has been ranked the #1 Top Mountain Town by the North American Fishing Club.
“Great getaways for diehards who crave something out of the ordinary for their next fishing, hunting or backpacking adventure.”
http://fishing.scout.com/story/1469604-top-10-mountain-towns#.VE5WsNzUyog.gmail
Join the Boy Scouts of America this summer at the Summit Bechtel Reserve and experience all the thrills of outdoor adventure. Day and weekend passes are available for purchase. Read all about it at http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2014/05/08/summit-visitor-passes-let-anyone-experience-the-thrills-this-summer/
Spring and fall are the best times of the year to fish the New River. During these seasons, water temperatures are in transition between cold winter temperatures and warm summer temperatures. Most fish species are more active in cooler water and are more aggressively feeding during the spring and fall.
The best times of the day to fish are early morning and late evening. Most fish prey is much more active at these times; therefore, more fish are out feeding. Some species of fish feed at night, providing anglers an opportunity for night fishing.
CATCHING YOUR FISH
The New River offers anglers the opportunity to catch bass (smallmouth, largemouth, striped, and rock), walleye, muskellunge, crappie, bluegill, carp, or flathead and channel catfish.
Nightcrawlers and hellgrammites are common bait used for fishing. Popular artificial lures are top-water crank-baits, spinner baits, minnows, or crawfish. Dark-colored lures work better in murky water conditions and bright-colored lures in clear water.
The smallmouth bass is one of the more abundant species found in the New River. A variety of artificial lures may be used. Top-water lures used late in the evening are an excellent choice. Live bait, such as nightcrawlers or hellgrammites, can increase the odds of catching bass.
The rock bass is not an aggressive fighter; however, it is an aggressive biter. This species of sunfish will hit anything from crank-baits to nightcrawlers. A preferred lure to use is the twister-tail grub.
The walleye is commonly fished for in the fall when water temperatures cool down. It may be caught using crank-baits, jigs, jig and minnow combinations, and nightcrawlers. You should fish deeper water for walleye.
Flathead and channel catfish can be caught on similar bait. Although channel catfish may occasionally strike a crank-bait, live bait is a wiser choice. Types of live bait to use include nightcrawlers, hellgrammites (both black and yellow phases), and crayfish. Minnows may also be used when fishing for catfish.
The muskellunge or musky can be caught on a variety of crank and spinner-baits. Top-water crank-baits appear to be a successful choice for catching muskies. The musky can also be caught using live bait.
Trout are present in several tributaries of the New River. West Virginia’s Division of Natural Resources stocks these tributaries each spring with golden, rainbow, brook, and brown trout. Trout fishing can be enjoyed on Dunloup Creek on your way to Thurmond. A trout stamp is required when fishing for trout.
Check out Hopper’s Small Town Spotlight on Fayetteville, West Virginia. We sound very cool. Hey! That’s because we ARE very cool!
