What to Do on the New? 

by Michael Blankenship

It seems strange that a landmark so prevalent as the New River is often treated as just that: a landmark.  Forming the northern border of Radford, the New River winds past two public parks, the entire downtown section of Radford, and beside Radford University itself.  However, mention fishing to many students and residents of the region, and the first question they ask is, “Where do you fish?”  Where do I fish!  Where else would I fish but in the New?

The New River offers a variety of activities for those residing near her banks.  As noted earlier, fishing seems like the most obvious form of river recreation, and rightly so.  One would have a difficult time finding a better smallmouth bass river in the country.  However, it doesn’t end with smallmouth; in addition to the Virginia state record smallmouth (7 lbs 7 oz), the New is also responsible for producing the state record Tiger Musky (45 lbs) and the state record Walleye (15 lbs 3 oz).  Although trophy fish aren’t a daily occurrence, the New produces citation sized smallmouth, sunfish, flathead and channel catfish, rock bass (“redeye”), and carp every year.

The New River also offers boating opportunities.  The New is perfectly suited for canoes, but propeller-driven boats can also be used in certain sections.  Be careful when using your expensive bass boats on the river, however.  The submerged rocks and trees that contribute to the great fishing on the New can destroy a fast moving fiberglass boat operated by a careless boater.  Moving through still water as well as rapids (up to class 3 between Claytor Lake and Bluestone Lake), the New offers exciting trips for canoeists who slide over such obstacles with little difficulty.  Boat ramps are located where the Little River enters the New near the Claytor Lake Dam, in Riverside Park, and at Pepper’s Ferry Bridge. 

If you don’t own a boat or canoe, several local businesses offer canoe rentals and sales.  Tangent Outfitters located at 4747 State Park Road in Dublin offers several trips beginning at $15.  Tangent provides all necessary equipment and will even rent fishing gear for $25/day.  Guided and multiple day trips are also available.  These trips are a great way to give canoeing a try with minimal investment.  Tangent Outfitters can be reached at (540) 674-5202. You can also contact Leigh & Britt Stoudenmire of Canoe the New Outfitters, LLC. You can reach them 540-921-7438.

If you decide to buy a canoe, Back Country Ski and Sports offers a great selection of Mad River Canoes.  Selling new and used canoes, Back Country has a staff second to none.  Being canoeists themselves, their sales associates can help you choose the boat that’s right for you.  With two nearby locations in Blacksburg and Salem, a trip to Back Country is a must for the prospective canoeist.  Although both stores have access to the full line of Mad River Canoes, the showroom in Salem has a larger selection on hand.  Back Country can be reached in Blacksburg at (540) 552-6400 or in Salem at (540) 389-8602.

The final activity presented here is one more often associated with seaside towns.  However, it’s not at all unusual to see scuba divers in certain locations on the New River.  With several holes as deep as 70 feet and relatively good visibility, the New River provides some of the best scuba diving around.  Large catfish and carp, interesting underwater rock formations, and a variety of “treasures” lost by careless fishermen and canoeists offer entertainment for scuba divers while the New provides a convenient area to perfect your scuba skills.  The New River Valley Scuba Center in Christiansburg (540) 382-9285 and Diver’s Corner in Radford (540) 639-6478 offer local instruction, sales, and service.

This list is a good start, but there are many more opportunities to enjoy the river.  Bird watching has become popular on the New River in recent years.  Although the lack of public land along the New appears to be a negative, the private lands offer nesting habitat for a variety of waterfowl including herons, egrets, ducks, and geese.  Find out more about Blue Ridge Birding. Soon, there will be a network of Pathways and walkways along the New in Radford, and sections of these trails will be nominated as Birding & Wildlife Trails under a program sponsored by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.  New River Junction in the Big Falls area provides tubing and camping opportunities, while Big Falls offers great kayaking, especially in times of high water. 

The key to enjoying the New River boils down to safety.  Although all of these recreational activities are available, the New River is not a manmade structure or swimming pool.  Wear a PFD (personal floatation device) while enjoying the river regardless of your swimming ability.  Each year someone drowns while being careless or while trying to rescue someone who was being careless within driving distance of Radford.  Unfortunately, the power of the river isn’t always evident from its surface appearance.  Hydraulics, undertows, and hidden obstacles are present throughout the river.  If you respect the power of the New, however, your summers are never boring.  Enjoy the New River, but enjoy it safely.   

River Home                                                                                    URL: http://www.radford.edu/~engl-web/river
Last Modified: 03/22/04
Maintained by: Rick Van Noy
Mail to: rvannoy@radford.edu