Savage Strike Drift Boat Trips
Musky & Smallmouth Float Trips
New River - Virginia
Schedule - May - June - July - August - December - January
Monday thru Friday only during spring & summer
Maximum 2 fisherman - $300.00 (8 hrs)
$250.00 for 1 fisherman
Deduct $ 50.00 per day for a half day trip (4 hrs)
Night fishing trips - average 5 hrs - MUCH larger smallmouth will be caught & musky catch odds increase with warmer weather
$250.00 per night trip for 5 hrs
$350.00 for 8 hr night trips
Virginia fishing license
The quickest and easiest way for non-residents to obtain a fishing license is to go on-line at www.dgif.virginia.gov/. You will have the option of filling out license info on-line or calling Va game & fish to obtain an instant license. [ on-line you can purchase and print] ; by phone you will be given a series of numbers which is your license.
I fish the New River below Claytor Lake Dam in Virginia . Fishing is done from a Clack-A-Craft drift boat built in Idaho and designed for trout fishing western rivers but makes a stable, dry , safe fishing platform chasing musky and smallmouth on the New River. You have the choice of fishing exclusively for musky , smallmouth or both. I provide all equipment . You will need a VERY SMALL cooler for your drinks and food. A RAINCOAT IS A MUST!
|
|
The " SAVAGE STRIKE" drift boat
Debby and I have floated the mighty Snake River in Wyoming, the Yellowstone in Montana and made hundreds of trips down the New River in this drift boat. Yes, it has a few nicks from contact with rocks but there is no comparison between the stability and comfort the drift boat has to offer when compared to a raft. I can speak first hand on this having guided on the New River in the late 90's out of a 16' Maravia raft (same boats as used in the movie "The River Wild") .
The photo's below represent the smallmouth and musky that can be caught at the time of year I currently guide on the New River.
Smallmouth average 1 to 3 lbs.
|
|
| They say a picture is worth a thousand words. A big grin on retired commercial pilot Dick Strohmeier tells the story of this above average 4 lb plus summer smallmouth caught (and released) with Savage Strike Guide Service. |
Fly Fisherman The New is a smallmouth fly fisherman's dream. May, June & July are optimum months for catching bronzeback's on the fly. My personal favorite smallmouth rod is an Orvis Trident 8 1/2', 5 weight with Orvis reel. I welcome novice and veteran fly fisherman to experience smallmouth on the fly from the comfort of a boat which was specifically designed for the fly fisherman.
|
|
|
A early June (2008) night time New River musky.
|
Musky average size is 30 to 45 inches - weight varies a lot - heavier in winter.
My largest musky to date - 40 lbs, 53 " long - caught & released June 2007 . A replica of this fish is on display at the Gander Mtn. store off I-81, Plantation road, Roanoke, Va. A 44 lb striper caught by Debby is also on display.
ALL MUSKY ARE PHOTOGRAPHED AND RELEASED!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accomodations
Beautiful log cabins in a rustic surrounding on the New River are available a short drive from your musky and smallmouth destination. If interested in these cabins visit their website, www.newriverretreat.com
or give me a call for more info. Motels are also located nearby if you prefer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The three photos above are from my trip to Canada courtesy of my friend and long time client Paul Freer.
[above left] A white wolf walks the shoreline while we fished her lake.
[center photo] Paul Freer admires a hefty northern pike as our guide "Big John" looks on.
[above right] The sunset at 11:00 pm on Hatchet Lake west of Sasketchewan.
.jpg)
