News Fly Fishing Blog
Scotty W. shows off his early-spring 5lb 10oz smallmouth.
Scott W. wins the battle with this spring brute that weighed in at a strong 5lb 8oz (22.5").
David A. enjoys a beautiful Sept. day with a 21.25" smallmouth.
Frank C. is all smilles after his May citation that measured 20.25" and weighed 4lb 4oz.
What our clients are saying......
Britt, I can’t thank you enough for the incredible fishing experience I had last week! A 5lb 10oz smallmouth is the fish of a lifetime! It sure was fun especially with Cuddihy in the boat! Enjoy your couple of days off, they are well deserved! Leigh, please let him get a little rest!....Have a great Easter and don’t horst him, now!!!! Scotty W. and his uncle had a great two days pre-spawn fishing this past April '06 highlighted by Scotty's 5lb 10oz (22.5") bronzeback. Scott also landed 4lb 10oz (21.5") and 4lb (20") smallmouths during the trip, and he and his uncle also boated many nice smallies in the 17" to 19.5" range during the two days.

Britt, thanks for the trip Saturday. We both really enjoyed it and had a lot of fun and really enjoyed that section of river. When you get a chance, please email me the pics of the big one. We will be back again if you will have us back. It is nice to go with a guide that guarantees a citation!!! Take care, Scott. Scott W. and his dad are excellent anglers and enjoyed a very nice day (May '06) on the river. Scott landed the big fish of the day, a 5lb 8oz (22.5") bruiser. The two also totaled several more fish in the 18" to 19"+ range.

Hey Leigh and Britt, thanks so much for providing one of the best days I've ever had river fishing. John and I had an awesome time. Smallies across the world are quaking after seeing John's new hook setting technique! David A. and his buddy John from Lynchburg, VA had an excellent autumn ('05) day capped off by an 18", 19" and 21.25" smallie.
I have been meaning to e-mail you with a big THANK YOU for a wonderful time on the New......Britt, you worked extremely hard on the day and the 1/2 day trip we did and it paid off. With great fishing and a fun time. I have told just about everyone what a great time we had and how you handled that raft. I am still amazed at what you do not only physically but how personable and attentive you were to Gary and I while we were fishing. Constantly, pointing out spots to fish and watching either Gary's line or mine and being able to detect the fish before I was even sure it was really there. Let's not forget Leigh, thank you, for shuttling, loading, unloading and the food and drinks. It was a pleasure to meet you both......I enjoyed myself so much that I told Gary that I would like to do it again next year. Suzan and Gary Roberts had an excellent two days on the New this past summer ('05) catching numerous 15" - 17" smallies. We also boated an excellent 20.5" smallie.
Once again, thank you for everything. I cannot begin to say how much I enjoyed fishing with you. It will be a great memory. Only to be topped the next time when we get that 20 (incher). Debby is already talking about next year. You and Leigh take care. John. John B. and his wife Debby had a great mid-summer day ('05) catching a brute 19.5"-er and several 18"-ers on topwater baits along w/numerous smaller fish.
I wanted to email and thank you for your recommendations on fishing the New River. I talked to Dale (Huggins of Short Pump Outfitters and now the Orvis Shop) and decided on Canoe the New for the guided smallmouth trip. Two things impressed me about Britt and Leigh's operation: First, my original trip was rescheduled because Britt called to let me know that the conditions for that day were not good at all and secondly, because the rescheduled trip, this past weekend, was chilly and high winds but Britt was still able to put us on quality fish. Working through snags and a couple of severely bird nested reel, Britt was able to put us on fish for a good portion of the trip. We were on the river for about 12 hours and were catching fish during about 3-4 hours of that time. We caught 20-25 fish ranging from 15" to over 20". It was a long hard day of fishing but was the best day on the water I have ever had. Britt is a great guide and even though he fishes hard he makes the trip fun and gets in quite a bit of ribbing as well..... My first citation came on the last fish of the day and was 20 1/4" and weighed 4lbs 4 ozs. I also caught a 19", 3lb 11oz fish and several in the 17"-18" range. Kudos to Britt and Leigh for running such a great service. Frank C. fished w/us in the early spring ('05) and copied me on this email to Lee Graves of the Richmond Times Dispatch who recommended us.
Leigh and Britt, I can't thank you both enough for the wonderful hospitality and the incredible fishing trip that you offered us Sun. and Mon. I have fished most of my life chasing those illusive Smallies and now I have finally experienced the best fishing trip of my life! It just doesn't get any better than that. The cottage was perfect. I will certainly tell all my fishing buddies and get ready for some phone calls once they see those pictures.....Thanks Again, Scott W. Scotty and his group experienced and incredible two days landing over 150 smallies in the fall '04. They caught 15 fish in the 15"/16" range, four 17"-ers, four 18"-ers, two 19"-ers, two 20"-ers, and one 21"-er.
Dear Britt & Leigh, It was a memorable trip for my son, Ian, and I......I wanted it to be a trip he will reflect on 30 years from now and it measured beyond my expectations. Thanks for the great day. With greatest respect, Scott B. Scott and his son Ian had a remarkable August ('04) day on the New totaling three 14"-ers, three 15"-ers, two 16"-ers, two 17"-ers, and two three pound 18"-ers. Their 12 best fish totaled over 200"+. Scott also battled a 40"+ musky that aired right in front of the raft. Awesome day with awesome people!!
Britt & Leigh, The pleasure was all ours! (We saw the no pic section) Rob & I had an absolute blast and hope that the late night hour did not upset Leigh. Britt, you were an awesome guide and river companion for us! Thanks so much for your generosity in "extending" the day during our fishing frenzy. Take care & God bless! Peace, Regina V. Rob and Regina were awesome customers totaling over 100 fish on their 1st wedding anniversary in August 2004. Rob caught a nice 17” smallie while Regina caught a great 16” smallie.
Britt, Thank you again for a great day on the "river". Tom had a ball and was one beat puppy.........he said that he had never spent 11 hours in a boat with two other folks that talked fishing the whole time and expected him to cast accurately all the time. He was pleased as punch!!!!!!!!!!! Me, too! Great job.....it was my pleasure to share a boat with you! Tight lines,Toby Late-friend and client Toby B. and Tom R. from Richmond, VA had a great fall day on the water in October 2004. Toby caught his birthday present, a monster 21" citation smallie that weighed 5lb.
We got to the river Sunday morning about 8am and one look told me that we were not going to have a very good day and certainly were not going to fish the fly rods. I was half right. While I did try the long rod off an on, our fish came on conventional tackle....Scott had the first citation on within a hour of leaving the launch area, a solid 20 and a half inch fish. We totally lost count of the fish we caught but estimates ran between 150 and 200 smallmouth between the four of us over the two day period. The amazing thing to me was the size of the fish we were catching. Fifteen, 16, 17 and 18 inch fish all day long. In addition to Scott's citation I had two, a 21+ in the morning and another 20+ in the afternoon. I'm not sure of the count but I think we measured three or four fish that were at or over 19". I have fished and guided on a lot of smallmouth water and this had to be the best two days of smallmouth fishing I have ever seen. Guide Dale Huggins of Short Pump Outfitters (now w/the Orvis Shop) in Richmond, VA comments on his extraordinary fall '04 trip with Canoe the New.
Canoe the New Outfitters & Guide Service 1112 Wenonah Ave. Pearisburg, VA 24134 540-921-7438

© 2003 - 2006 by Canoe the New Outfitters, LLC