For that matter, any excursion on any Virginia river in the wintertime demands that the float-fisherman exercise caution. Independence to Baywood (12 miles), Riverside to Oldtown (6 miles), and Oldtown to Fries (2 1/2 miles) are some of the milder floats on the upper New, but even they feature some tricky sections -- again, especially, during the coldwater period. Always wear a lifejacket when on any wintertime fishing expedition and portage any section that looks even remotely challenging.

For guided trips with Mike Smith, call (540) 789-7811, or visit his Web site at www.greasycreekoutfitters. com. Smith is a full-service outfitter offering lures for sale and rooms to rent for his overnight clients.

A WINTERTIME LARGEMOUTH HOTSPOT
I asked long-time Richmond guide Roger Jones, who operates Hook, Line and Sinker Guide Service, that if he were restricted to just one place to largemouth bass fish in the winter, where would it be and why. Apparently, Jones operates on the Marilyn Monroe “some like it hot” theory as well.

“The Tidal James, no question,” was his immediate reply. “The big reason why is the warmwater discharge of the Dominion Power Plant at Dutch Gap, which is east of Richmond. The water downstream from the plant is always warmer, sometimes as much as 5 to 10 degrees, than the water out on the main river, which is usually in the mid- to upper 30s to the lower 40s. Below the plant, the water temperature might be as much as 50 degrees.”

Of course, there are other reasons why the Dutch Gap area excels as a wintertime bass fishery. When the water is released behind the power plant, that inflow proceeds into what is known locally as the barge pit. This area is so-named because years ago, the lords of commerce for river transportation made the switch from wooden to metal barges. Needing a place to dump the outmoded boats, the businesses unceremoniously deposed of the fleet in the now aptly named barge pit.

Jones said that he has no idea if the companies placed the barges where they did in order to benefit bass fishing, but regardless of their motives, better bass fishing was the result. In any event, this area is now a wintertime hotspot. And the guide readily admits that it is not a secret to anyone who fishes for coldwater largemouths that it has become quite a community fishing hole.

Nevertheless, he continued, the barge pit receives very little fishing pressure during January.

“At the first of January, some of the fishermen are still deer hunting,” Jones explained. “The rest of the month, some of the guys prefer small-game hunting over bass fishing. And a lot of sportsmen just don’t like to put up with the cold this time of year; they hibernate just like a bear does.

“But I tell you this -- that if you spend eight hours in the barge pit on a January day, you should catch some quality bass. And several of them should be between 2 and 3 pounds.”