Shaffner likes to use the same flies and techniques that imitate what the spin fishermen are having success with. If they are using flukes, he has his longrod clients try Clouser minnows, if the former is tossing tube jigs or jig and pigs, then the latter should employ flies like claw daddies or rubber-legged woolly buggers.

Shaffner emphasizes that anglers shouldn't overlook fishing woolly buggers, large nymphs, hellgrammite patterns and even streamers. Dead drift if all else fails.

For topwater action, fly box staples for the guide are poppers, Sneaky Petes and foam sliders in black, yellow and chartreuse. Clouser minnows in green chartreuse over yellow are great for the mid water column, as are sculpin, madtom, hellgrammite and crawfish patterns. For bottom bouncing, the guide opts for weighted streamers.

Possible Trips
This past summer, I found out something about the lower New that I was unaware of: the islands on this section of the river are privately owned. Many times I have seen people camping or having a shore lunch on the river, and these individuals are, in fact, trespassing. VDGIF game warden Lee Wensell told me that if fishermen have an island in mind for recreational purposes, they will need to research it through the county commissioner of revenue in order to obtain permission from a landowner.

Nine possible trips exist on the lower New, and a tenth (Glen Lyn to Shanklins Ferry) begins in the Commonwealth and ends in West Virginia. Many of these floats contain rapids that could cause problems during the often high water of May. Here's a rundown of how float fishermen can avoid or run safely these rapids.

Claytor Lake Dam to Peppers Ferry Bridge (11 miles).
One Class II exists and it occurs near the end of this excursion. Run this rapid down its center.

Peppers Ferry Bridge to Whitethorne (8 1/2 miles).
The infamous Arsenal Rapid is the one to beware, and it looms on the first half of the float. Do not run this Class III on river left, as a major drop exists there, or in its middle. Scoot down the Arsenal Rapid on far river right.

Whitethorne to McCoy Falls (7 miles).
The Class III-IV McCoy Falls rears up at the end of this junket. Take out on river right above this rapid. Under no circumstances, should you run this rapid on river left.

McCoy Falls to Eggleston (2 1/2 miles).
Two Class IIs dot this getaway. The first is at the one-mile point; run this rapid on far river left. The second rapid offers many possible routes.

Eggleston to Pembroke (6 miles).
Three Class IIs exist. The first two offer numerous pathways. The third, however, can morph into a Class III at high water conditions. Portage around it on river right.

Pembroke to Ripplemead. (2 miles).
A Class II lies near the beginning. Skirt it on river right.

Ripplemead to Bluff City (7 1/2 miles).
I do not recommend taking this float in the spring. Seven major rapids exist, including the treacherous Class III Clendennin Shoals.

Bluff City to Rich Creek (5 1/2 miles).
Take out at the Camp Success ramp above the Class III to IV Narrows Falls. Under no circumstances at any time of the year, should float fishermen try to run Narrows Falls.

If You Go
The USGS Website is waterdata.usgs.gov/va. The AEP Web site is aep.com/environmental. For guided trips with Britt Stoudenmire, contact him at Canoe the New Outfitters (phone is 540-921-7438; Web address is www.icanoethenew.com). For guided trips with Sam Rorrer, contact him at 540-382-3216 or www.new-river-fishing.com. For the same with Marty Shaffner, contact him at 336-957-5055 or 957-4630, or www.highcountryflyshop.com.

Editor's Note: Bruce Ingram is the author of the following books (cost in parentheses): The James River Guide ($15.00), The New River Guide ($15.00), and The Shenan-doah/Rappahannock Rivers Guide ($18.25). To obtain a copy, send a check to Ingram at P.O. Box 429, Fincastle, VA 24090.