Guide Marty Pribil of Class VI River Runners in Lansing with a fine New River smallmouth, which was caught in the section known as "the Grand Canyon of the East." Photo by Bruce Ingram

The article instructions that long- time editor of this magazine, Ken Freel, gave me were quite explicit. Why don't you, he suggested, tell readers about the "fabulous smallmouth action found around rapids" on some of West Virginia's major rivers. But the problem was that I had enjoyed some pretty fantastic action on the New River with guide Marty Pribil of Class VI River Runners in Lansing, on the Gauley with fellow Class VI guide Brian Hager, and on the Shenandoah while kayaking down the famous Stair Step section with River Runners in Harpers Ferry. Which river should I concentrate on?

Once again, though, Freel had a suggestion: Why not cover all three? With those directives in mind, what follows is where to find some of the best whitewater action, not only in the Mountain State, but also anywhere in the Southeast or Northeast. However, I must emphasize several very important facts about swift-water smallmouth sport in this state.

First, right now during the midsummer period is the No. 1 time of the year to go. The water is at its warmest and water levels should be favorable. I definitely do not recommend taking whitewater excursions during the cold weather months. Make no mistake, there is danger involved in coursing across or through a Class III or IV rapid. A spill during the cold weather could quickly result in hypothermia.

Second, unless you are an expert rafter or kayaker, you should not attempt to run these trips by yourself or even with friends. Every year inexperienced paddlers die on our state's streams. Contact a professional rafting company or call a convention and visitors' bureau and have the agency recommend local companies that have good reputations for safety and service.

And, third, even if you are an expert canoeist, I recommend that no canoe or johnboat be used to navigate these waters. Big water means that rafts, kayaks, dories and craft of that ilk are the boats of choice.

THE NEW RIVER
Of course, the New River is the first stream that West Virginia sportsmen typically think about when the subject is whitewater bassing. Certainly one of the premier swift- water sections of the New is from Thurmond to Fayetteville. This float, which covers 13 1/2 miles, features technical Class IV-V rapids, numerous Class IIIs and IIs and plenty of Class Is and riffles. At Thurmond, the put-in is on the river's left bank at Dunloup Creek. This ramp can be reached by means of county Route 25, also known as McKendree Road, via U.S. Route 19 -- a major artery for southern West Virginia and one that runs north-south. When you hear people talking about float-fishing the "Grand Canyon of the East," it is often this section of the river to which they are referring.

The first major point of reference is the Thurmond Bridge. Next come the oddly named Rocky's Riffles, a Class II rapid that offers numerous pathways. Perhaps Rocky's Riffles is not so odd a name, for this section of river is, relatively speaking, a riffle. Of course, on other state brown bass streams, the Elk River being a good example, Rocky's Riffles would certainly be one of the major, if not the major, rapids on their entire lengths.

After this Class II, the New slows its pace and creates a river-left bend that offers quite a bit of rocky cover for anglers to explore. Then, follow a straight stretch and a series of Class Is, riffles and pools for several miles. At about this point, some anglers might feel that the big-water reputation of the Thurmond trip is unjustified . . . well, think again.

For next comes, appropriately, Surprise Rapid, a 400-yard-long Class III to IV rapid that can be a real boat buster. Surprise rears up about the 4 1/2-mile point as the New forms a river-right bend. If possible, run this rapid on far river left. Also, be alert for a major wave and a precipitous plunge near the end of Surprise.