Ken McClintic of Holly River State Park with a 20-inch smallie he caught on the Frametown to Duck section of the Elk River. Photo by Bruce Ingram.

The New, Greenbrier, South Branch of the Potomac, Gauley, Elk and Tygart rivers are just a few of West Virginia's many eminent smallmouth streams. But you already knew that, didn't you? But what you might not know about are some of the high-quality, though often overlooked, floats that exist on these waterways. Consider checking out these 10 possibilities.

NEW RIVER
Mountain State smallmouth addicts, as well as do river enthusiasts across the country, well know that the New from below Bluestone Lake Dam to the backwaters of Hawks Nest Lake boasts some of the best bassing in the country. But you might not be aware of the outstanding action that exists from Glen Lyn, Virginia, to the backwaters of Bluestone Lake.

Trip One: Glen Lyn To Shanklins Ferry
Several reasons exist why the Glen Lyn to Shanklins Ferry (11 miles) float is often overlooked. First, it begins in Virginia (but ends in West Virginia), so anglers from both states often avoid it, as they would have to purchase out-of-state licenses to float-fish this section. Another reason is that major rapids punctuate this junket, and its long length may discourage other folks as well.

Those negatives aside, the Glen Lyn getaway is in my opinion one of the premier floats on the entire New in North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. I have taken this trip a number of times over the past 20 years and have caught smallies up to 20 inches. Please do be aware, though, of the difficult rapids that do exist here.

Just two miles downstream from the river-right put-in, the highly variable Shumate Falls looms, and it can flaunt rapids that are rated between Class II and IV, depending on water levels. Portage Shumate on river left. About seven miles into the trip, you will arrive at the Class II Stateline Falls, which marks the boundary between the two Virginias.

Now, I guess West Virginians could refrain from fishing the first seven miles of this trip and thus not have to purchase a Virginia license. But how could anyone pass up all the great fishing on the Virginia side? That's why for this excursion, I always bring licenses for both states.

A number of Class I rapids exist between Stateline Falls and the river-right Shanklins Ferry access site. Be sure to work the runs below these rapids.

Trip Two: Shanklins Ferry To Mouth Of Indian Creek
From Shanklins Ferry to the river-right Indian Creek (four miles) access point, more overlooked bassing water exists. Once again, anglers should be aware that some major rapids pock this part of the New. The Class II Anderson Falls comes at the two-mile mark, while the Class II to III Harvey Falls looms several more miles downstream (and after the aptly named Whale Rock), and at the end is the Class II Harmons Rapids.

Harvey Falls is by far the most difficult to run of the trio, but it can be portaged by way of an islet on its right side. Rapids aside, this float features a number of islands of varying size and marvelous rocky cover, often in the form of underwater ledges. These areas are where you should spend much of your angling time.