"For my third pattern, I'll try a big topwater plug like a Storm Chug Bug in the frog color," Smith continued. "The Chug Bug is a big meal for a big fish. Any big topwater plug, whether a Heddon Zara Spook, Rebel Pop-R or Chug Bug is a great summer pattern for big upper New smallmouths. I will keep a topwater tied on to throw periodically throughout the day -- especially if it is hot and the fish seem lethargic. These baits present such an easy meal for a big fish that they can't pass it up. As you know, they want to maximize their energy expenditure and topwaters will work even during the midday period under these conditions."

I, too, am a believer in full-sized topwater baits for summertime New River bass. For example, on our float, according to my fishing records, the temperature that day rose to the mid- to upper 80s -- mild in the flatlands of Carolina but positively sultry in the western mountains. Around noon, I tied on a chugger and soon afterward was rewarded with a keeper-sized smallmouth. The fish was cruising an eddy that lay in partial shade.

Mike Smith's fourth pattern involves hard-plastic jerkbaits with one of his favorites being a 4-inch Ugly Duckling with a green back and white sides. This jerkbait features a very wide, wildly wiggling wobble that looks like a minnow or a chub about to expire but still able to swim a little. This is another lure, continued the guide, which can turn on lethargic summertime smallies.

POSSIBLE TRIPS
Confluence To Mouth Of Wilson
The most recent time I took the Confluence to Mouth of Wilson (five miles) trip was in 2004, when biologist Kevin Hining and I floated it. Hining likes this junket because it contains a number of Class Is and riffles, plus numerous ledges and eddies.

Two possible put-ins exist for the Confluence float. Anglers who wish to access the river where the North and South Forks of the New commingle near the communities of Crumpler and Piney Creek can put in at several community access points off East Weaver's Ford Road (Route 1549) in Alleghany County. The drawback of doing so is that fishermen will have to slide their crafts down a dirt bank. After doing so, they may wish to paddle a short distance up the North Fork and fish it a while before continuing downstream. In fact, accessing the river here will put one in the waters of the North Fork, just before they unite with the South Fork.

The other option is to put in at a river-right concrete ramp off Kings Creek Road (Route 1308). Doing so will mean that float-fishermen will have to drift down the last two miles of the South Fork of the New -- but that's not an undesirable thing at all. This section does have one fairly challenging Class II, the New River Forge Rapid. Caution: This rapid can be very taxing in high water, so consider portaging it on river left.