Independence To Baywood (12 Miles)
Although the Independence to Baywood float is comparable to the Bridle Creek one in length, bucolic scenery, and a full day is required to cover it, that's where the similarities end. The Bridle Creek junket includes numerous rapids, but the Independence one possesses a sole rapid -- a Class I-II that dots the upper New at the mile seven point. This is a fairly easy rapid to run and it only poses problems during high water conditions. Then this rapid can be portaged on river right.

The Independence getaway is an ideal one for novice and intermediate canoeists. Just enough riffles exist to make paddling pleasurable, although some long, deep holes do occur from time to time. Besides the aforementioned rapid, another point of reference is where the Little River empties into the New at about the mile nine point. The Baywood take-out is on river right just past the Route 58/221 bridge.

The positive effects of the solid 2004 spawn should begin to become more apparent to fishermen this summer. The upper New has traditionally been North Carolina's best smallmouth river, although poor spawns during the early years of this century have dimmed the river's luster just a bit.

IF YOU GO
Mike Smith can be contacted at www.greasycreekoutfitters.com or by calling (540) 789-7811 for a guided trip. For canoe rental and stream conditions, contact Zaloo's Canoes in Jefferson at (336) 246-3066 or (800) 535-4027, www.zaloos.com. Lodging is available at the Buffalo Tavern B&B in West Jefferson, (877) 615-9678, www.buffalotavern.com; Burgiss Farm B&B in Laurel Springs, (800) 233-1505, www.grapestompers.com; and Doughton-Hall Bed & Breakfast in Laurel Springs, (336) 359-2341, or bandb@doughtonhall.com. Elaine and I have stayed at all of these establishments and can recommend them.

A good source for trip planning information is the Alleghany County Chamber of Commerce in Sparta, (336) 372-5473 or (800) 372-5473, www.sparta-nc.com. Another possible destination for sportsmen and women is the New River State Park in Jefferson, (336) 982-2587, www.ncsparks.net/neri.html. For more information on conservation activities on the New River System, contact the National Committee for the New River in West Jefferson at (336) 246-4871, www.ncnr.org. Virginia and North Carolina have a reciprocal license agreement on this section of the New, so a Virginia license is not required.

(Editor's Note: Bruce Ingram is the author of the following books: The James River Guide ($15), The New River Guide ($15), and The Shenandoah/Rappahannock Rivers Guide ($18.25). To obtain a copy, send a check to Ingram at P.O. Box 429, Fincastle, VA 24090.)