SANDSTONE, WV (WOAY) – Matt Whitt started his guide service, Premier West Virginia Outdoors in 2023, calling it his passion.
He’s been floating and fishing the upper end of the New River Gorge (Sandstone/Meadow Creek area, into the Glade Creek/Grandview-Sandbar area) for 39 years, and guiding fishermen for 20.
“I’m retiring from my regular job here in a couple of years, and this is my retirement plan,” Whitt said. “I want to do this every day. I want to be able to spend time on the river and enjoy showing people what we have to offer here.”
Premier West Virginia Outdoors will take you on the water to go float fishing — to see stunning scenery, wildlife galore, and some of the best smallmouth bass this side of the Gorge.
The start of the southernmost part of the Gorge offers many beautiful things and fishing is one of them.
“We’re an all-inclusive outfitter, have all the fishing gear you need,” said Whitt. “We offer four-hour trips, six hours and eight hours. On our short days, we have soft drinks and water. On our full days, we actually provide lunch. If you want to show up and just jump on the raft and fish, we got you covered.”
The head guide says he uses whitewater rafts that comfortably fit two fishermen per boat and has multiple boats. His four-hour trip is a four-mile section, six-hour trips are a five-mile section, and eight-hour trips are a ten-mile section.
“Our biggest target fish are smallmouth bass; that’s the premier thing here on this water,” Whitt said. “And we occasionally get some walleye and some muskie in the colder waters.
The DNR has done a great job of reintroducing the walleye into this river, so we’re starting to catch a lot.”
This river section has been catch and release for more than 20 years. Matt says because they love the fish and don’t want to hurt them. He says he’s never had a fisherman complain, and calls it such a thrill to be out there.
“Never know what you’re gonna catch next, whether it’s gonna be one of those 20/22-inch giants that everybody looks for — a muskie or walleye, just never know,” said Whitt.
No worries if you’re inexperienced. Matt says he’ll show you how to cast and fish; those are some of his best trips, for people who’ve never handled a fishing pole.
“And even if you’re not enjoying the fishing, the scenery is second to none,” Whitt said. “You know, we see bald eagles, river otters, deer, everything that you can imagine.”
