West Virginia Travel Guide 2009 - (Page 50) wild & wonderful > Into the Wild Larry Nibert Fishin’t ales: By Scott Peterson A DAY ON THE RIVER Experience the state’s wild and wonderful outdoors on a guided hunting or fishing trip with a true West Virginia character. outdoors with my pole, gun or huntin’ dogs in tow.” By the time Nibert graduated high school, he had advantages and options that his father and grandfather never had; he didn’t have to go work the mines. Nibert attended college instead and ultimately used his native skills and knowledge of the area to become one of the most sought-after rafting guides and legend in these here parts. In 2001, while on a road trip with a friend and fellow guide, the conversation turned to what they wanted to do with their lives. “I simply told him this: ‘I want to sit on the river bank at night and show those city folks who sit in a cubicle what life is all about. Teach them the real history of the New River Gorge and the ins and outs of hunting and fishing, just the way Dad taught me.’ ” Combining $2,500 in rafting tips with a $900 loan from his father, Nibert built The West Virginia Experience, a guided fishing and hunting expedition company, from scratch. He billed it as “the Best of West Virginia guided by those who know it best native West Virginians.” One gorgeous Sunday morning, I am the “city folk” sitting in a raft on the I n the shadow of the New River Gorge, the town of Fayetteville has evolved from the heart of coal country to the epicenter of cool country. In the past three decades, miners have been replaced by millions of adventure seekers, wilderness lovers and those who have discovered the natural playground known as Southern West Virginia. As more and more outfitters moved into the region, outdoor guides from around the world soon followed to make their home in the mountains. No one in Fayetteville knows this story better than Larry Nibert, owner of New River, taking off for a half-day fishing trip. Unlike the typical sitting-on-the-dock-ofthe-bay fishing, fishing here feels different as you float on pristine water nestled by rock outcroppings whose beauty becomes more apparent by the minute as the sun rises. The first thing I notice about Nibert is how adept he is at multi-tasking. He guides the raft, baits my hook, teaches me how to use the lore most effectively and points out historical and geographical landmarks – all the while also being a genuine character full of stories, jokes and even a bit of “hillbilly philosophy.” And he sure knows how to create an instant rapport. “Mom always said I had the gift of gab, and, well, Dad just said that I had enough wind to fill up an onion sack.” The West Virginia Experience (www.wvexperience.com), who has been at one with the great outdoors for more than 25 years. The region’s transformation is not only the reason behind his unique hunting and fishing company, but also the inspiration for his family and his life. Nibert, 36, was born just 16 minutes away in the town of Kincaid. The son of a coal miner and high-school cook, he grew up like many kids during that time. “I lived to be in the woods or near the water,” he says. “I would come home from school, run to the house, speed through my chores and then head 50 1-800-CALL WVA http://www.wvexperience.com
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