Non-Gaussian flux-flow noise was measured in the {open_quote}{open_quote}peak-effect{close_quote}{close_quote} regime of NbSe{sub 2}. The form of the second spectra showed that neither flux bundles with Poisson statistics nor simple flow channels switching on and off could account for the noise. More complicated persistent flow patterns were needed. These metastable flow states were shown to correspond to different pinned configurations. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}