In Fly-Fishing for Smallmouth, Bob Clouser shares the extensive knowledge he has developed over a quarter-century of guiding for smallmouth bass on the Susquehanna River. Uxa waded streams for several years since he couldn’t afford a bass boat. Written by: Kip Vieth, Wildwood Float Trips. Shoreline wood, rock and weed cover — Submerged logs, laydowns extending off the bank into the water, rocks and aquatic vegetation will all hold stream bass. The San Marcos river is a special fishery. San Marcos – A Special Fly Fishing River. There's good fishing, if there's enough water to float." Harry Murray has been fly fishing, guiding and teaching others about smallmouth bass most of his life. Nothing beats catching a smallmouth bass on a topwater presentation. That’s why Harry does most of his fishing from 5 p.m until 8.30 p.m. "Try to fish the middle of the river in the middle of the day in the bright sun, why, if you get them, you’re going to earn them. Is he going to be below that ledge? Finding Smallmouth In Lakes and Large Rivers: In clear lakes and large, clear rivers, smallmouth will travel great distances to take a fly during the middle of a sunny afternoon. Keep in mind, in water clear enough for you to see the fish, the fish can also. By Joe Cermele. Drawing from a lifetime of smallmouth bass fishing, guiding and teaching at his angling schools, Harry Murray has developed his own approach to evaluating rivers and streams in order to find the best places to fish. This rod is effective when fishing heavy flies like the Hellgrammites. Shorter rods from 6 feet to 7 ½ feet long for line weights from one weight up to four weight are ideal. Harry, who owns and has operated Murray’s Fly Shop in Virginia for 40 years, has designed over 50 fly patterns for both trout and bass. You can catch stream smallmouths on a wide variety of lures, but the most consistent smallmouth baits I’ve found are not … They hide back under the banks and feed on hoppers and things drifting along. He has published eight books on fly fishing and has produced two videos and two DVDs. These hard fighting fish are always a surprise. Although Uxa owns a bass boat now … test) to 1X (about 9 lb. rebel crawdad and a small walk the dog lure or popper and hold on. But he explained, "The blue popper is the way we go on the top, but when we go underwater, then we’re trying to match the natural foods.". It is often easy to attempt to set the hook before the fish actually has the fly in its mouth. Catch yourself in a position on the stream so you can wade the water effectively and fish the fly without spooking the fish. When exploring these waters always make sure that the stream has enough water flow. Copyright © 2021 Ask About Fly Fishing | As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases through links from this website. If. Is he going to be beside that grass bed?" December 28, 2016. Smallmouth bass are the "gentleman of the warm water species", as Harry calls them. A 5 to 7 wt. Author Orvis Staff Posted on June 12, 2015 May 21, 2019 Categories Fly Fishing Tags fly recipes, fly-fishing for smallmouth bass, fly-fishing tips, top 10 flies. bass on a fly rod, you're not likely to forget it. They have become one of the most popular game fish today. An experienced teacher, Bob anticipates the questions and challenges faced by anglers when they first encounter a smallmouth stream. Fish the sections of the river that provide the two key elements for the smallmouth bass: food and structure. The length of the rod will depend on the overhead canopy. Nothing beats the fun and excitement of seeing a five, pound smallmouth come up from the bottom of a clear water stream and crash an imitation of a frog on the surface. Home » Fly Fishing Streams for Smallmouth Bass. More Fishing. Smallmouth bass can also be found in lakes and reservoirs. Although they are usually taken for the table, many fishermen practice catch-and-release fishing to improve fish population. Fishing publications often refer to the smallmouth bass as "ounce for ounce and pound for pound the gamest fish that swims" Featured. Regarding line size, it has to be big enough to carry the fly … It will make your quest very pleasant, extremely rewarding and it will even help you catch more large bass. The mighty smallmouth is found in over 2,000 rivers and thousands of lakes across North America, and readily strikes flies year around. With that outfit you’re ready for even over-size smallmouth bass. … He came up with the fly when he was looking for something to "simplify his hunting in the morning". We are going to help you plan one of your next big fishing trips by giving you a few good locations in each state, along with some bait that can be used … This rod is effective when fishing heavy flies like the Hellgrammites. A handful of each in a few colors and sizes will have you well on your way to your best bass … The preferred method of fishing for smallmouth bass in streams is fly fishing. The problem is, day in Between their geographical abundance, hyper-aggressive nature, and the power they can impose against a taught line, bass are a great opportunity for anglers to diversify their regularly targeted species, as well as have a great fight. These techniques and tactics, while successful for fly fishing for smallmouth bass very closely mimic trout fly fishing in larger streams and rivers around the world. You want to maximize your time on the water. east coast to the west coast of the United States and Canada. Around 20 years ago, Harry concocted the Strymph, a fly that can be fished as a streamer to imitate minnows and fished as a nymph to imitate aquatic insects. The fly size dictates the line size and the line size dictates the fly size. The appeal, depending on the size and color combination, is that the fly presents a realistic baitfish profile to a marauding smallmouth. Steve Hyatt: Use small jigs and fly’s, you can’t use the same thing you fish for LargeMouth! Shoals — Smallmouth, especially, will often move onto these shallow structures to forage for crawfish and minnows. Smallmouth bass fishing in lakes during midsummer is usually a dawn and dusk commando operation. During decades of float fishing for smallmouths in streams and a few years of guiding fishermen on the upper sections of the North Fork of the White River and on the Black and Current rivers in Missouri, I’ve had more opportunities than most to experiment with baits. Less common than their larger cousin the largemouth, smallmouth bass are special not only because they fight harder than other freshwater fish, but because the rock strewn environments they inhabit have something of mountain purity about them. However, he doesn’t always stick with this fly. Breaking down a stream to find smallmouth involves a simple strategy: Starting at the head of the stream, think about the food that’s there – primarily Hellgrammites and Sculpins. Bring your 6 or 7-weight to the San Marcos. For bigger flies, a 4-weight is the ideal rod. Regarding line size, it has to be big enough to carry the fly size. Your craft should not drift with the wind or move under paddle or motor power: If it's moving, your fly will drag and you'll lose the precise fly control you need. Smallmouth bass are quite fun and rewarding to catch. Current breaks, eddies, shoals, ripples are areas smallmouth like to hang out because there's dissolved oxygen and food there. ", On the other hand, "if you’ve got a cobblestone bottom water waist-deep, shaded bank, you should be able to take those bass all day long.". If you've been fishing a section of river or stream without success, or if you haven’t seen any activity on the water, it’s time to move on. He can discuss the various minnows found in smallmouth rivers, the flows that match them and the most productive techniques for fishing them. The most fun you can fly fishing for smallmouth bass is catching them when they are feeding on the surface. Bob Clouser's name is well known in fly fishing circles beyond his home area of southcentral Pennsylvania. 2. This particular category of fly fishing is growing from year to year. Photo courtesy Kip Vieth. When fishing smallmouth, Harry’s standard rod is a 9-foot-7 weight, specifically Harry Wilson’s 907B, a 9-foot-7 weight with a bass action and a very strong tip. Fishing streams for smallmouth bass offers a small-water alternative for bass anglers on a strict budget. Your looking for streams that will be able to hold fish. Smallmouth Bass Fishing: Big Water vs. Small Rivers Streams and river have currents making it easier to find smallmouth. “Anybody can afford an old pair of torn-up tennis shoes (for wading),” said Jack Uxa, a Missouri guide who has been fishing streams throughout his home state since he was about 9 years old. Along with Harry Murry and Lefty Kreh, Bob Clouser is one of the Dean's of fly fishing for bass, especially in rivers, so I'm sure this book has been eagerly anticipated by a great many fly … They’re going to go for a mouthful. Smallmouth on rock ledges . "They are down in the water and you want to get those things up in the air, and you don’t want a wishy-washy tip on it." This book is well suited for any fly fisherman from novice to expert who is looking for specific tips on tackle and techniques for smallmouth bass … "But if I had to list my favorite part of the Greenbrier, I would say it is the upper part above Anthony. Smallmouth bass are not wild about bright sunlight. Most stillwater smallmouth fishing is done from a float-tube, kick-boat, canoe, or bass boat. test) depending on the weight of the fly and anticipated size of the fish. Listen in and learn his secrets. Small holes, and runs that offer enough cover for the fish is what your looking for. Smallmouth bass are the best fish to catch, and fly fishing is a superb way to catch them … This is the place for accurate and helpful information on fly fishing for smallmouth, without the jargon or hype. It is as defeating as drag in a stream when you need a natural drift. These fish are … Videos. Mar 6, 2018. In Harry’s area in the Shenandoah River in Edinburg, Virginia, smallmouth bass often come into the tributaries to spawn at around 50 degrees which is normally around the middle of April until the middle of May. Gear. Latest. For bigger flies, a 4-weight is the ideal rod. Others are too deep to. Smallmouth bass eat almost anything; be it a hellgrammite, crayfish, sculpin, minnow, damsel, or dragonfly. Which begs the question . Mike Jones: i’ve spent extensive time wading the creeks of western kentucky for smallmouth bass with my uncle. Catching a five pound smallmouth on a 5 or 6 weight fly rod is something you want forget quickly, if ever. This well-illustrated book provides an in-depth look at smallmouth bass fishing with the fly rod drawn largely from Clouser's own experiences on the Susquehanna River. ", Harry’s favorite attractor fly is a Carolina Blue Popper, also called “The Eye”, which was developed by Bill Gallosh in Richmond, Virgina around 40 or 50 years ago. Selecting the proper tackle for your smallmouth bass fly fishing will enable you to get the most out of your pursuit of this fine fish. It’s basically just the reverse. Finding Smallmouth In Small Streams and Creeks: There are two types small streams and creeks. I use a little heavier tippet for stream bass than for stream trout – 3X (about 6 lb. Catching a five pound smallmouth on a 5 or 6 weight fly rod is something you won't forget quickly, if ever. Fishing for freshwater Bass (specifically smallouth and largemouth) can be one of the most intense and rewarding experiences on a fly rod. Fishing The 7 Best Lures for Smallmouth Bass in Rivers If you’re hitting the water for bronzebacks this summer, you’ll want to fill your tacklebox with these go-to baits You will learn, or brush up on, casting, fly fishing equipment selection (fly rod, fly reel, fly line, flies, wading gear), knot tying, reading the water, entomology, nymphing, streamer fishing and topwater fishing. However, in rivers, smallmouths are active all day long, even in the heat of summer. If they are a little of symmetry, they can twist your leader causing you to break off the big fish. Smallmouth Bass Strategies - Dave Karczynski, Top Ten Smallmouth Bass Flies and How to Fish Them - Brad Miller, Drifting for Smallmouth Bass in Wisconsin Tributaries - AJ Dudek, Housantonic River - Trout and Smallies - Torrey Collins, Smallmouth Bass with a Big Bite! Joe Randolph: Fly fishing from a canoe is the way to go. A fishing guide explains how to catch your biggest smallmouth of the season—in the dead of winter . Landing a smallmouth bass is tough because they never give up. Fly Fishing for smallmouth bass is right at the top of the list for many anglers. This is the most valuable thing in smallmouth fishing. Holes — Good winter and summer stream haunts. A perfect species for fly fishing. You can access the San Marcos near the towns Fentress, Staples and Martindale. To become a better smallmouth angler, start thinking about your flies not as general foodstuffs, but as presentation technologies: Each design allows you to cover water at different depths and speeds, and with different actions and profiles. Recipes and fishing techniques for 32 of Bob Clouser's favorite smallmouth patternsTen tips to catch a trophy bassLocal expertise for fishing the nation's best bass rivers, including the Susquehanna in Pennsylvania, the Umpqua and John Day in Oregon, Maryland's Potomac, Maine's Penobscot, and the Little TennesseeIn Fly-Fishing for Smallmouth, Bob Clouser shares the extensi When fishing smallmouth, Harry’s standard rod is a 9-foot-7 weight, specifically Harry Wilson’s 907B, a 9-foot-7 weight with a bass action and a very strong tip. Mar 6, 2018. They feed on hellgrammite larvae and the dobsonfly larvae the same way the browns and the rainbows would in the Yellowstone River. There are those large enough to float and those that are too small to float or, When wading, you have to be use stealthy approach. You'll find his practical approach to finding and hooking up with these exciting fish an enlightening experience. Catching Smallmouth Bass in Streams and Small Rivers. Casting & General Fly Fishing Tech. LOL. His articles can be seen regularly in many national fly fishing magazines. Kip Vieth chases smallmouths as much as he can in Minnesota. While you’re getting down in the middle or tail of the pool and looking out for the fish, ask yourself where the bass is going to be: "Is he going beyond that riffle? The most fun you can fly fishing for smallmouth bass is catching them when they are feeding on the surface. At this water temperature wet flies, feather minnows, bass-size nymphs, streamers, bucktails and spinner-and-flies will all take fish. - Randy Ratliff, Fly-Fishing Techniques for Smallmouth Bass, Virginia Blue-Ribbon Streams: A Fly Fishing Guide (Blue-Ribbon Fly Fishing Guides), Trout Fishing in the Shenandoah National Park. Clean, clear water has a quality of vitality and levity that turbid water lacks. Pound for pound, they are considered the strongest fighters of any freshwater fish by many anglers. Nothing beats the fun. "They are not going to feed on the size 20 bait as nymph like a brown trout would on the spring creek. Listen to our full interview with Harry Murray and learn more strategies on fly fishing streams for smallmouth bass. Think small When fishing these small waters, it is usually best to down size your gear. Once you determined where the smallmouth is, that’s when you decide where to put your fly. rod with matching wt. His go-to fly is "just whatever seems to be working". The amount of diversity within the waters make it one of the best places to fish in the entire country. You most likely will not run into lunker bass, so throwing 1/0 bass bugs … Pound for pound, they are considered the strongest fighters of any freshwater fish by many anglers. The Smallmouth bass prefers clearer, cooler water than largemouth bass. Fly Fishing for smallmouth bass is right at the top of the list for many anglers. Above 58° F., and on up to 65°, try bass bugs, especially if you notice any surface rises. The top 5 states for smallmouth bass fishing are Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Tennessee, and Kentucky. floating line and 6 to 8 feet of leader will handle most applications. Originally designed to catch subsurface striped bass, smallmouth anglers fish Blados' Crease Fly under the same logic as a traditional popper — create a disturbance and the fish will come. Harry discourages going much finer than 2x. So at the head of the pool, read the water using polarized glass. Beyond his native waters, the lessons Bob offers in this book can be directly applied to smallmouth fisheries across the country, from creeks to large rivers. During the day, they stay in water 10 to 30 feet deep, and although you can catch them on a sinking line it’s a lot of work. Below is a list of five different flies that run the gamut in terms of presentation possibilities. Fly rod rigging is simple enough for stream bass. They are commonly found in streams and rivers and do not mind moving water. Smallmouth can be caught in water as deep as it is possible to fish a fly, on the surface, and anywhere in between. Fishing Small Creek and Streams From A Boat: Most small streams can be waded, but many don't have the proper access points to wade from the banks. "They are down in the water and you want to get those things up in the air, and you don’t want a wishy-washy tip on it." They feed in a different manner compared to the largemouth bass, a little similar to brown trout. You think you’ve got a 7 pound bass, only to find out the fish weighs half that when you finally get it in the net. … Enter your information to get notified of our upcoming information packed interviews. Correct fly line. Most lakes in Northwestern Ontario have similar conditions and habitat and can grow big Smallmouth Bass but our lakes are remote fly-in outpost lakes and due to low fishing pressure, they produce unusually large Smallmouth Bass and great numbers. If you have not tried fly fishing for smallmouth bass, you should. This particular category of fly fishing is growing from year to year. Anglers in the Heartland, for example, where shad are common, … Matching the natural food in the smallmouth drainages is not tough since they are always in the stream – they live in the cobblestone bottom, usually under the riffles. Habitat. Fishermen should understand, though, that there's a big "if" that comes with floating the upper river. On leaders and tippets, a 9-foot 2x is the standard size. "I do love smallmouth bass fishing on both the upper and lower Greenbrier," he says. The fly is very effective all across the US and you can use it to fish upstream, dead drift or fish it down and across the stream. With "Fly-Fishing for Smallmouth", Bob Clouser offers a follow-up to his excellent book Clouser's Flies, this time taking us on the stream and letting the reader pick the mind of an experienced and highly knowledgeable angler. 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