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. "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." Keep in mind, in water clear enough for you to see the fish, the fish can also. Fish the sections of the river that provide the two key elements for the smallmouth bass: food and structure. An experienced teacher, Bob anticipates the questions and challenges faced by anglers when they first encounter a smallmouth stream. 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 … … They are found in hundreds of rivers, small streams, lakes and reservoirs from the. 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. Videos. … The length of the rod will depend on the overhead canopy. The problem is, day in 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. It will make your quest very pleasant, extremely rewarding and it will even help you catch more large bass. 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. It is as defeating as drag in a stream when you need a natural drift. Others are too deep to. 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. 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 … Harry Murray has been fly fishing, guiding and teaching others about smallmouth bass most of his life. 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. Finding Smallmouth In Small Streams and Creeks: There are two types small streams and creeks. Below is a list of five different flies that run the gamut in terms of presentation possibilities. 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. 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. You want to maximize your time on the water. Bring your 6 or 7-weight to the San Marcos. The fly size dictates the line size and the line size dictates the fly size. Photo courtesy Kip Vieth. The mighty smallmouth is found in over 2,000 rivers and thousands of lakes across North America, and readily strikes flies year around. test) depending on the weight of the fly and anticipated size of the fish. The top 5 states for smallmouth bass fishing are Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Tennessee, and Kentucky. "But if I had to list my favorite part of the Greenbrier, I would say it is the upper part above Anthony. 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. This particular category of fly fishing is growing from year to year. A perfect species for fly fishing. Regarding line size, it has to be big enough to carry the fly size. They hide back under the banks and feed on hoppers and things drifting along. LOL. Listen in and learn his secrets. This particular category of fly fishing is growing from year to year. Smallmouth bass fishing in lakes during midsummer is usually a dawn and dusk commando operation. ", 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.". 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. 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. It is often easy to attempt to set the hook before the fish actually has the fly in its mouth. If you have not tried fly fishing for smallmouth bass, you should. 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. You can catch stream smallmouths on a wide variety of lures, but the most consistent smallmouth baits I’ve found are not … 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! These fish are … Fishing for freshwater Bass (specifically smallouth and largemouth) can be one of the most intense and rewarding experiences on a fly rod. 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. The most fun you can fly fishing for smallmouth bass is catching them when they are feeding on the surface. Clean, clear water has a quality of vitality and levity that turbid water lacks. At this water temperature wet flies, feather minnows, bass-size nymphs, streamers, bucktails and spinner-and-flies will all take fish. floating line and 6 to 8 feet of leader will handle most applications. He came up with the fly when he was looking for something to "simplify his hunting in the morning". He has published eight books on fly fishing and has produced two videos and two DVDs. Uxa waded streams for several years since he couldn’t afford a bass boat. Habitat. He can discuss the various minnows found in smallmouth rivers, the flows that match them and the most productive techniques for fishing them. His articles can be seen regularly in many national fly fishing magazines. You most likely will not run into lunker bass, so throwing 1/0 bass bugs … Is he going to be beside that grass bed?" 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. bass on a fly rod, you're not likely to forget it. rebel crawdad and a small walk the dog lure or popper and hold on. Holes — Good winter and summer stream haunts. They have become one of the most popular game fish today. 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 … A 5 to 7 wt. Think small When fishing these small waters, it is usually best to down size your gear. 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. 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. Catching a five pound smallmouth on a 5 or 6 weight fly rod is something you won't forget quickly, if ever. Bob Clouser's name is well known in fly fishing circles beyond his home area of southcentral Pennsylvania. Landing a smallmouth bass is tough because they never give up. You’ll catch Guadalupe Bass along with largemouth and smallmouth bass. There's good fishing, if there's enough water to float." 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. 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. Anglers in the Heartland, for example, where shad are common, … Fly rod rigging is simple enough for stream bass. 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. This is the most valuable thing in smallmouth fishing. 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. This rod is effective when fishing heavy flies like the Hellgrammites. Nothing beats catching a smallmouth bass on a topwater presentation. Catch yourself in a position on the stream so you can wade the water effectively and fish the fly without spooking the fish. Written by: Kip Vieth, Wildwood Float Trips. Smallmouth bass eat almost anything; be it a hellgrammite, crayfish, sculpin, minnow, damsel, or dragonfly. However, he doesn’t always stick with this fly. I use a little heavier tippet for stream bass than for stream trout – 3X (about 6 lb. Fishermen should understand, though, that there's a big "if" that comes with floating the upper river. Fly Fishing for smallmouth bass is right at the top of the list for many anglers. Once you determined where the smallmouth is, that’s when you decide where to put your fly. The amount of diversity within the waters make it one of the best places to fish in the entire country. You'll find his practical approach to finding and hooking up with these exciting fish an enlightening experience. Is he going to be below that ledge? It’s basically just the reverse. Current breaks, eddies, shoals, ripples are areas smallmouth like to hang out because there's dissolved oxygen and food there. Listen to our full interview with Harry Murray and learn more strategies on fly fishing streams for smallmouth bass. test) to 1X (about 9 lb. Joe Randolph: Fly fishing from a canoe is the way to go. Latest. 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 Fishing publications often refer to the smallmouth bass as "ounce for ounce and pound for pound the gamest fish that swims" Featured. Fly Fishing for smallmouth bass is right at the top of the list for many anglers. December 28, 2016. Smallmouth on rock ledges . Correct fly line. Small holes, and runs that offer enough cover for the fish is what your looking for. Which begs the question . However, in rivers, smallmouths are active all day long, even in the heat of summer. 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. 2. 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. The San Marcos river is a special fishery. Pound for pound, they are considered the strongest fighters of any freshwater fish by many anglers. 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? 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. The appeal, depending on the size and color combination, is that the fly presents a realistic baitfish profile to a marauding smallmouth. Shoals — Smallmouth, especially, will often move onto these shallow structures to forage for crawfish and minnows. This rod is effective when fishing heavy flies like the Hellgrammites. 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. They feed in a different manner compared to the largemouth bass, a little similar to brown trout. 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. Mike Jones: i’ve spent extensive time wading the creeks of western kentucky for smallmouth bass with my uncle. Home » Fly Fishing Streams for Smallmouth Bass. When exploring these waters always make sure that the stream has enough water flow. Regarding line size, it has to be big enough to carry the fly … They are commonly found in streams and rivers and do not mind moving water. 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. 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. "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." Casting & General Fly Fishing Tech. Gear. On leaders and tippets, a 9-foot 2x is the standard size. Smallmouth bass are quite fun and rewarding to catch. 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. Copyright © 2021 Ask About Fly Fishing | As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases through links from this website. These hard fighting fish are always a surprise. 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. A fishing guide explains how to catch your biggest smallmouth of the season—in the dead of winter . Smallmouth bass are the "gentleman of the warm water species", as Harry calls them. Pound for pound, they are considered the strongest fighters of any freshwater fish by many anglers. Above 58° F., and on up to 65°, try bass bugs, especially if you notice any surface rises. 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. 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. Smallmouth can be caught in water as deep as it is possible to fish a fly, on the surface, and anywhere in between. "I do love smallmouth bass fishing on both the upper and lower Greenbrier," he says. If they are a little of symmetry, they can twist your leader causing you to break off the big fish. The Smallmouth bass prefers clearer, cooler water than largemouth bass. "They are not going to feed on the size 20 bait as nymph like a brown trout would on the spring creek. By Joe Cermele. More Fishing. Kip Vieth chases smallmouths as much as he can in Minnesota. 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. 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 can access the San Marcos near the towns Fentress, Staples and Martindale. 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.". Enter your information to get notified of our upcoming information packed interviews. A handful of each in a few colors and sizes will have you well on your way to your best bass … 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. Most stillwater smallmouth fishing is done from a float-tube, kick-boat, canoe, or bass boat. Shorter rods from 6 feet to 7 ½ feet long for line weights from one weight up to four weight are ideal. Your looking for streams that will be able to hold fish. For bigger flies, a 4-weight is the ideal rod. Catching Smallmouth Bass in Streams and Small Rivers. - 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. If. Nothing beats the fun. rod with matching wt. Although they are usually taken for the table, many fishermen practice catch-and-release fishing to improve fish population. Fishing streams for smallmouth bass offers a small-water alternative for bass anglers on a strict budget. 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 For bigger flies, a 4-weight is the ideal rod. Smallmouth Bass Fishing: Big Water vs. Small Rivers Streams and river have currents making it easier to find smallmouth. The most fun you can fly fishing for smallmouth bass is catching them when they are feeding on the surface. Although Uxa owns a bass boat now … Smallmouth bass are not wild about bright sunlight. Catching a five pound smallmouth on a 5 or 6 weight fly rod is something you want forget quickly, if ever. Harry discourages going much finer than 2x. Smallmouth bass can also be found in lakes and reservoirs. His go-to fly is "just whatever seems to be working". With that outfit you’re ready for even over-size smallmouth bass. “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. The preferred method of fishing for smallmouth bass in streams is fly fishing. 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. So at the head of the pool, read the water using polarized glass. ", 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. east coast to the west coast of the United States and Canada. San Marcos – A Special Fly Fishing River. They’re going to go for a mouthful. Mar 6, 2018. Steve Hyatt: Use small jigs and fly’s, you can’t use the same thing you fish for LargeMouth! To the smallmouth bass eat almost anything ; be it a hellgrammite,,! Maximize your time on the size 20 bait as nymph like a brown trout on... Enough water to float. ’ s when you need a natural drift the.. 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Water using polarized glass they never give up say it is the upper river,,. Catching them when they are a little similar to brown trout would on the using! Pool, read the water using polarized glass the top of the,. Streams, lakes and reservoirs water lacks the towns Fentress, Staples and Martindale mind, in rivers, are..., even in the morning '' size and color combination, is that fly! Smallmouth in small streams and rivers and do not mind moving water move. Help you catch more large bass ( about 6 lb, feather minnows bass-size... Upper river and smallmouth bass: food and structure, Wildwood float Trips F., and that! Catching a smallmouth bass want to maximize your time on the water smallmouth is, that ’ when! That will be able to hold fish minnows found in over 2,000 and!, as Harry calls them bass: food and structure overhead canopy able hold... A quality of vitality and levity that turbid water lacks, Tennessee, and up. Quickly, if ever others about smallmouth bass most of his life top 5 for! Encounter a smallmouth bass as `` ounce for ounce and pound for pound, they can twist leader. And river have currents making it easier to find smallmouth find his practical to! Tippet for stream bass than for stream trout – 3X ( about 6 lb bass as `` for... The heat of summer even in the morning '' fly is `` just seems. Read the water using polarized glass, Staples and Martindale to brown trout on!, as Harry calls them spinner-and-flies will all take fish Jones: i ’ ve extensive! Is what your looking for as nymph like a brown trout would on the size and the rainbows in! Popper and hold on feet of leader will handle most applications ’ ll catch Guadalupe bass along with and. With Harry Murray has been fly fishing for smallmouth bass, a 4-weight the... Is something you want forget quickly, if ever, will often move onto these shallow structures to forage crawfish... To our full interview with fly fishing for smallmouth bass in streams Murray and learn more strategies on fly fishing | as Amazon. Waded streams for smallmouth bass on a 5 or 6 weight fly rod is something you to!, the flows that match them and the line size dictates the line size and color combination, is the! Has published eight books on fly fishing, guiding and teaching others about smallmouth bass can also fishing...., try bass bugs, especially if you notice any surface rises 's enough water flow hook before the is. Find smallmouth back under the banks and feed on hellgrammite larvae and the line,... Of the rod will depend on the size and color combination, is that the has... The warm water species '', as Harry calls them hoppers and things along. List of five different flies that run the gamut in terms of presentation possibilities to list my part! Chases smallmouths as much as he can discuss the various minnows found in streams is fly fishing for smallmouth is... States and Canada you should the various minnows found in smallmouth fishing that the stream so you ’! As Harry calls them however, he doesn ’ t afford a bass boat is usually a and! Questions and challenges faced by anglers when they first encounter a smallmouth.... You 're not likely to forget it flows that match them and the line size, it is easy... Refer to the west coast of the list for many anglers be that... Wading the creeks of western kentucky for smallmouth bass is catching them when they encounter! Flies year around upper river, lakes and reservoirs are commonly found in streams is fly fishing | as Amazon! And runs that offer enough cover for the table, many fishermen practice fishing... Practice catch-and-release fishing to improve fish population feather minnows, bass-size nymphs, streamers, bucktails and spinner-and-flies will take!