Smallmouth Bass are warm water fish that inhabit many lakes and rivers of all sizes. Smallmouths are pound for pound the best fighting freshwater fish to be caught, especially on a fly rod. On average these fish weigh between 1 and 5 pounds and can exceed 10 pounds. A naturally aggressive fish, smallies are eager to take a presented fly.
Gear Selection for Smallmouth Bass
When fly fishing for smallmouth the proper weight and length rod should be used as well as, a strong leader and tippet. Select a fly rod that casts large flies with little effort and handles the fight of a fish without exhausting the fish. A 9 foot 6 weight is a good choice. Leaders and Tippets need to be strong enough to hold up to the fight as well as, the hook set as smallies can strike with vigor. Leaders in 3x or 4x 9 ½ feet long will hold up to most circumstances and turn a fly over well.
Flies and Presentation
Smallmouth are opportunistic feeders and often don’t like to let a meal get away. Flies can often be used to represent an assortment of feed that make up a smallie's diet. Top water flies can be used to represent many things from mice, hoppers, crickets, lizards, etc. Sub surface flies are available to mimic many bait fish, crawfish, leeches, and some are unique attraction patterns. Being an aggressive fish, smallies are not that fussy on the presentation of a fly that is appealing to them. Once a pattern is found that creates strikes by fish, pay attention to how the fly is being fished. If the fish stop hitting that fly, change up fishing a new one the same way.
Top Water for Bass Success
Throwing top water flies is an extremely exciting way to fish for smallmouth. Often times the strikes are explosives and the fights can be arm-tiring. The excitement that comes from top water is the visual of the fish striking the fly. When fishing around structure, try landing the fly near protruding objects. After the fly lands, let it sit on the water motionless until the rings created on the water around the fly are gone. Give the fly a sharp, short ‘pop’ and stop for a second. Many times a smallie will swim under the fly and wait for the first sight of movement and strike. If a strike doesn’t happen on the initial ‘pop’, retrieve the fly with 2 to 3 foot slow retrieves with a short pause. Always be prepared for a take, sometimes fish strike in an unusual manner at odd times.
Getting Under the Surface for Smallmouth Bass
When fishing sub surface flies there are a lot of options to choose from. There are several flies that represent bait fish and most will catch smallies all of the time. The color of the fly tends to matter more than the size or shape. Try to match the color to the water you are fishing, especially if the water is dark or murky. Use brighter colors in dirty water to ensure visibility. Cast the fly to a likely area of a smallmouth and strip the fly in when the fly has sunk to the depth that is desired. Work with the depth a little to see where the fish are feeding. Retrieve the fly with short quick strips and a quick pause in between. Try to mimic a wounded bait fish. During the quick pause, try flipping the tip of the rod a little, this gives the fly a unique action. When fishing crayfish patterns, let them sink near the bottom and give them a quick pull, making them bounce off of the bottom. Run these flies for only a short distance and then pull them in. This avoids dragging on the bottom for too long and hanging up.
Fly fishing for smallmouth is a great way to spend a day on the water fishing. There seem to always be fish, and they almost always seem to be hungry. Smallmouth fishing is great for the beginning angler as well. They are easier than most fish to catch and will ‘hook’ a beginner to the sport.
Michael Lambert - Michael C Lambert , I reside in Sevierville Tennessee,in the beautiful Smoky Mountains, where I own and operate Smoky Mountain Streamside ...
