Fly Fishing for Smallmouth Bass
While many fly anglers primarily focus their efforts on cold-water species like trout and salmon, an exciting opportunity awaits those willing to explore the thrilling world of smallmouth bass. Although it’s common for fly fishermen to dabble in various species, smallmouth bass stand out as a prime target, perfectly suited for fly fishing. Their eagerness to strike at both surface flies and deeper presentations, combined with their tenacious fighting spirit, makes them an exhilarating quarry.
Locating Smallmouth Bass
Most smallmouth bass fly fishing occurs in smaller bodies of water such as ponds and streams that are easily waded, but limiting your search to these accessible areas only scratches the surface of the potential available. Smallmouths can thrive in a variety of environments, including expansive rivers and even the vast expanses of the Great Lakes. Exploring these larger waters can open up new avenues for success, offering the chance to encounter bigger fish and more challenging conditions.
When targeting smallmouths, look for structures like rocks, submerged logs, and weed beds, which serve as prime holding spots. Consider varying your approach based on the size and depth of the water you’re fishing. In shallower areas, surface flies can be extremely effective, especially during feeding times, while deeper waters may require sinking lines and weighted flies to reach the fish below.
Expanding Your Horizons
Don’t be afraid to venture into less conventional locations for smallmouth bass fly fishing. While wading smaller streams may be your go-to strategy, challenging yourself to fish larger bodies of water can yield fantastic results. Whether you’re navigating the current of a river or casting from a boat in a Great Lake, adapting your techniques to match the environment can elevate your fly fishing experience.
With the right gear and knowledge of smallmouth behavior, you can tap into the immense potential that these fish offer. Their aggressive feeding habits and fierce fight ensure that every outing is filled with excitement, making smallmouth bass a must-try for any fly angler looking to expand their fishing repertoire.
Summer Feeding and Spawning Patterns
Water Temperature and Smallmouth Fly Fishing
Timing is Everything
During the summer months, fly fishing for smallmouth bass can present a challenge as these fish retreat to deeper waters in search of cooler temperatures. However, with the right techniques and timing, success is still achievable.
In my local waters, particularly the Mohawk River, zebra mussels have significantly cleared the water, which alters the typical behavior of smallmouth bass. Although they prefer the depths during the day, smallmouths will often rise from the channel bottom to take advantage of feeding opportunities, especially when low light conditions prevail. This phenomenon is particularly noticeable at dawn and dusk when visibility is lower, making the bass more comfortable to venture up for a surface popper.
To maximize your chances during the summer, focus on fishing during these low-light periods. Use poppers and other topwater flies to entice bass when they’re more likely to come up from their deep haunts. Being on the water at the right times can lead to exciting surface strikes, transforming the challenging summer fishing into a rewarding experience. Remember, patience and persistence are key; the right conditions can yield fantastic fly fishing opportunities even in the heat of summer.
Understanding Smallmouth Feeding Habits
Smallies Seek Structure
Regardless of the size of the water body, smallmouth bass consistently orient themselves around structural features. They tend to favor rocky bottom substrates that stand out from the surrounding lake or riverbed. During the sweltering days of summer, these prime locations are typically found at greater depths, but they can often be identified by distinct variations in bottom conditions.
Key Structures to Target
- Underwater Humps and Rock Piles: These areas are excellent spots to target. The elevation creates a natural feeding zone, attracting smallmouths looking for shelter and food.
- Island Points: Especially where steep drop-offs occur, these points provide ambush spots for bass as they wait for prey to pass by.
- Manmade Structures: Don’t overlook the potential of dock pilings, bridge pilings, and jetties. These structures can create habitats that smallmouth bass find appealing for both feeding and protection.
- Rocky Points: Points that extend into lakes or rivers serve as magnets for smallmouth bass. These areas often provide ideal foraging opportunities as baitfish congregate.
Using Technology to Enhance Success
One of the most effective ways to narrow down your search for these underwater havens is by utilizing a reliable fish finder. This tool can help you identify structure and depth, allowing you to pinpoint the best areas for bass fishing. Additionally, obtaining a detailed lake map can provide valuable insights into underwater features and topography, guiding your fishing strategy.
Fly Fishing Smallmouth Bass: Morning and Daytime Techniques
Early Morning: Top-to-Bottom Presentation
When fly fishing for smallmouth bass in the early morning, a top-to-bottom approach to fly presentation yields the best results. As the sun rises and casts a low light, I always begin with topwater poppers. My go-to pattern is the Gartside Gurgler, known for its ease of casting and effectiveness. This fly doesn’t absorb water, allowing for quick retrieves and consistent action, making it a favorite among anglers.
Daytime Techniques: Adapting to Conditions
As the day progresses and the sun climbs higher in the sky, smallmouth bass often become less responsive to surface flies. When this happens, it’s time to adapt your technique. Initially, you can target bass still feeding on the edges of shallow flats using a sink-tip line with either a streamer or a crayfish pattern, fishing it close to the bottom.
Going Deeper: The Sinking Line Approach
As the sun rises higher and smallmouths retreat to deeper waters, you may find yourself fishing in depths exceeding 20 feet. To reach these depths effectively, a fully sinking fly line or shooting head becomes essential. I personally prefer using a shooting head due to its versatility and efficiency.
A shooting head consists of an interchangeable sinking line with a thin diameter running line behind it. Typically less than thirty feet long, shooting heads are heavy and sink quickly, allowing for rapid loading of the rod. While casting with them may take some practice, they excel at getting flies down to the bottom and keeping them there throughout the retrieve.
During bright sunny days, I often dredge the bottom with a crayfish pattern. This technique can still yield a fish or two, even after the initial morning feeding frenzy subsides.
Evening Techniques: Reversing the Approach
As the sun sets, the top-to-bottom approach reverses. The evening often brings some of the best action, particularly just before dark when smallmouths resume feeding on the surface. However, weather conditions play a significant role in surface activity. On particularly hot days, the surface bite may not occur until after dark, so it’s essential to remain flexible and ready to adjust your strategy based on current conditions.
The Best Fly Rod for Smallmouth Bass
For fly fishing smallmouth bass, I prefer using a 4-weight fly rod, which strikes the perfect balance of sensitivity and control. A rod of around 8 to 9 feet in length is ideal for casting from a boat or the shore. I typically rig one rod with a floating bass-taper fly line, which allows for effective presentations on the surface. For deeper presentations, I use a sink-tip line or a fully sinking shooting head system.
This setup allows me to adapt to varying conditions and depths while targeting smallmouth bass effectively. A lighter rod not only enhances the experience by providing better feedback during fights but also improves casting accuracy, especially with smaller flies.
Putting it all in Perspective
If you’re a die-hard trout or salmon angler, transitioning to fly fishing for smallmouth bass can feel quite different, but the rewards are well worth it. For instance, on the Mohawk River, where I spend a significant amount of my time fishing, I’ve never encountered another fly angler on the water. Can you recall the last time you had the Salmon River or the West Branch of the Ausable all to yourself?
Smallmouth bass are ideal targets for fly fishing, and by learning to adapt your techniques to varying conditions, you’ll find success in no time—even on expansive lakes or rivers. Embrace the challenge, and you might discover a new passion in pursuing these spirited fish!
Original Article By Robert W. Streeter
About the Author
Rob Streeter is an outdoor columnist for several newspapers and magazines, including “FishNY.com.” He is a freelance writer and photographer who especially enjoys fly fishing for steelhead, trout, and bass.
This article has been revised by Daniel O’Neill, an experienced angler and writer, to ensure its continued relevance and accuracy. As a result, it may no longer reflect the original author’s views or intentions.
