I can’t speak for all fly fisherman but I tend to develop a nervous, almost sick feeling of desperation when the region I call home or an area I am visiting is experiencing
a drought. I find myself obsessively watching the weather channel to see when the next weather pattern will drop several inches of rain to replenish my favorite brook. When I realize that my hopes, prayers and occasional rain dance are futile, I begin to shift my thoughts toward the bounty of warm water species. Under these conditions a window of opportunity exists. One can access river sections where normal flow would be too difficult and dangerous. It is a time when hauling a boat or portaging a canoe is not necessary. It means one thing. It means low water smallmouth bass.
When our rivers and larger streams are in low water conditions, smallmouth bass are
forced to congregate into the large deep runs and pools to find cover and food. The larger fish that are normally difficult to locate, become extremely territorial and aggressive. These conditions require a need for a careful approach. Due to the lack of current, a less than stealthy approach will send a wake across a low water pool causing fish to run for cover. If an angler approaches these areas cautiously, he or she can be rewarded with some explosive strikes.
Overcast Drizzly Day’s
Sounds terrible right? It’s the kind of day weatherman apologize for. You know, those ho-hum sleepy types of days. However, overcast, muggy, drizzly days are a smallmouth fisherman’s dream. On sunny clear “bluebird” days, smallmouth will head for what cover is available once the morning sun unfolds over the water. If I am fishing on these types of days, daybreak and dusk are the when I want to be on the water. On cloudy drizzly days, one can experience good smallmouth fishing all day long. The advantage of these types of days is that shadows are not an issue. Fish will cruise the shallows longer and remain active in search of prey. Without question my productivity has been tenfold under these conditions.
Equipment And Flies
Although many of the river smallmouth you will encounter in Pennsylvania Rivers and some of our larger streams will be in the ten to twelve inch classes, I would recommend using a fly rod in the 6 - 8 weight range. I prefer an eight weight. It allows me to cast larger wind resistant flies. It also helps when you latch onto a 16 plus inch river smallmouth who will test your tackle. Even though the smaller bass will be the norm they will still be quite respectable in their fighting ability.
My three favorite smallmouth patterns, listed in order are; black, yellow and lime green poppers, the crippled minnow in chartreuse and white and of course the Clouser minnow tied in natural colors along with chartreuse. My favorite is one I tie with fox squirrel tail. Although a minnow imitation by design, I truly believe it imitates a crayfish better than most popular patterns.
Leader And Knot Suggestions
Leaders do not have to be sophisticated. There are many leader formulas that can be found on the web. When choosing or constructing a leader for smallmouth I prefer an eight to ten foot stiff leader. My three favorite leader formulas are Lefty Kreh’s salt-water formula. Bob Clouser’s smallmouth formula and my personal favorite is a leader formula that I was introduced to while on a redfish trip to Houma Louisiana. Captain extraordinaire, Danny Ayo uses a two-step formula that is as simple as I have ever seen. I since have used it for bonefish, carp and smallmouth and it has never failed. It involves using a butt section of 50 lb test 5-6 feet long then stepping down with a 2-3 foot section of 12 lb test using an albright knot then adding the lock knot for security. It is an easy knot to tie and is also a pretty knot. It is a knot that is specifically used for tying together two pieces of leader material with a large difference in diameter. (50 lb – 12 lb)
By using a stiff leader, it will enable your flies to turn over quite easily.
For attaching the fly to the leader I use the non-slip loop knot. Properly tied, it is a strong knot and gives your fly more action than a knot that is tied up against the eye of the hook
Mike O’Brien introduced me to this knot during a carp trip on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River near Williamsport. I now use this knot for all of my connections with the exception of a dry fly.
Final Thoughts
Pound for pound smallmouth bass are without a doubt one of the best fighting fish on the planet. What’s even better is they are common to our home rivers. Good smallmouth fishing can occur well into the fall. My favorite months are August and September. So the next time the doldrums of a long dry spell plague our area waterways, don’t be afraid to seize the moment and pursue these bronzed backed beauties. You won’t be disappointed.
Ken Vallino
Edited by Lisa Sajna
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