Small Mouth Bass Fishing

[CrookedRiverMike]

My partner and I will be floating the John Day River in April 05 and have never fished for smallies before. Any fly recommendations? Or tactics?
Thanks In Advance

[Fly_Line]

Well I never fished the John Day but I fish for smallies alot. My best and most favorite fly is the clouser. White, blue and black with a little krystal flash is the best color in my streams. Then of course the usuals; crawfish, wooly buggers, decievers they all catch fish.
Tight lines!

[This message has been edited by Fly_Line (edited 17 March 2005).]

[Ruger]

Flyline,
What size would you recommend for the barbell weights for a six weight rod?
Thanks,
Scott

[letorted]

I fish the Susquehanna for smallies, its hard to beat a Clouser most of the time.

Although I also like throwing Shenk's White Minnow, Deceivers, and buggers. Don't think you'll see much action on top in April, latter in the year I like to tease them into striking on the surface, love to see the boil of water during the strike.

Happy trails, hope you nail 'em....

[BigA]

Clousers and bead head wooley buggers in a variety of colors should work in early season. Make sure that you have some bright, gaudy colored flies (chartruese, yellow, white sparkle, etc) to use if the water is stained or muddy. If the water is cold, the fish will be in deep pools,eddies, or any area where the current is slow.

[CrookedRiverMike]

Thank you all for the info. I better get tying. I will post our results. This is a one day float with a 47 miler in mind for later in the spring or early summer (3 to 5 days on the river)

[jsalkas]

Mike, I'd be interested in hearing your report. We are planning a trip on the John Day next season. I tried searching for information, and the only thing I could find were websites for guides ("WE CAUGHT 200 FISH IN ONE DAY" you know the drill).

[Fly_Line]

What size would you recommend for the barbell weights for a six weight rod? [

I use x-small 5/16 and small 3/16 mostly depends on the speed of the water.

[flyangler]

Just be ready for a whee of a time. Smallies are great fighters. I have a photo of a nice one caught on a foam spider, but that was before our days of digital shootin, so I won't choke the bandwidth with that one.

[Gardenfish]

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