Several months ago, I was fly fishing in Colorado for trout with an older and very experienced guide. (By the way, I had a great day!) I happened to mention to the guide that it was interesting that big trout can be feasting on small insects quite often, but warm water fish like bass (smallmouth, largemouth, and my personal favorite, guadalupe) in contrast seem to ignore the insects (except terrestrials like grasshoppers) to concentrate on other fish and meaty items like frogs, etc. He said that was not the case, that the bass ate the same stuff as trout. I did not argue with him, but I find it hard to believe. So folks, when I am fishing for smallmouth or guadalupe bass in a small river like we have here in the Texas Hill Country, should I start using a #22 pheasant tail nymph or stick with my wooly buggers, grasshoppers,and etc.? Any professional zoologists out there who can give us an expert opinion?
Many thanks,
George