Iowa Smallies

[lastchance]

In what sizes do you tie them? Just curious.

[Linecaster]

David thank you for the picture, this explains what I was curious about. I see you have tied them in various sizes. I guess the variants work as well as the original?

[jimsnarocks]

That's scary to step into quicksand or muck that sucks you under. Been there done that. Nice recovery, nice fish and a refreshing report with pictures.

I like stories that include turkeys, deer, bob cats and other critters that come along while fishing. Thanks for that. Jim

[FishnDave]

Thanks Jim!

In what sizes do you tie them? Just curious.

#4 3xl streamer hook seems to be about the right size for smallies in the 11"-17" range...but obviously you can tie them at whatever size you'd like or to match the local forage size.

I guess the variants work as well as the original?

Great question. Historically, yellow and chartreuse lures & flies have caught Smallmouth Bass really well for me. I was a bit skeptical about whether the pearl (white) colored fly would work as well. But it definitely catches 'em!
Because we often have muddy water in central Iowa, chartreuse seems effective in that fish may be able to see it from farther away...plus they just love it anyway. That's why I tied up a couple in that color scheme...and it worked. That's not to say the Pearl/White wouldn't have done as well or better. You know how us fly-fishers / fly-tyers are...always experimenting.

[Philly]

Here in SE PA the white/pearl subsurface flies will out fish either chartreuse or yellow in the local creeks and rivers. Also done well with them in streams in central VT that hold smallmouth. Generally the water is clear which may be why they work better in this area.