In some areas of the country, early April is considered to be one of the
best times for bass fishing because the fish feed heavily while preparing to
spawn. Spawning is controlled by water temperature, and water temperatures
vary in different areas - it's best for the angler to get into the habit of using
a water thermometer to detrmine when spawning is apt to occur where he
fishes. Largemouth bass generally spawn when whter temperatures are
in the 62 to 65 degree range.
Before the spawn starts, when water temperatures climb over the 50 degree
mark, bass begin moving into areas where they will later spawn. Throughout
this period fly fishermen will find plenty of action in 1 to 3 feet of water
near shore. The fish constantly prowl shorelines looking for food and
are less selective in their feeding than at any other time of year.
We like to fish in the morning with Woolly Worms, Wooly Buggers, and
Marabou Leeches in sizes 4 - 6, patterns that provide plenty of action
to tempt the bass. By mid-afternoon when the sun is at its warmest,
we switch to Deerhair Frogs or Bumblepups in sizes 2 - 6. This is the
first legitimate opportunity of the year to fish floating bugs and enjoy
the excitment of topwater strikes.
Try casting a Deerhair Frog near the bank where whater is only a
few inches deep and practice twitching the lure toward deeper
water. Keep the rod tip pointed toward the frog and at about
a 45-degree angle to the water so it will absorb the fish's energy
when a strike occurs.
When the spawn is in progress it's the male's job to protect his
nest, and he strikes viciously at just about anything that enters
his area. Adult bass are easy to catch during the spawn, and
because of heavy pressure on the nation's bass population, we
recommend anglers allow the fish to spawn unmolested and
that any bass taken be returned immediately to the water
unharmed.
When the female bass finishes laying her eggs, she leaves the
nest and moves to deeper water to rest and recover from the
rigors of spawning. Whe the newly-hatched bass are able to
to fend for themselves they form schools, leave the nest, and
head for shallow areas where they can hide and find food in
the security of dense vegetation. When the fry leave there is
no longer a need for the male to guard his nest, so he drifts off
into deeper water and rests a few days before heading back into
the shallows to feed.
Fishing improves after the fish rest a few days, and fly
fishermen who spend as much time as possible on the water during
this period, will be well reqarded for their efforts. Bass are
very aggressive in the late spring and a variety of streamer and
bucktail patterns as well as deerhair frogs and poppers will
produce good action.
It is important to keep in mind that the largemouth is a predator
that prefers to hide in or behind some type of cover so it can
ambush its prey. The bass's body shape allows it to swim
easily among weeds and other forms of cover and it is
designed for short bursts of speed rather than fast swimming
for long distances. Though it will occasionally chase potential
food for a short distance, it is not a relentless pursuer like a
northern pike ofr muskellunge. A bass would rather stick close
to cover and strike quickly from ambush, wasting as little energy
as possible while collecting its food.
Knowing that should have an effect on how a fly fisherman goes
about trying to hook a bass. The most successful fisherman has
learned to recognize and fish only cover where bass are apt to be
hiding. He's learned to cast accurately and place his fly as close
as possible to weeds, tree stumps, logs, and various other kinds
of cover, trying to put the fly or lure right on the nose of a hiding
bass.
The angler can increase his success during the hot summer months
by fishing in the early morning, in the evening and at night when
temperatures are coolest, and by intentionally avoiding the hottest
part of the day which can be uncomfortable for both fish and
fishermen. Bass search for food in shallow water while the water
is cool, but when it warms they head for deeper, more comfortable
areas out of the direct sunlight.
Thereis no time of day I enjoy being on the water more than
in the early morning. The water is usually calm then, it's the
coolest part of the day and so quiet I can hear what's foing on all
over the lake, and I like seeing all the things that happen around
a lake early in the day. Many animals are still active at sunrise
and while fishing I've seen a variety of wildlife species including:
deer, coyotes, bobcates, moose, and antelope stop by for a
quick drink before bedding down for the day.
All kinds of gamebirds and non-game birds are active in the
morning. I enjoy listening to pheasants cackling while I'm pulling on
my waders and seeing red-twinged blackbirds flit from cattail to
cattail while I'm wading to a promising spot, or hearing the rush
of wings as teal zip past me while I'm casting. People who stay in
bed late in the morning miss seeing and being a part of a whole
separate special world that begins each day just at first light and
lasts for only an hour or so. ~Tom Keith
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