Smallmouth Bass

All about flies Fly Tying
1

I’ve never fished for smallmouth before so i was planning to go sometime next week. I have no clue as to what to use for flies, so if anyone could share a few basic patterns that would be great. Thanks

Logan

2

All white, or black wooly buggers.

You can’t go wrong with them!

Wishing you screaming reels in your new venture!
chris

3

I’d include some Clouser deep minnows- chartreuse/white, or brown/white.

Chuck

4

definatly black buggers! beadhead ones also.

5

Thanks. Are there any dries that are good for smallmouth?

6

deer hair bugs, like poppers.

Some other dries might include some royal wulffs but you might want to stick with frog immiatations for the top and leeches or crayfish on the bottom.

The water I fished dragonfly and damselfly nymphs were good, but wollies are the best id say.

p

7

Thanks. I didn’t realize that a lot of trout and salmon patterns could be used for bass.

8

logan:

If you hook up you’ll be amazed!!

I’ve had 15" smallies that make a 20" trout feel like a 3" sunfish!

Bob Clouser is the acknowledged master in my neck of the woods. He has a shop and a million dollar personality as well as some great books.

Google him and give him a call or e-mail. You can’t get a better source of information on fly fishing for smallmouth.

9

Yeah, I’m really excited to try it. I just realized there were bass in my area, so i figured it was worth a try after hearing about the fight they put up. I’ll also have to try to find that book.

10

Last summer, I caught a 15" smallmouth on a #12 parachute Adams. It’s probably not the preferred way to fish for them but a lot of trout patterns will catch smallies too. Woolies are by far the best medicine for them though.

Also, for topwater, decent size grasshoppers will take them if they’re looking up.

Jeff

11

Nova Scotia huh…
Here in Connecticut the smallies won’t be ready to come out to play for another month at least

I like simple streamers and poppers
Matching the water clarity is more important than matching the hatch in my book
Dull colors like brown, orange, yellow and gold in stained water
Brighter colors in clear water… White, chartreuse, silver…

One of my favorites is an all marabou steamer tied “thunder creek” style

12

If it were me I would add some Crawdad patterns in there. John

13

Here’s an oldie but a very goodie. Use a loop knot for extra action. It is easy to tie. Add some lead wire on the shank and tie 2 Mallard Flank feathers on either side. The trick is getting the feathers to lay correctly and sort of fold over each other creating the minnow’s back and adding some width or “shoulders”. I have caught Smallies, Rockies, and Whites on this fly. I would imagine Crappie will too.

http://www.madriveroutfitters.com/pc-2131-239-mallard-minnow.aspx

14

Raw, try them in Chartreus Mallard…MRO carries it…killer in the Olentangy.

I tied one up this year adding some Flash and a throat of Orange, Yellow and White Buck tail …looks like a little Green Sunfish…haven’t tried it yet.

ALSO, lil’ Buggers in Brown over Tan and Black over Black…can’t be beat.

15

If they are taking top water offerings, a Kiwi Muddler is a good bet. http://www.danica.com/flytier/msmith/kiwi_muddler.htm I don’t get near a fancy as this example. I use sparkle braid for the body, with just the zonker tail and deer hair head. Natural color head with gray tail, and all olive works well. Pearl, and gold sparkle braid are my two go to body colors. I have had smallies come up out of 6 feet of water after one of these. Dead drifted in the current with that zonker tail twitching, or stripped under and allowed to bob to the surface get’s them going too.

16

Thanks for the tip. Of course now I have to go visit MRO and give them this month’s check.

17

Another top water that hasn’t been mentioned. A Sneaky Pete/Shenadoah Slider pattern.

Fluorescent yellow has always been my best producer.

18

Nice fly.What did you use for the tail?

19

The Shenandoah Slider is good - especially in blue (in my neck of the woods).

For dries – other poppers or deer hair bugs, or large stimulators (size 4)

Underwater my favorites are a couple of Harry Murray’s patterns, the Strymph and Murray’s Hellgrammite and brown/orange clousers.

20

Logan,

I just posted my streamer box which is mainly used for smallmouth and trout. Mostly smallmouth. You cant go wrong with what has been mentioned already and it should give you a great start.

Seege