In fishing there’s no such thing as “Fall.” There are actually 3 different falls. “FALL FISHING FRENZY! SUPER FALL ACTION!” Over the decades, I’ve seen a multitude of magazine articles with titles like these, raving about fall smallmouth bass fishing. And it’s true. At times, fall can offer some of the most spectacular fishing of […]
Driving out full-sized smallmouth or largemouth flies 55 feet all day long (and often in wind) isn’t easy. That’s why everyone has to learn to haul. I’m not going to kid you. Fly casting for bass takes a lot of effort. It’s vastly different than most of the casting that’s required on Eastern and Midwestern […]
Using some simple techniques and looking for certain things you can still enjoy productive smallmouth bass fishing. One of the most challenging situations for the smallmouth bass fisherman is when streams and rivers get low and extremely clear. The hot, dry days of summer can take their toll, causing stream flows to drop off significantly. […]
In prime smallmouth bass hotspots, it’s often best to fish on foot, to thoroughly cover the area and cast to all the active smallies. Many anglers truly enjoy wade fishing, too, includng fly folks coming from stream trout backgrounds. But on bigger smallmouth streams, floating by watercraft is often the best way to really cover […]
Rocks and smallmouth bass . . . they go together like lily pads and bluegills, right? Not necessarily. While rivers generally need lots of rock to have high numbers of smallies, river sections with only a little rock can have more big smallmouth bass than many realize. There are a couple key reasons why some […]
With just a rod, some lures, and a set of legs you can head out and fish. This is truly simplified angling. It was a warm July afternoon and I was waist deep in a gravel-bottomed stream. The warm water felt good, since wet wading is a little like swimming while you’re fishing. More important, […]
My days on the water are a bit more enjoyable since eliminating the 2-4 mile hike downstream to put-in. Every stream smallmouth bass angler who fishes solo and wants to cover more water than what’s available at bridges or other access points faces the same issue: how do you get from your vehicle (typically left […]
My affair with limestone goes back a long way. Growing up around steep hills and rocky ridges, some of my earliest smallmouth bass fishing was in the local limestone-laden streams. In love at first sight, I was immediately captivated by the look of these streams as they twisted past golden bluffs and rushed over ragged […]
After 21 years of guiding, one thing really stands out — fly fishing for smallies is plenty challenging. I could tell some stories. After 21 years of guiding all sorts of guys in all sorts of conditions, I have plenty of humorous and interesting tales. But there’s one thing that really stands out in my […]
