Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Selecting the right color tube bait for river smallmouth

When it comes to lures, the number one topic of discussion is almost always centered around color selection. How many times has another angler asked you, “What color are you using?”. This question often becomes more complicated when you are talking about river fishing for smallmouth bass. The river environment is very dynamic and water conditions [...]

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Smallmouth Bass Flies

Below are some of the best Smallmouth Flies for topwater and sub-surface action. Stonefly Bugger - size 6 Franke Hellgrammite - size 4 Clouser Minnow - size 6 Clouser Deep Minnow - Size 6 Gaines’ Sneaky Pete - size 4 Crayfish - size 8 Popper size 4 - 6 Zonkers size 4 - 6 Bead Head Woolly Bugger size 4-6 Dragonfly size 4-6 Foam Slider [...]

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Knots for Fly Fishing

There is no substitute for learning to tie good knots. If you build your own leaders you have the added flexibility of customizing leaders for different presentations and fishing situations. Nail knot - Used to attach the leader butt to the fly line. If you lightly coat this knot with epoxy, it will last all [...]

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Fly Fishing Leaders and Tippet

The goal for most fly fishers is to provide the fish with a drag-free drift. This means the fly must look like it is not attached to anything (the leader) as it drifts in the current. A leader designed to fall on the water with built in slack will help accomplish this. The George Harvey leader [...]

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Fly Casting

Understanding the mechanics and physics of the cast will help you to optimize your casting skills and develop your own casting style. Line speed and timing, not power, will gain you more distance and control. You cannot make a cast until you get the end of the line moving. On the back cast, the end [...]

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Choosing a Flyrod for Smallmouth Bass

As an instructor for fly casting, working with students in my classroom set up in my basement and also working with and guiding them on the water, I have no gain in what equipment they buy. So when I recommend a rod to a student or angler it is for one reason… it is the [...]

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