Local little ponds or the Greater Miami River. If you are partial to a particular brand, like Sage, Temple Fork, Orvis, Winston, or others, pick the rod you prefer in the brand you like. If I am wade fishing, I usually choose the 6 weight. They often feed on threadfin shad that are dying, due to the cold water. Photo courtesy of Fishes of Wisconsin, John Lyons, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Fly line brands are a personal choice in my opinion. All rights reserved. This selection of fly fishing tackle, is dedicated to fly fishing for smallmouth bass. A smallmouth bass fly fisherman, needs to understand to some extent, what these fish eat, in the waters being fished. You can cast larger flies with a 7, than you can with a 6 or 5 weight. And, let’s be practical. That will take you to a category, in our online store, specific to smallmouth bass fly fishing, and it features only the tackle, gear and flies I personally use and recommend. It was almost 14 years ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday. Its most fish-able area starts in the New River State Park near Jefferson and then flows northward for more than 50 miles. In narrowing that down a bit, I’ve had some memorable days of catching smallmouth bass. Most new moderately priced reels are saltwater safe these days. The same is true for reels. It wore me out. We keep all of our smallmouth bass rods lined up and ready to go. The “Little T” as we call it locally offers some great wading opportunities. If you are partial to a particular brand, like Sage, Temple Fork, Orvis, Winston, or others, pick the rod you prefer in the brand you like. Copyright 2015 Little River Outfitters, Inc. Other companies make excellent leaders and tippet. Since we are in the most southern range, the growing season is longer than it is in the northern states. Copyright Little River Outfitters, Inc. Smallmouth Bass painting Copyright 2015, by Mary K Jenkins. I use one too, for bluegill mostly. This fish is 18" long. A couple yrs ago I ended up with a 14ft flatbottom for partial payment for some work I did. If you asked 20 different avid smallmouth bass fly fishermen, which fly rods they prefer, you would probably get 20 different answers. In particular, we sometimes encounter a school of bass, attacking minnows in the middle of the lake. Smallmouth Bass Fly Fishing Fiberglass rods are making a remarkable comeback. Steve Hall caught this beautiful smallmouth bass on the French Broad River, in July. Dan Munger of Little River Outfitters with a beautiful smallmouth bass, caught on a fly in the Boundary Waters. That design helps when I cast heavy flies. During the months of April, May, and early June, anglers can enjoy some of the best fishing of their lives. "The Fish Lady", Townsend, Tennessee, MORE SMALLMOUTH BASS FLY FISHING PAGES They were not found east of the Appalachian mountains. Little Tennessee River is one of the most beautiful rivers in North Carolina and is one of the best rivers in the state for smallmouth bass fishing. Click the "More Info" Button below. Personally, I've had very little success on late fall/winter smallmouth as im on the shore. And, you can cast smaller and lighter flies with the 7 weight too. Maybe it is the shape of the fish or the muscle density or maybe it is all attitude. My wife and I just returned home tonight, and we both wish we could go back tomorrow. I was there that day, fishing from a kayak down river, so I missed the show. But, my favorite smallmouth bass fly rod is a 9’ 6 weight. by Bob Jensen In thirty five years of fishing all over the Midwest and much of North America, I’ve had the good fortune to get in on some outstanding fishing action for a wide variety of fish. All of my outfits have mid-priced reels, Orvis mid-arbor reels to be specific. Sometimes a 5 weight is a lot of fun to use for smallmouth bass. The river currents are slow and gentle flowing and the bottom layout is medium sized rocks, with shelves and ledges. This is a female bass that has just spawned. Smallmouth Bass painting Copyright 2015, by Mary K Jenkins, I love reels and have some really nice ones. The New has a South Fork and a North Fork. For now, my favorite smallmouth bass line is the Rio Smallmouth Bass line. Favorite smallmouth baits for river scenarios? Water Body Little River, TN. Fishing Little River upstream from this bridge, you have another mile to go before you hit the Goshen Prong Trail. River smallmouth in the fall will move to the shallow gravel banks to feed on minnows in the early morning so Smith will tempt these fish with spinnerbaits, Jewel Bait Company Gem Blades 2.0 rigged with swimbaits, Flukes and topwater lures. But, I do pull out some big flies, cast them on the 7 weight at times, and they do catch big fish, like the old saying goes. I would definitely have a reel with the capacity for plenty of backing. If I’m alone in my kayak, fishing for smallmouth bass, I always seem to choose the 6 weight. Little River, Smallmouth Report. Basically, they like cool, clean water. In fact, one day we were fishing and catching nothing. Caught my personal best smallmouth yesterday kayak fishing, 18 1/2" 4.1 lbs ! This trail is the access to Fish Camp and Goshen Prongs and crosses Little River just above the junction with Fish Camp Prong. They prefer rocky or gravel stream or lake beds. We may be fishing in deep lakes or rivers, in boats. Below Waterville Dam, the Pigeon is a tailwater and considered a trophy smallmouth bass river with fish averaging 1-4 lbs. Little Pigeon River Fishing Reports Recently shared catches and fishing spots. But, the fish on the tailwaters eat them up. Smallmouth Bass Home Little River is now a significantly smaller stream. Account. Their research indicates an adult smallmouth bass is about 8” long at 3 years of age and 15.75 inches at 7 years old. They say fluorocarbon is also less visible to fish. By luke_haugland March 20, 2006 0. But, lets face it, for smallmouth bass, a hand made reel, with cork drags and a price tag to match is overkill for smallmouth bass. Most fly fishermen reel with their left hand. Reproduction Behavior Next is the 7 weight. Smallmouth Bass Fly Fishing Outfits - Free Shipping Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/OVFishing. We have a wonderful smallmouth bass river, 5 minutes away from our home, called Little River. I tend to use smaller and lighter flies for smallmouth bass. Steve Hall caught this beautiful smallmouth bass on the French Broad River, in July. We use small, 1 ½ inch long threadfin shad patterns. So, all of my smallmouth bass outfits have mid-priced Orvis reels, with a sealed disk drag and they are all mid-arbor reels. By the way, I am right handed, I cast with my right hand and I reel with my right hand. We sell several major brands of fly fishing tackle at Little River Outfitters. The smallmouth are abundant, and they are large. Little River is flowing at 199 cubic feet per second (cfs) or 1.95 feet on the gauge. Water that is often stained with silt does not provide good smallmouth habitat. Here’s a video of some whopper plopper action from last week up in northern Wisconsin. Smallmouth Bass Diet All of my smallmouth fly rods are 4 piece, and made from graphite. Smallmouth Bass 0. Smallmouth Bass The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website, The Fishes of Wisconsin, reports that a 19 inch smallmouth bass in that state is rare. There are four. Trout daily limit is 5. I was there that day, fishing from a kayak down river, so I missed the show. Fly fishing for trout will be slow today and tomorrow. Other streams in the Smokies have similar flows and water temperatures. Smallmouth Bass Fishing: Big Water vs. Small Rivers Streams and river have currents making it easier to find smallmouth. I use Orvis leaders and tippet and have for at least 30 years. You may have the opportunity to use your outfit for saltwater fishing. I do the best out of current in "deeper" spots 10-15 feet (which is still shallow, but the deepest im able to get from shore) But, I think the video below from TacticalBassin explains fishing rivers … Little Tennessee River Smallmouth Bass. Notice the thin belly. I took a chance and didn't drop it overboard. Being practical, and thoughtful of the fact I may drop an outfit overboard, I assembled the smallmouth outfits I use on the lower end of the price scale for my use. I caught this bass late one day while testing a Game Changer fly. I need to go do some river fishing. This fly was so heavy, I used a 9 weight outfit. Smallmouth bass are members of the sunfish family. You may have noticed, both of the photos above were taken on cloudy days. This fish is 18" long. The smallmouth bass is the official state sport fish. Those are not the only Natural State waters that harbor good numbers of smallmouth bass, though. Didnt catch alot, but had a white bass surprise. I prefer the BVK, but to me, they both cast about the same. When I fish Little River, I always grab the 6 weight, my sling pack, waders and go. Only The Smallmouth Bass Smallmouth bass daily limit is two and each must be at least 12 inches long to keep. Best Smallmouth fishing river in Arkansas? If I am drifting down a river with a guide, I always take a 6 and 7 weight. Smallmouth Bass Diet My personal favorites are jerk baits, whopper ploppers, and weedless tubes. Sevierville’s waters will be teeming with … I can’t stand the thought of dropping a expensive reel and rod overboard, never to be seen again. Steve was fishing with guide Josh Pfeiffer. 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