Smallmouth on the Fly: An Introduction

There is nothing like fighting a smallmouth bass on a fly rod. They are undeniable predators. Not only do these fish punch way above their weight class, they attack topwater with the fervor we all wish trout would come winter. Here in Central Virginia we are blessed with being in the heart of trophy smallie water, and right now in June we are dialed in on these Bronzebacks. 

Species Overview

Despite their common name, smallmouth bass (along with largemouth) are actually members of the sunfish family, Centrarchidae. In Virginia, these game fish are native to south-western part of the state with the naturalized populations thriving here in central Virginia. Amazingly, smallmouth bass can live up to 15 years, reach lengths over 20”, and typically weigh around 5lbs. The largest smallmouth to ever be recorded was a 1955 catch of 11lbs at 27”! 

Smallmouth tend to be the top predator wherever they are present meaning they feed on BIG prey. When they are young, they have their fill of nymphs, but mature smallmouth bass go for small baitfish, frogs, crustaceans, and even small mammals – try stripping a mouse out there at dusk and you’re in for a treat!

As with any fish, it is important to leave them alone while they spawn. This is a highly stressful and energy intensive time of their year and even the gentlest angler can cause serious harm. Once water temperatures reach around 60F and you see the males preparing rocky, circular beds, give them a few weeks rest. Pre-spawn bites in February and March are a great time to throw heavier streamers on sinking lines. And post-spawn smallmouth are known to hunt up and down the water column.

The Strike

As ambush predators, smallmouth bass lurk around structure, edges of changing conditions, and just inside the shade, all in hopes of catching a baitfish by surprise. Focus your casts in these areas. If you find submerged structure, work to cover most of that water systematically to coax a smallmouth to feed. This is a great time to work on flinging heavy flies low, working that fly under tree branches close to the bank. Large boulders also provide great spots for lurking smallies.

Be prepared for a quick strike. I can’t tell you how many times I get a big eat the second my fly hits the water. Smallmouth like to take advantage of disoriented bait so these moments of inconsistency in your presentation can work to your advantage. When flinging streamers, they often hit on the pause after a few energetic strips. 

The Fight

Keep your rod tip low and fight the urge to pull upwards when you feel a strike. The best way to ensure that smallmouth gets hooked is a sharp strip set. The way these fish attack, one large, forceful pull of your fly line behind you will serve you best. After the hookset, now it's time to raise that rod tip up, applying consistent pressure during the ensuing fight. 

Remember to keep your rod tip high as you strip line in and don't be afraid to let tension in your rod do some heavy lifting. Smallmouth are tricky and will flee to underwater structure if given the chance. To avoid an aquatic cat’s cradle situation, small strips to get the fish in rather than reeling in the slack line by your feet will allow you to net more fish. 

Fly Patterns

This may be one of the best parts of smallmouth fishing: streamers. These are fun and imitate larger food sources: minnows, crawfish, frogs, and other small animals that might find themselves in the predatory sights of a smallmouth. Many bass-focused flies have action that fire up a fish’s prey drive. Articulated or not, the tied materials have serious bulk that a more aggressive line will be able to turn over. The stripping action allows these larger flies to displace more water and therefore create a greater disturbance, all to coax that smallmouth out from hiding. 

When it comes to stocking your bass box, and any fly box really, it is important to keep a few things in mind. The first is having flies capable of reaching varying depths. A sinking or sink-tip line is a crucial component here. More on that in an upcoming blog post. Another key is having a variety of colors. Water conditions, sun intensity, and the attitude of the fish that day mean finding the right colors can be a bit of a game.

Here at the Albemarle Angler, we fish a ton of BoogleBug Poppers. We stock them in a full variety of colors. We recommend going for darker colors when the sun is high and bookending your days with lighter whites and yellows as the sun comes in at an angle. This strategy can help an angler take advantage of contrast and get the rush of a topwater bite. In smaller waters, try out a Mini Popper. Chubby Chernobyl patterns are another great choice for smallmouth. A dead drift is solid, but try skating one across the surface to vary your retrieve. Make sure you and the fish can hear that classic bloop.

Wiggle Minnows and Swimming Frogs offer a different profile and a bit more disturbance than your classic popper. The wiggle minnow, as its name suggests, has side to side action as you strip it in. Fish this and the frog just like a popper. 

Wooly Buggers are a solid year-round pattern, especially when targeting smaller bass or fishing smaller streams. These streamers imitate small baitfish and typically stay high in the water column. If you are fishing a floating fly line, try a fluorocarbon leader. These have a better density than nylon for sub-surface fishing. Short strips with adequate pauses or a dead drift can net you a whole lot of smallmouth. 

Dungeon patterns will also put you in a great sub-surface strike zone. Mini Dungeons in a size #06 are killer in this earlier part of summer These, and other articulated flies like the Double Gonga have crazy action on them. When retrieving, you will want to be somewhat erratic with strong strips and pauses. Remember that you are trying to get that fly to look like a fleeing baitfish. As we get deeper into the summer and if you are fishing on larger bodies of water, trying out an XL Dungeon invites a fantastic strike!

Kreelex are a great option for areas of heavy flow. They are flashy which provides great contrast in muddier conditions. Their weight also helps them swim more efficiently in fast flows. 

Try scraping a Clawdad pattern across a rocky river bed. Giving it small bursts of energy every now and then is a great way to fish deeper in the water column. Ensure you're giving the fly enough pauses. Crawdads emerge from their winter hiding spots to molt and mate when water temperatures reach 50°F. A freshly molted crawdad is reddish in color so give that a try in the Spring. During the summer, try throwing darker Clawdads. But in every season, remember that this is imitating a creature that loves hiding under rocks and in crevices, so fishing with some sort of sinking line will be best. 

Of course there are plenty of other flies that will fire up a smallmouth bass, but these are some of the Albemarle Angler favorites. Next time you’re in the shop, let us know what your favorite smallie flies are! We are always happy to chat about techniques and patterns.