Just when I thought I had it all figured out - I bombed.
THE SPOT
Three weeks ago I was on a small river near home on my kayak and anchored near a well known run. I jumped off the kayak to wade fish. I took two smallies right off the bat on a yellow popper (the fly of the summer, so far) before the really hot ones shut down. I then switched to an olive Clouser and probed the depths finding three more fish to take the more subtle underwater approach.
This is a classic run, very similar to any good trout stream run where a shallow riffle gives way to a sweeping run that is perhaps 4 - 6 feet deep. There’s plenty for everyone in a run like this. A constant supply of shallow dwelling critters swept into the hole and enough depth to offer security from aerial predators.
I figured this is the perfect spot to film some cool on-the-water scenes for our viewers. On two separate occasions over the last two weeks I have returned to this hotspot. Two weeks ago I went in by land on my 4-wheeler only to be completely shut out after setting up a tripod, etc. for filming.
The other night I decided on a water approach and paddled my kayak UP RIVER for nearly 40 minutes straight (full bore) before dragging it that last 100 yards to the heralded spot.
Same result: Not one bite! As I floated down to the take-out spot, I managed three sympathy fish. Yes, the kayaking was invigorating and the summer’s evening beautiful. (But I am still pissed I did so poorly.)
THE HATCH
A week ago I stumbled down to the Mississippi on the head-end of a full moon. Although the water’s high for this time of year, I thought I’d take a look. Near dusk I noticed a robust ephoron leukons hatch commencing. The “Whites” were suddenly everywhere - like a blizzard. A few fish began rising on the duns, especially 2 -4 mayfly clusters which is a common characteristic of this specie.
I noted a large swirl about 20 feet in front of me as darkness descended. I always carry some Light Cahill standard dry fly patterns, just in case. On the second drift a fish took the fly and powered across the shallows like a train. Five minutes later, after a fabulous tussle the 20 inch smallmouth was released. I managed a few nice fish after on the trout-like dry fly scenario.
I returned the next night ready for action. The conditions were similar with two notable exceptions:
No Whites
No Fish
Morale: Don’t presuppose anything in this game. Treat every outing as a new adventure and don’t be too disappointed if things don’t work out quite the way you envision.
There’s more to a slow moving sandy river than a fishing destination. Yesterday a group decided it was time to float a small river near my home. Four gals and one guy. Normally pretty good odds right?
My wife, daughter, and two other good friends in inner-tubes in brightly colored regalia tried to scare every fish in the river.
I did the smart thing and enlisted my Crow Wing Kayak to maneuver and keep away from this floating disruption.
This river is controlled by a dam and is normally very low in the middle of the summer. Recent rain storms have brought it up allowing for super floating and fishing.
I assumed the fishing would be tough since there are few holding areas for fish along the shallow sandy bottom. I did finally manage one decent (16 inches) smallie on a yellow popper.
I arrived at a known hot spot down river and got out of the kayak, attached it to my waist with a rope, and slowly waded my way down the run. I hit a fish on the first cast and then missed a big one on the third. I got him to come up one more time and held him briefly before we parted. That was it for the popper action.
I decided to switch tactics and probe beneath the surface. One can do this when wade fishing to cover good spots more thoroughly than when drift fishing. Sure enough, a green Clouser produced three more fish out of the run that never would have hit the popper. I cover this in quite a bit of depth in my eBook: Top Ten Flies for Smallmouth Bass.
When river fishing, it’s common to see boats drifting down a bank working flies off the shoreline. Smallmouth bass often will hold close to the bank and this method of “bombing the banks” can be a very effective way to fish smallies any time of year. Another twist to this technique is to drift mid stream reefs and structure to target fish that see little pressure.
Alternatively, a very effective and simple way to get the most out of specific area is to wade fish. Many smallmouth and trout anglers prefer this method since one can scour an entire area, working different kinds of water thoroughly, before moving.
Drift fishing and bank bombing are largely targeting the more aggressive fish, tempting them to react quickly to an unexpected meal. Time of day and presentation method vary.
For example, in Minnesota smallmouth surface activity is generally best in the afternoon. I presume this has to do with rising water temperatures, but I am unsure exactly why fish look up more in the afternoon than earlier in the day. After fifteen years of experiencing this behavior I know for a fact they generally will turn on a popper better later in the day.
The prime summer time hours for top water are from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Often, the hour just before dark in not as good as earlier in the evening. Obviously dark, cloudy days and other factors can initiate surface activity all day long, but rarely. To stack the odds in your favor, if you want top water, go in the afternoon.
Last Saturday, on a trip through the Beaver Islands south of St. Cloud, MN, we had the privilege of floating some of the finest bronzeback water in the country. Fist-sized rocks and large boulders scattered about and few weeds make this a joy to fish in and around the myriad of riffles, runs, pools, reefs, and rock fields.
We started by parking on a gravel bar and wade fishing an area. Most of the action was subsurface and the size of the fish ranged from 12 to 15 inches. I like to pull out a popper periodically to “check” and see if they will hit one. If I don’t get a strike in slower water, adjacent to a seam or eddy within ten minutes, I will switch back to subsurface.
We caught fish on a variety of patterns including:
I had the pleasure of catching my first fish on a homespun tube fly in a chartreuse and white design. I used the HMH equipment, including their super Spartan Vise to craft several flies both weighted and unweighted.
At 3:00 p.m., right on schedule, the top water activity commenced. Remember to keep checking throughout the day to determine when (and if) they start looking up. The rest of the afternoon was spent in bronzeback heaven as big fish blasted ourin-shore poppers in a lime color.
To wade or drift…? Be prepared to do both and give the fish what they want!
In response to the previous post and the question: “What could be better?”
I have an answer: Dragonflies!
Keep your eyes peeled in your area for dragonflies. This time of year there are hatches of several different species and it’s like ringing the dinner bell for bass.
Observe the surface of local lakes and rivers under calm wind conditions. You might see bass busting dragonflies on the surface. Dragonflies eat and mate this time of year.
Often, during the mating process they are injured and will drop to the water - such is the price to pay for love!
Just about any popper will work for most fish under these circumstances since they are looking up and turned on to these big food items. Get the All Purpose Popper Selection Here.
A better option is to at least match the general color of the dragonfly with a popper. If that in sub-optimal, then go for a large Hexigenia-type pattern with spread wings - you will not fail. If standard popping doesn’t produce, try shivering the fly. A wounded or nearly spent dragon will hit the water and struggle for a while. A tight “shiver” performed by simply shaking the rod tip, will replicate an injured dragon and bring big results.
Yesterday on a small mid-Minnesota lake I caught a bunch of largemouth greedily snarfing up most anything that hit the surface. Two days later we smacked ‘em good on a small tributary to the Mississippi.
Tie into this action on your local waters before the Dragons of June are gone.
Memorial Day weekend in Minnesota means the official opening of bass season. Reports have been varied across the state, but most smallmouth anglers had decent action, largely based on spawning fish. I assume it will be similar for largemouth as well.
We had a weird thing happen. My brother took his son fishing on a small mid-Minnesota river via canoe. He was steering the boat and trying to fly fish periodically while his son was throwing a wood popper plug off the bow.
The boy had good action going 13 for 17 on smallies up to 18 inches with the plug. My brother did not get a hit on his fly popper. Hmmmm.
Anyone else out there have anything weird happen this weekend. I believe this anomaly might have something to do with spawning fish.
A larger plug might have created a more formidable intruder in or near a nest instigating a more forceful reaction. The small popper moving along the surface may not have been invasive enough to cause such a response. I doubt that’s what happened, but it’s possible.
There’s more to a slow moving sandy river than a fishing destination. Yesterday a group decided it was time to float a small river near my home. Four gals and one guy. Normally pretty good odds right?
I arrived at a known hot spot down river and got out of the kayak, attached it to my waist with a rope, and slowly waded my way down the run. I hit a fish on the first cast and then missed a big one on the third. I got him to come up one more time and held him briefly before we parted. That was it for the popper action.
