Preparing my smallmouth bass fly box.

I've been prepping my fly box for smallmouth bass.  I even made an outing on Monday.  Myself and a few others didn't fare too well on the same stream - me wading and the others floating.  I do know of some guides that caught a few smallies for a television show on another stream a few counties away.

I have read books and blogs about fly fishing for smallmouth bass.  I have read posts and tried many traditional and custom patterns.  Many streams have been waded and many cuss words uttered and shouted before figuring out enough to enjoy chasing smallmouth bass.

I have learned that even though a stream is stocked with smallmouth bass, it's not going to be a successful smallmouth habitat or have enough water clarity throughout the year to keep them in the stream versus heading to the lake or deep water.

A guy mentioned to me that anyone can wade streams and catch tons of smallmouth bass on small flies.  I guess he thinks my 2.5 inch Shucker is small - and compared to some flies, it does seem that way.  I do know that not everyone can catch tons of smallmouth bass on the same stream as those that may do it.  I also know that I have become a pretty good fly fisherman for smallmouth bass - mainly due to fishing the same locations for years and trying out different presentations.

I have learned that my style of fly fishing doesn't totally comply with Harry Murray's books or Dave Whitlocks smallmouth flies.  My smallmouth bass fly box contains the following flies - Crazydad (purple and orange), Chernobyl Ants/hoppers, size 4 Wooly Buggers, Betts poppers, Boogle Bugs, Panfish Charleys and the Shucker.  I will throw in Double Deceivers or Articulated Boogie Men and Articulated Butt Monkies too.  You've got to work the entire water column.  I agree to that somewhat.  I find that casting weighted flies into riffles works great.  I also find that casting into slack water behing riffles and letting my Shucker sink will catch smallmouth bass with a twitch or two.

That Shucker (olive and black) has been the most productive smallmouth pattern that I have ever used.  I tied up a bunch of James Wood Bucktail to try out - which I have never used before.  I also tied up about 30 Shuckers and 25 Chernobyl ants.  I would tie my own Crazydads but have not bought a dubbing spinner yet.  Besides, it gives me an excuse to visit the fly shop.

T.F.O. Lefty Kreh Signature Series II - Preseason Review.

After spending my Christmas money and using a coupon, this rod only cost me $7.  I must say, after casting it in my yard, I immediately noticed the quality and uniqueness of this T.F.O. fly rod.  I haven't cast any flies with it but in one afternoon of practice casting, I became very attracted to this rod.

This rod has a lifetime warranty.  I like the half wells grip which is smaller in diameter to other grips I've used.  The rod also has oversized stripping guides, and an anodized aluminum reel seat that matches my WR2 reel.  The medium-fast action fly rod has will provide great presentation and the distance is amazing but I am worried about casting heavy flies - but if I can cast flies with XXL tungsten barbell eyes, I'm sure this rod will do just fine.  The rod seems to load itself and casting seems effortless.  I've been using rigid GLoomis rods - sheesh.  What a difference!

I'll give a more thorough product review as the year goes on.  I've got to patch my waders now.

Cabela's Sling Pack - Budget Style - Fly fishing

I've been looking at sling packs for quite sometime now. I am somewhat budget minded when it comes to purchasing most things. So, I bought this sling pack from Cabela's. Thank goodness too. I tried it out today in the yard as I cast my rod. What a difference it makes not to have a strap over your casting shoulder. If you scroll down a bit on this page, there is a product video. It's just what I need to dig something out out of my pack without skipping my backpack off.http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/search.cmd?form_state=searchForm&N=0&fsch=true&Ntk=AllProducts&Ntt=sling+pack&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products

I've got some other reviews coming.  Just bought some wading shoes and I still have to cast a few flies on my new rod.

Presenting Bass Flies . . . as a gift.

I tied up a bunch of bass flies for my dad and step-mom - although, he just married her and I'm not sure if I should call her that yet.  He bought her a pink fly rod and they go pond hoping.  He bought me an overflow tying organizer (gear review to come) and sent me some hooks and tying materials for Christmas.  So, I tied up some pond flies for he and his lady friend.

As you can see, I like to make them in sort of an older style flair.  Dad likes to fly fish for trout and only hits ponds for bass and I was hoping to send him some smallmouth flies.  He got one or two of my Shuckers and some "Smallmouth Charleys".

Over the past few years, I've lost some accesses on a few streams and have been hitting the same spots over and over . . . and even in finding a new stream access, I wore myself out on that location.  I did hit some lakes and didn't do too bad.  So, in tying up Dad some bass flies for Bucketmouths, I decided to fill up a box or two for myself.

I also bought a new rod (gear review coming soon!) for smallmouth and panfish - and possibly not so heavy largemouth flies.  I have been looking at buying some nymphs from Allen's or Cabela's.  I hate tying small flies.  I used idolize the panfish and almost spend all of my year tying and fishing for them.  And, in managing Panfish on the Fly, I really need to represent.  Besides, I've got to show up Bill, right? :)

Tying Mike Schmidt's Double Deceiver - warm water fly fishing smallmouth bass.

My father showed me some of Brian Wise's articulated fly tying videos last fall.  I then met a few local guys on Instagram that were tying those flies for brown trout and doing well using the Sex Dungeon and Double Deceiver.  This past winter, I tied up a bunch of artiulcated patterns using Brian's videos but didn't fare so well on warm water species.  My Instagram buddies did pretty darn good with the Double Deceiver.  However, I stuck with the Shucker.  I went out last week and what would be deemed a horrible outing.  Luckily, a decent sized spotted bass inhaled my fly on the last cast of the day.  That Shucker pattern has caught me bass on every outing that I have used it - NO MATTER WHAT . . . that and I know where to throw it and some of those places not being great but do hold bass.

A link to Mike Schmidt's Double Deceiver by Brian Wise - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbLG30hU3fI

This year was the absolute best year for me in terms of size and amount of smallmouth bass landed.  Unfortunately, several locations I fish are not really welcoming to fisherman anymore.  I had to find new water and did pretty good with my Shucker.  Which is why I never really spent much time casting articulated flies.  I decided to tie the Double Deceiver.  I haven't gotten around to all of Brian Wise's flies but I have seen all of the videos.  I'm just being practical right now and will tie certain patterns when the time calls for it.  A lot of folks do know of these videos and there are a lot of people that don't have that privilege.  Which is why I am spreading the news.

If anybody is chasing trout, tightlines.  I've got someone building a nice 3 wgt. for me.  Hoping to land a few trout next month.