There are a myriad of flies that will catch smallmouth bass. They aren’t exactly known as the pickiest of species when it comes to flies. For sure, you could approach a river with a Wooly Bugger or a Clouser Minnow and have success, as those two flies have collectively caught more species than any other fly… And yes, they will work as solid flies for river smallmouth bass.
Saying that, there are several flies that may be more effective and better appeal to a Smallmouth’s sensibilities, mimicking the three major food sources for Smallmouth Bass. Those being bait fish, crawfish, and sculpin. Switching flies randomly and often for smallmouth is generally ineffective.
Milwuakee River Fly Fishing guide Joe Davies doing what he does best
When to Swap Flies
Firstly, it is critical to change everything in your control before you change flies. It is important to change your casting angles, the cadence and speed of your retrieve, seeing what kind of a presentation and retrieve is most effective for the season and water conditions. If you are then still experiencing a lack of success after manipulating what is in your control, then it is time to switch out flies. It is crucial to remember to meet those fish where they are at.
Which brings up the second point, when you switch out flies, do it for depth, length, profile and size. If you are going to change up flies for river smallmouth bass, make a significant change… put on a fly that you can swim deeper, or a fly that pushes water, or is longer and presents a larger profile. If a baitfish pattern isn’t working, then use a sculpin pattern that you can swim in a different part of the water column. If you are using a long, large profile, then switch to a smaller fly. You will figure out the formula for catching these smallies much quicker as you change your controllables and figure out what depth, profile and size is working on the water conditions of any given day. Now, let’s get into the top flies for smallmouth bass.
Top 5 Flies for River Smallmouth Bass
The Finesse Changer
Blane Chocklett’s game changers create so much movement, swimming in the first 7 inches of the water column. With multiple shanks, the tail of this fly swims with the most movement in the water. Additionally, the Finesse Changer broadsides itself on the pause and the synthetic materials wicks water quickly, making this longer profile fly easier to cast. The Finesse Changer in white or purple/black seem to be the most effective flies for river smallmouth bass.
The Laser Minnow
This fly accurately mimics a baitfish and the narrow, yet tall profile will cause it to have some erratic movement while retrieving the Laser Minnow. Swimming in the first 6 inches of the water column, at approximately 2.5 inches long, it presents itself like wounded bait fish. The laser dub head will push a little water but the smaller profile better imitates a real baitfish.
The Crazi Craw
Looking like a crawfish, this fly mimics a significant food source for smallmouth bass. With lead eyes and significant flash, it consistently gets these smallies attention. Swimming lower in the water column, this is a great fly to use when you are fishing deeper water or when you need to get the fly down.
The Murdich Minnow
This fly is definitely a reliable fly when fishing for smallmouth bass. With a large flashy head, and collar behind it, pushes a bit of water while the sparse, flashy deer hair tail has a whispy movement. The Murdich Minnow definitely is an attention grabber, coming in two different sizes, this fly is versatile and can be used in a wide variety of water conditions.
The Sex Dungeon
Riding hook point up, this fly in olive mimics a sculpin effectively. With lead eyes, the Sex Dungeon can swim much deeper in the water column, similar to where sculpin exist. The articulation gives this fly a ton of movement, and the deer hair head will effectively push water, making it particularly effective in turbid, stained water. Pushing water, the fish will sense the fly, as the frequency of moving water will be sensed by the smallmouth’s lateral line. This is in our go-to flies for river smallmouth bass all day.
Smallmouth Bass Leader Rigging
Now that you have the flies that are diverse in size, length, profile, and depth of where it swims in the water column, it is important to understand why specific bass leaders are critical. Bass leaders have a thick butt section which extends further into the leader and tapers quickly to the leader’s class. This is important, as the leader acts more like an extension of the fly line, and the fact that the butt section extends further into the leader and are generally 8 feet long or shorter, this will make turning over the larger flies much easier.
This improved turnover allows you to make more accurate shots, either close to the bank or close to structure, where these smallmouth hide themselves and do their feeding. Using bass leaders with a breaking point from 8 lbs. to 12 lbs. is optimal when targeting smallies. In low and clear water, you may have to go down to an 8 lbs. breaking point leader. If the water is stained and moving quickly, you can get away with a more stout leader at a 12 lbs. breaking point. Having said that, a 10 lbs. breaking point leader is optimal for most conditions.
Smallmouth Bass Knots
When tying on your streamer to your bass leader, it is important to use some kind of loop knot. The one that seems most effective is the non-slip loop knot. This knot is not only stronger than a clinch, but the loop will give the fly additional movement, which will be more effective at enticing these smallmouth bass to eat. Now that you have some highly effective flies, a proper leader, and a strong knot that gives the fly additional movement, you are better prepared to target this awesome species in the river and have more success.
Check out angler and author Joe Davies @ Milwuakee River Fly Fishing for upcoming guide dates and booking some excellent smallmouth bass fishing.
Fishing for warmwater fish is much different than trout. You’ll need to prep that double haul practice, here we offer some easy tips to leveling up your fly fishing.
