Fly Rig For Small Stream Smallies

[DaveMac]

Let's say I'm a newbie fly fisherman who went out and bought a cheap fly rig with the intention of lashing a small stream for smallmouth. To keep the smallies from laughing hysterically at me, what do you guys and gals think would be a good rig to get started with? Line weight, tippet, flies etc. I'd like to keep it simple if possible just to begin the learning process. My apologies if this question has been addressed before.

[ozark trout fisher]

Let's say I'm a newbie fly fisherman who went out and bought a cheap fly rig with the intention of lashing a small stream for smallmouth. To keep the smallies from laughing hysterically at me, what do you guys and gals think would be a good rig to get started with? Line weight, tippet, flies etc. I'd like to keep it simple if possible just to begin the learning process. My apologies if this question has been addressed before.

I'd probably go with a 5 weight, maybe a six weight if you are planning on taking on bigger waters and using bigger flies. For small streams, I'd probably go 8-8.5 feet, though if you plan on fishing really small, brush choked streams, you might go shorter than that.

Flies... For most of the smaller streams, fly selection isn't that important I don't think-just like fly selection isn't very important on small, unpressured trout streams. For most smallie creeks around here, you'll want a good selection of woolly buggers, leaches, and crayfish in a variety of colors (mainly brown, olive, black, and white though) in sizes #4-#12. Then you'll want some smallish topwater bugs, as well as a few muddler minnows and maybe a Clouser minnow or two. And while this isn't really a very mainstream technique, I also often have success drifting something like a large stonefly nymph under an indicator just like you would for trout.

For leader/tippet, a ten foot leader tapering to something like 3x tippet will get it done most of the time. There are others on here much more experienced about fly fishing for smallmouths-this advice comes from a fly fishing trout fisherman who also likes to go after smallies, and not the other way around.

And good luck to you. I really do enjoy fly fishing for smallmouth, it's definitely a lot of fun.

[sean c]

Dave,

You can't go wrong with a 9' 5 or 6 weight for most freshwater fly fishing. If I was going to have one rod for bass, panfish and trout it would be a 9' 6 weight. Good luck.

[Al Agnew]

Well, if I was just going to use one rod, it would be an 8.5 ft. 5 wt. I find I can cast just about anything okay with a 5 wt, and it tires me out less than a 6 wt. Of course, if you use big heavy streamers and bass bugs, you might be ducking every now and then as the fly zings past your ear! Floating wt. forward line, leader tapering to 1X, 2x fluorocarbon tippet...you don't need to go real light on the tippet, cause the smallies aren't very line shy and you aren't going to be using really small flies. An assortment of weighted woolybuggers for fishing down deeper. I'm not a fan of most crayfish flies, because they are difficult to make them move like a crayfish, they are difficult to tie or expensive to buy, and they aren't really necessary...in all my non-fly fishing for smallies, I never use a lure that closely imitates a crayfish, and I catch plenty of fish. However, if you can find something that is kinda bushy in the body and has a couple of tails to loosely imitate crawdad pincers, it'll work well. Something like marabou muddlers to fish as an unweighted streamer just under the surface. And an assortment of bass bugs.

[fishinwrench]

I decided awhile back not to enter into "best rod/reel/line" type debates but I guess I just can't help myself....

Being able to cast somewhat oversized flies with a 5 wt. is one thing, that's a skill that can be learned. But having enough backbone to stab a #2-#4 hook into a fishes mouth gets harder the smaller the fish is. If the fish doesn't have enough size/weight anchoring it's position then it is pulled towards you during the hookset, and a 5wt. trout rod doesn't get the job done as well. Just something to think about. Most of the smallies you're gonna catch are going to be 10-13" and while you certainly do not need a fast 7wt. to win a tug of war with a 12 incher, it sure does help with the hookset, and the 7wt. is a better match for 8lb. tippet. A well balanced 7wt. shouldn't wear you out, and you'll appreciate the extra muscle and increased line speed if you start flinging 1/40oz. clousers and 4" strips of wet rabbit fur that cast like a wet dish rag on a 5wt , and you'll REALLY appreciate it when you start throwing sink-tip lines.

Just some food for thought.

[Danoinark]

A well balanced 7wt. shouldn't wear you out, and you'll appreciate the extra muscle and increased line speed if you start flinging 1/40oz. clousers and 4" strips of wet rabbit fur that cast like a wet dish rag on a 5wt , and you'll REALLY appreciate it when you start throwing sink-tip lines.

I have to agree. While a 7wt might be considered overkill in some instances its nice to go with a little more rod "just in case". You'll find that throwing meaty wind resistant hair bugs and poppers are a little easier with the heavier wt rod and line.

Dano

[flytyer57]

I use a 9' 7wt exclusivley for all my smalmouth fishing.

I could probably get away with a 6wt, but the 7wt does a better job of casting the bigger flies I use for smallmouth.

And if you catch an 18" smallie, you'll be glad for the backbone of a 7wt.

[RSBreth]

I'll have to agree that although a 7-weight is a better all around option for Smallmouth, if you're "just starting out" a 6-weight would be fine. After you get addicted to Stream Smallies you can branch out and get that 7 or 8-weight for bigger water. My favorite rod for smaller water (like the upper Finley or Bull Creek) is a 9' 6-weight. Plenty for decent sized poppers and weighted flys.

[DaveMac]

Thanks for the info guys. I've wanted to develop the capacity, but fly fishing has seemed like golf. Lots of stuff needed to get started and such. The analogy holds true to the extent that you need to go to the driving range and practice before hitting the first tee!

[RSBreth]

Thanks for the info guys. I've wanted to develop the capacity, but fly fishing has seemed like golf. Lots of stuff needed to get started and such. The analogy holds true to the extent that you need to go to the driving range and practice before hitting the first tee!

If you ever mention golf and fishing together I'll never help again. Just sayin'.