Winter Smallmouth

[Fly Fishing Fantasma]

Hello everyone! I have really enjoyed finding this site and reading all the posts. I've been fishing since I was a child and it is now a "healthy sickness" for me. My wife may not agree and with my first baby on the way I am getting while the getting is good.

A coworker and I are planning a winter trip to roaring river and to bennet over a few days the last weekend of C & R. This will be our first trip during catch and release season and look forward to doing some hog hunting. I have been wanting to try the winter for a while and am excited.

One of the reasons I've wanted to try BSSP in the winter is because I've heard the smallmouth fishing in the park is good since they are looking for warmer water that time of year. Can someone confirm this? I've never caught smallmouth on the fly and just know it will be a blast. Any tactics I should know?

Look forward to getting to know you all.

Lou

[FishinCricket]

Ain't no smallies in BSSP, only feral hillbillies.... STAY AWAY!!

Oh, and good luck!!

[laker67]

Yeah there is smallmouth at bssp, but you will be hard pressed to catch any. Seems as if a certain forum member has made a career out of giving them all soremouth. WElcome to the forum and keep us posted on those fishing trips.

[Fly Fishing Fantasma]

I've heard of those feral hillbilly fish! They bite on sweet corn and fried squirrel right? They are definately fighters when hooked!

Bit confused laker...I haven't fished there yet....

[FishinCricket]

I've heard of those feral hillbilly fish! They bite on sweet corn and fried squirrel right? They are definately fighters when hooked!

Bit confused laker...I haven't fished there yet....

I think he's referring to me.. But he's mistaken, I talk a mean game but (I repeat) there are NO smallmouth in the deep holes in Zone three.. They certainly don't bite on slow moving streamers.. And you may as well leave the big fat leeches and sink tip line at home... Cause there's no smallies down there!!

:big_silly_wink:

Oh, and if you see anyone down there stringin em up, grab the nearest blunt object and whack em over the head with it! (the fisherman, not the fish)

[FishinCricket]

Oh, and the "feral hillbillies" ain't fish... Some folk just call em locals.

[Flysmallie]

Some folk just call em locals.

And the rest of us call him Cricket.

[Wayne SW/MO]

They're c & r also so be kind to the native trout.

[Fly Fishing Fantasma]

Thanks for the advice....I think . No that sounds good! I probaly will try it out even though there are NO SMALLIES in the park since I am stubborn and will still enjoy trying. Man it is blowing cold here north of KC this morning and know that this could be what the weather is like in feb. or worse. Oh well, I'm sure it's worth it. SO if I don't have sink tip can I add a splitshot at the end of the fly line? I'm also guessing that you are fishing by feel that deep. Do the sm that are NOT there bite pretty light in the winter like other fish do? Can you fish them with an indicator or does that not work as well? Any suggestions on lodging that time of year? Oh and can you fish the niagua after the park closes?

[FishinCricket]

Yes, you can fish the river whenever you like.. There's a sign at the end of the park (confluence with river) that designates what is and isn't "the Park", but it's pretty obvious.

Lodging? Sand Springs is RIGHT there, so that is a time honored suggestion, but they're all about the same, I spose.

Yes, they are light biters, these smallies that aren't there.. Yes, I fish by feel, yes I fish the bottom, yes I catch more rocks than fish.. Sure, you can use split shot instead.

And, for the record, I am a fly fishing hack, I usually have my ultralight and a jig out by noon, if not before..