Smallmouth Bass Stream Report

UPDATED EVERY FRIDAY:  June 22, 2012

WATER CONDITIONS:  

Clear water, 2′-3′ visibility.  Normal water level, but falling.  Water temperature varying in the upper 60′s and lower 70′s.

Water watch:

• Nolichucky
• French Broad River
• Pigeon River

FLY SUGGESTIONS:  

Rust colored Crawfish Patterns, Wiggle Minnows, White and Black Streamers, poppers.

GENERAL INFORMATION:  

As the temperatures rise, try fishing sections of water just down river of where a cold water stream enters the river.  In addition, as the sun progresses throughout the day, fish the shady banks.  For instance, in the morning the shady side will be river right and in the afternoon the shady side will be river left.  On a recent Smallmouth trip with Richard Witt, most of the

fish were sitting in medium speed water in an average of 3′ depth.  However, the fly being used didn’t have a lot of weight to it, so that would explain why this depth produced more fish.  There again, if you are not catching fish, you more than likely are not getting your flies deep enough.   Richard was using a Scott 9′ – 8WT rod with a very nice Galvin reel.

Fish were also found in their typical holding spots.  Typically fish like three things… food, rest and oxygen.  For instance, a big boulder or rock ledge is an ideal home for a Smallmouth bass.  There, a fish can

rest in the slow water behind, or in front of the rock, or below the ledge.  There it can quickly move a few feet into a bubble line or current where food is channeled and then immediately move back to its resting place.  And the water tumbling over the rock provides the oxygen they need.

Planning a fly fishing trip for trout or Smallmouth bass?  Let the professional fly fishing guides from Curtis Wright Outfitters take you there!