No big SMB? Where did they go?

[sholgate]

I have a question for you more seasoned Small Mouth Bass (a.k.a. smallies, or Micropterus dolomieu) fly fishers:

I have been doing relatively well on the Schyulkill in the greater Reading are, but have not been hooking larger fish. 90% of the fish I catch are in the 6-11" range with only a very few over 12".

Is it (in your opinion) because ...

- Not many fish over 12" to be hooked in the areas I am fishing.
- Not fishing where the big guys live, I mean like the particular holds.
- Big guys are smarter and pickier.
- Big guys spool easily.
- or something completely different.

I am curious for your thoughts or advise.

[Kaz]

Many variables to mention , but here are a few thoughts: How are you fishing for them? Are you just using surface flies/ poppers? I fish a good bit of poppers just cause I enjoy catching smallies that way and I'll get a nice fish every now and then, over 15. If I fish underneath, larger fish are more common. If underneath, are you using a sinking line to get to the deeper holes when it's really hot.

Smallies take a while to get big in most PA waterways. Erie, Susky are some of the exceptions. Don't quote me, but think it is something like 6 yrs for a fish to be 15 and 8 or 9 to be 18 in.

[VTflyfishing]

Fish deeper this time of year.

[sholgate]

Thanks guys. I will give it a try tomorrow morning.

[rs0i]

I had some luck with smallies last weekend in warm water (Tionesta Creek, western Pa.). Although I often stalk fish this time of the year, my biggest fish were taken in fast water with bead-head brown woolly buggers. When I picked up one of the bigger fish, it coughed up several crayfish from its over sized belly. I knew I was using the right fly...upstream or downstream, near the bottom with short quick strips....

[sholgate]

Finally caught one over 15" in the Lehigh. I caught it by "nymphing" a brown crystal bugger in the white water. Still got a lot to learn.

[littlej81]

Bass love buggers drifting with the current. I caught a 19.5" smallmouth on a soft hackle bugger this year stripping it back just faster than the current.

[sipper]

Sholgate and LJ, that is sick. Any smallie over 14 or 15 is a very sweet catch. total kudos, i love smallies but don't live near any.

[sholgate]

Honestly. I think a 16" small mouth feels like a 18+ trout. But is just me.

[Esopus Guy]

They have been nuts for white zonkers dead drifted in the runs my way. Even under an indi in some slower runs gets some good hits.