I’ve caught the bass bug lately, and looking to take a quick trip to catch some smallmouth. I’ve never fished for them before. I have a friend in North Georgia, and may make it a two purpose trip and go up there or Tennessee but also considering other options if anyone has recommendations for this time of year. Ive mostly been throwing popper and diver bass bugs for south florida largemouth. Are these the same flies more or less for smallies? Appreciate any advice for this time of year.
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Summertime, find a mountain river and have a blast. My experience is primarily on the James and New rivers on either side of Roanoke VA and the rule of thumb was that if you could comfortably wet wade the river, the smallmouth would eat on top.
Sneaky Pete flies were deadly - especially under overhanging trees where their “plop” resembles an unfortunate bug falling from a limb.
You can hire a guide for the best chance, but so many rivers have shuttles that will drop you off in a kayak and pick you up downstream that a DIY trip is ridiculously easy. Biggest problem is rain- all that water goes down those mountains to one place, so pick your timing.
It is a blast and the scenery is top notch. Huge Flyfisherman just did a you tube video on a lodge on the James River that may be worth checking out if that is your style.
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I’ve chased smallmouth extensively in VA, my favorite was floating the south branch of the Shenandoah. A great resource for smallmouth flies is Harry Murray’s fly shop in Edinburgh VA. His sight will point you to some good books about Smallmouth. BTW these little guys put up a heck of a fight, and they love poppers! Harry and his son are very knowledgeable about smallies. My wife and I are going to eastern TN early Aug and I plan on chasing smallies around Tellico Plains, there are a few creeks full of them around that area.
Here is the link to Murray’s fly shop https://www.murraysflyshop.com/
I normally use a 6wt bamboo rod, with a floating line , short leader with a streamer and 9’ with a dry or a popper.
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The Huron river runs through Ann Arbor where I went to dental school. It was a mix of riffles and pools in some stretches, and the smallmouth would rise to dry flies in the summer evenings. A 4 wt with floating line and a white wulff caught many fish and created great memories. Deeper areas were fished with wooly buggers or some type of nympf resembling a stonefly.
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A goal of mine as well. I know a few rivers around Columbia, SC hold them due to the cold discharge from Murray.
I love smallmouth. Running float or sink tip usually. Really only use about 5 or 6 different flys… murdich minnow, double barrel popper, todds wiggle minnow, gurgler, and something feathered in craw color with heavier eyes.
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Shoal Bass on the Flint River… Its shallow and you can pick down in a canoe and hammer them.
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In north Georgia. The chattahochee river south of bulls sleuth dam has lots of shoal bass which look and behave like a smallies. Depending on the time of year stocked trout and strippers can be caught as well.
Middle Georgia. Ocmulgee river and better know flint river are awesome fisheries for shoal bass. Flint is probably the coolest and easiest to access.
Good info on the fishery.
Small poppers are fun but streamers like Clouser are great if the top water slows. I also like fishing whooly buggers because you can fish them like streamers or drift them like nymphs depending on the conditions.
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Flint river looks beautiful…
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If Nashville is in range for you, try these guys:
Settled on a last minute trip to Asheville, NC as it’s a direct flight, price was right, and i’ve never been. Hired a guide for Friday and hoping to visit a hatchery in the area while I’m there. Flight, rental car, and Friday plans set. Open to recommendations for everything else. Not much interest in the city stuff other than for food and what not.
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Looking forward to your fishing report!!!
No bass here in Tennessee.
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