Smallmouth Guide Trip

Late Winter: February - March

This time of year will vary a lot and can be unpredictable. It is the first opportunity to get out and shake off cabin fever or the “shack nasties” of Winter. If presented with the right weather windows, one can expect to get their first Smallmouth of the year, an exciting milestone for an angler! With this unpredictable time of year, you will be presented with very challenging fishing and oftentimes a very short window but the reward can be huge. Often only a fish or two is landed, but it is the first of the season and/or can be one of the season's biggest fish! Both a warm welcome after a long winter.

Early Spring/Pre-Spawn: March, April (sometimes early May)

For most serious Smallmouth anglers, this is the time of year we look forward to the most and for good reason! As water temps start to move from the upper 40’s and stay consistent into the mid-upper 50’s, you can say sayonara to winter and hello to some of the most vicious and savage eats of the year! 7 and 8 weight rods are standard and 4”-7” streamers will be thrown in search of the biggest fish. This time of year is not about quantity. It’s about quality as many anglers score their PB’s during this part of the season. Generally, this is the best time to throw big, bright swim flies, and if conditions allow for it, you can have amazing frog fishing.

Late Spring/Post Spawn: Late April - Early June

As the pre-spawn season fades, the days get longer, the sun gets warmer and the river has officially broken free of winter’s grasp. It is arguably the prettiest time to be on the river! The trees and flowers are blooming, birds, both resident and migratory, are abundant and there is a promise in the air that after 30 years of fishing I have never lost or gotten tired of. Everything seems possible. Which could not be a more fitting theme as this is the time of year we fish the widest range of water. You will also fish a wide range of fishing styles- from crayfish, streamers, frogs and poppers. There is usually the opportunity to fish with a little bit of everything which is not only fun but great for teaching the many techniques one can use to target Smallmouth Bass. This is also the best time of year for both quality and quantity. 

Summer: June - August/September-ish 

As the higher flows of spring begin to level out and drop we enter the most stable seasons in Smallmouth fishing. This time of year provides great weather and plenty of topwater opportunities. Fishing streamers and crayfish are still very productive, but when things are right, it’s hard to beat the entertainment value of fishing for Smallmouth Bass on the surface. Traditional Poppers are used and on some rivers the opportunities to fish more technical patterns like Wiggley’s can present some very challenging but rewarding catches of large fish in skinny water!

Fall: October - November

Fishing in the fall, like the spring, can be challenging at times but also be absolutely fantastic. The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting chilly and the fish are getting ready for winter. Some amazing days can be had with both streamers and topwater. Baitfish patterns become the preferred menu item as the fish start to fatten up. This is also an incredibly beautiful time on the water as the fall colors are in full peak. This is a great opportunity for some awesome fishing and to soak up as much water time as you can before winter arrives. 

If you have any questions or would like to talk about which trip is right for you, give me a call or shoot me an email. I’m always happy to help.