Calendar - Event View

WESTERN SMALLMOUTH
with David Paul Williams

Smallmouth bass and fly fishing are made for each other. Unlike the often persnickety trout, the distracted salmon or the timid grayling, the smallmouth will shoot up from the depths to attack a fly that is no more than a chunk of yellow foam with a red marabou tail. In a race to attack prey, the smallmouth will easily outpace its largemouth cousin.

Throw in some spectacular jumps with headshakes like a tarpon, and you have a fish that pound for pound is the toughest that hunts in freshwater.

Nor will this feisty fish come easily to the net. As renowned smallmouth guide the late Tim Holschlag said, “a five pound smallie can drag a five pound brown trout around a lake all day without getting tired.”

More prevalent in the Midwest and Northeast, there are still plenty of opportunities to chase these remarkable fish in Western waters. The Lower Kern, Lake Arrowhead and Lake Pyramid hold decent specimens within driving distance. Our presenter, David Paul Williams, will walk us through the locations, tactics and gear we need to tackle this exciting fish.