Fly Fishing For Largemouth Bass
By Cameron Larsen, Thu Dec 8th

Like all fishing, fly fishing has exploded inpopularity. The largemouth is considered by many thegreatest of all gamefish. Once limited to just the EasternUnited States, the largemouth has been introduced all overthe continent. When most people think of fishing they thinkof, stiff fiberglass rods, heavy lines and large lures. But moreand more fisherman are finding the advantage of fly fishing forthis game fish.

Advantages of fly fishing:

Fly fishing allows the angler a wider variety of foodimitations. While large lures only imitate a small number offood sources, flies can imitate virtually all the sources ofbass food, including small organisms like nymphs and even dryflies. Fly fisherman can also cast out mice, frog, and a varietyof other food sources for these opportunistic feeders. Manytimes are found in shallow water, hiding under or near logsor snags or in weeds. Fly casters have the advantage of moreaccurate placement, and being able to place their offeringquietly without spooking skittish fish.

Bassy Water:

Largemouths usually emerge in early spring albeit a bitsluggish, but nevertheless with a speeding up metabolism, theyare seeking food. Most largemouth’s will seek food in theshallows, being territorial the best hiding places will go tothe biggest fish. Recognizing a good hiding spot is thefirst step in successful fishing. Fallen logs or weedyareas will provide cover for the wary lunker. Often times basscan be spotted by the careful observer, in clear water willappear green to pale olive across the back and white to paleyellow in the belly. In some areas a partner system will bebeneficial with one angler standing above the water to provide abird’s eye view. Float tubes can also be helpful allowing anangler to cover a lot of water in shorter amount of time,although you give up some of the advantages of sight angling.

When to Fish:

Largemouth emerge in the early spring from deeper water.The exact timing depends on the region and the severity of thewinter. But when ice begins to thaw and the water warms up, thelargemouths metabolism begins to quicken albeit slowly at first.The strikes won’t be as hard, as the reticent fish, slurp inminnow patterns. Much like a trout slurps up an emerger pattern.But once the water begins to warm to 60 degrees. Thelargemouth’s thoughts turn to spawning. In many areas this isaround April. And the feed furiously, and seemingly withoutmuch thought to selection. It is during this time, that the bassfly fisher can found in their true natural environs. Basscruising the shoreline in 1-3 feet of water, needing to bulk upfor the upcoming spawn. It is then that the are the easiestto catch. Being fiercely territorial and in a feeding frenzy,they will attack anything in their path with a ferocity thatmakes this fish legendary. After the spawn the seeks outdeeper water, however, early morning and evening in particularcan give one great action all summer long. And with the coolerwaters of fall, return to activity that makes a trip toyour favorite whole a worthy endeavor.

Techniques:

Early in the morning, I usually fish the banks with steamers.Casting out Woolly Buggers, Woolly Worms, Muddler Minnows, andeven a leech pattern or two. One to three feet of water is whereI concentrate, while the cruise actively looking for fishto eat. In the spring time by afternoon I have switched tofloating bugs. The very thing that makes fly fishingso fun. Casting one toward a nice looking hiding spot, Iallow it to sit there for a few seconds. If you allowed the flyto ‘pop’ upon landing and have a nice picked out, oftentimes this all that is needed for the bucketmouth to inhale youroffering. Make sure your rod tip is at the proper angle toabsorb the hit, or the game will be over before it begins. Ifafter a few seconds the ‘hit’ doesn’t occur, begin retrievingyour fly at intermittent intervals like would occur in nature.This ‘popping’ action is what attracts the to youroffering. Watch for the wake as the great hunter is not at allshy, and remember especially trout anglers, the bass’s mouth ishuge and these animals were built for eating.

Flies:

Well, The Big Y Fly Co. (http://www.bigyflyco.com) is aboutselling flies, so you didn’t think we would forget that did you.If it is still unclear are opportunistic carnivores withhuge mouths, that will eat anything. There are the usual bassbugs that float like the Frog, and the Mouse Rat. Then there arethe divers, that float and then sink when you retrieve them,like the Dahlberg divers. And then there are the streamers, likethe Woolly Buggers, Clouser minnows. Furthermore for those hotdays or big reservoirs, there are sculpins and leeches, thatlike will seek deep water.

The great Largemouth has soared in popularity like fewother game fish. If you haven’t ever experienced fighting one ofthese, you are missing out on something special. Now introducedvirtually everywhere throughout the continent on North America,there bound to be some great fishing not for from yourdoor.

About the author:Cameron Larsen is a retired commericial fly tier and fly fishingguide. He now operates The Big Y Fly Company.Http://www.bigyflyco.com. He can be reached atinfo@bigyflyco.com. The above article will appear in the Big YFly Fishing E-Zine atHttp://www.bigyflyco.com/Bigyflyfishingezine.html