Next week I'll be staying on a Maine lake with a good smallmouth fishery. To supplement decent largemouth bass fishing I think I'm going to try for smallies on a fly rod. I've had luck spin fishing for them in 20+ ft of water but do folks think you can effectively fly fish in water this deep? I realize I could use a 20 ft leader with weight and a full sinking line but that doesn't sound like much fun. Cast, let it sink for a few minutes, twitch it a bit, repeat.
Give us a try!
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Smallies on the fly - Still water
- Thread starter McRiffle
- Start date
For 20ft deep I have fished with a 8 wt with Dan Blanton type striper line with a sinking head spliced to a running line. It works - it isn't a lot of fun to cast after a while. Therefore, most times I use spinning tackle when I am 20' or more down. Salt water guys can adapt better to the deep stuff IMHO.
Bugs and dragonflies may be an option in the shallows. That's fly territory to me.
Bugs and dragonflies may be an option in the shallows. That's fly territory to me.
Pete
Trout Hunter
I've used a full HD sinking line as follows:
If you're like klg neighbor you can probably figure out something to do with gum, dirty pictures, beer, or bourbon, to pass the time, instead of a cigar. If you don't have any bad habits, tie a few flys...
- Cast
Take out a cigar
Unwrap the cigar
Light up
Take a few puffs
Put the cigar down (away from the gas can)
Retrieve
Repeat as necessary
If you're like klg neighbor you can probably figure out something to do with gum, dirty pictures, beer, or bourbon, to pass the time, instead of a cigar. If you don't have any bad habits, tie a few flys...
klg neighbor
New member
Thanks for being mindful of mentioning another activity beside smoking a cigar.
Corndog
Ephemerella Subvaria
That's just sick! I guess I won't be having that bowl of rocky road ice cream now.
Cdog
Last edited:
Santo
www.corkandtippet.com
If you really want to fish at 20 ft....use the type 4 sink line, i think thats about 6-8" per sec drop down, toss on a weighted bugger with some flash, it might get there a bit faster. For me, I'd hit the later afternoon run on the edges of the lake and around the dock (if any) Try some weedless buggers around the logs of the edges of the lake.
santo
santo
I like the early AM, 4:30ish. Try all the structure, rock outcroppings, logs, deep drops near the shore and docks. I like to use poppers. If there are fish cruising, it's hard for them to resist a popper! During the daylight, go to the spin equipment, it does become work casting a heavy sinking line.
kindanewbie77
the sad old dog with no friends
The cigar picture is priceless. I showed it to my wife, who incidentally hates cigars...she roared with laughter.
klg neighbor
New member
Do you still think smoking a cigar is healthier than breathing Newark's air?
I like you Santo, but I'll never forget that quote.:rofl:
klg neighbor
New member
...and lock the doors in Newark!
I commuted into Newark for my degree and some of the stories around campus (cobble stone street stolen, dead horse found in a building, street on fire, one of the locals breaking into a students car (the student was on the wrestling team and kicked his ass), homeless man shoots kneecap of frat brother who told him to stay out of the garbage cans....)
Yeah, roll up the windows and lock the door.
biggerthomas
Eventually, all things merge into one
I think I heard Bill Clinton say something like that once...
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