Smallmouth bass

How many of you all fish for smallmouth bass? Also tie flies for em?

I have always wanted to try for smallies with a fly. That is on my 2010 "To Do" list once I get a fly rod that will handle the flies it takes to catch them.

I have caught a few puppy sized smallies on the Maury River in Virginia. They probably have to get a little bigger in order to live up to their reputation.

You can have a lot of fun with smallies on a 5 wt. Fishing small streamer and popper you don't need to heavy a rod. Big flies, heavier rod. Things like deep clousers and hair bugs need something that will cut the breeze.

You can catch a lot good sized smallies on nymph rigs.

I catch the most of the smallies on a #10 Woolly Bugger. Did really well last season on a 7wt and #6 Red Fox Clouser.

I have been eyeing a setup for salt and smallies. Maybe an 8wt rod with a large arbor reel. Easier to justify the expense if it can do multiple things. This spring I might go to the New River and wade the section near Sparta or work my way up into VA. My brother lives near the James River in Scottsville, VA. He does well on smallies up there and I have been meaning to try it out when the weather gets warmer. Bad thing about the James is that the flathead catfish tear them smallies up. That and water quality problems.

I have fished for smallies several times, but trout are usually my main quarry. The New River is the place to go for smallies.

FYI..I found this out not too long ago...Despite it's name, the New River is one of the oldest rivers in the world (some say it's the second, the Nile River in Egypt is the oldest). Kinda cool given it's here in NC.

Yes, and it is the only river in North America that flows to the interior as opposed to the ocean. It might be the river that wore the Appalachian Mountains down to size. Although it's claim as one of the oldest rivers is in dispute.

I used to go to school in Radford, VA with the New River running very close to our campus. I never went fishing there while I was in school and I kick myself in the ass every day for that wasted opportunity.

I work with a kid that fishes the New River all the time for smallies. I should get up with him and go hit it with a fly rod.

I guess the French Broad gets most of my smallie attention. It's about 15min from home and 5 from work. Lots of fish. Only draw back is if it rains anywhere between here and the headwater it goes up and off color for a couple of days. Hard to plan trips. Sweet when you hit it right

There's also musky in some places on the Broad...

Any of you ever tried the james river in va.e know if you are interested, i will give up my honey hole i have afew haging around i do not keep any secret places i feel eveyone should be able to fish these spots i know,great bit ones are there but are very pickie on wat they will take, crawdad patterns blue popper walts slider, mr. rapidan clousers wollie buggers my favorite black, olive and chartruse are favorites, you tend to catch 1lb to 4lbs. once in awhile one maybe if you are luckey 5 lbs. that is my biggest. Hope this may be of interest to some of you. best charlie

I've never fished the James. I've heard of the excellent smallie fishing. There's some huge flathead cats that will take flies from what I've heard!

I've caught some smallies on the New with a black wooly bugger. My neighbor fishes for musky on the New closer up to VA.

I fished the New over Memorial Day weekend. Stayed At New River Campground and waded and canoed. alot of Red eyes. Great place for Smallies. Great river to fish.

I do. Love smallies and smallie flies.