The Fly Project Goes Smallmouth Bass'n

It's been a hot summer. We finally got a cold front and some rain, but a couple weeks ago, we were still in the 90's and it was smokey. Many of our favorite waters are a bit warm for trout and we have been giving them a break. So we went Bass'n.

Montana may be known for trout, but it is loaded with multiple species options. We love catching any species of fish on the fly, and Smallmouth Bass make a great target species. You will note Calvin using some conventional gear to prospect. Sometimes it's a good way to quickly cover water when you are short on time and hunting for fish. Once we find them, we love to figure out how to get them to eat flies.

In the morning, flashy streamers stripped fast through shallow water triggered some bites. Once the sun was higher, deep, slow rolling with crayfishy stuff was the key. We had several bass puke up small rainbows. It seems the bass were targeting the juvenile trout that were rising in the morning. Then they went deep to hunt crayfish.