where are the smallies?

[christianfishn]

i Live in ohio and havent fly fished the little miami river until this year. For the past two weeks ive been fishing the river but havent had any luck with the smallies, ive only caught two small ones. I know the river has good sized bass in it, but have no clue where they are or where to look. where should i expect them to be around this time of year? What depth and lures should i use? and also where should i look for them later in the year? thanks for the help!

[tyler185]

Well I know around here (VT) in a couple of weeks they will begin to move up rivers that drain into Lake Champlain to spawn....and thats about all I know...

[christianfishn]

thanks, any information helps. so most likely theyre not even in the river yet? i need to wait for "pre spawn"? how long will they stay in the river?

[45fisher]

Check the water temperature. I think it's unseasonably a bit cooler than it usually is. The closer to F + the better they like it. Here in VA the temp is still running 53-55. They are around but aren't moving a lot...besides the Shad are running and the smallies can wait!

[tyler185]

I know in some areas there are smallmouths in the river all the time. These are mostly larger rivers. When the smallies travel up to spawn they are traveling up smaller rivers.

[christianfishn]

water temo is still pretty cool, plus heavy rains might have an impact on them . Any ideas on what patters i should throw?

[chuck s]

I'm betting they are scattered but find a bit of warm water from either a sunny bay/bend or from some warmer water running into the main stem and they'll be feeding there.

[okuma]

Alrighty youngin...patterns. Clousers...white, chartreuse, brownish orange.
Lead eyed crayfish imitators.
Poppers...white,chartreuse.
White May flies(if they hatch in your area)
Most times I smallie fish, I see where they prefer "gaudy" colors. Do be afraid to experiment. And for now, it is a bit too cold for smallies to come into the streams yet. Give it about 3 weeks or until you get 3 or 4 days of warm weather.

[HuronRiverDan]

With the cool spring water temps the Smallies are going to be hunkered down in slow deep pools. They will eat, but think of presentations that will put the fly right in there faces, they aren't going to chase many flies. I would look at small white streamer patterns fished slowly around any rocks or logs that provide them with a current break.

Dan

[christianfishn]

ok great feedback! looks like ill take a trip to the fly tying store when you say slow should i try to just "walk" the line through my hands? or twitch and let it sit?