first light

Hi Folks, Guided smallmouth bass yesterday morning in a big river with the fly rods.  Water temperature was 74 degrees and the levels are still low.  Low water is really not a problem where we were fishing as it makes the wading much easier and reading the water.  Water temperatures in the low to mid 70's are perfect for smallmouth bass fishing, but certainly too warm for trout fishing.  When began yesterday morning under low light and the top water bite was excellent.  We hooked a 2lb smallmouth on the very first cast of the day.  A #6 red and white foam popper worked really well.  We focused our efforts on a long slow section of river and cast to the main channel edges within the realm of the foam line.  Dead drifting poppers and then g\working them aggressively back drew some good strikes.  Smallmouth and very large fall fish were on the top water bite for the early part of the morning.    As the sun came up we moved into some heavy pocket water and big giant riffles to pools.  The bright sun puts the fish down.  With the current weather pattern early morning fishing is the key.  Sleeping in is a mistake and standing in the hot sun casting is not a lot of fun, especially if the fish are being fussy.  So, we changed tactics and fished below the surface with a #4 olive/yellow Clauser minnow and a #8 tungsten head olive wooly bugger.  Lots of crawfish where we were fishing and the all of the bass look stuffed with craw daddies in their bellies.  If I can't catch smallmouth off the top then the Clauser minnow is an excellent sub surface fly pattern.  I think any fly in olive, brown, black, and even white will catch a smallmouth.  If they are feeding then they are not overly fussy and analyzing fly selection is foolish.  Keep the fly in the water.  We tugged on another half dozen smallies with the sub surface flies and missed a few.  Off to brook trout fish this morning.  Even the small mountain streams are getting warm and wet wading is certainly in order.  Remember to clean your gear and keep the non-native species at home.  Have Fun, Willy