Hi Folks, Guided a double yesterday chasing smallmouth bass in the morning and small brook fly fishing in the afternoon for native brook trout. Real contrast in fishing environments. I like mixing it up and it was has helped to keep me busy over the years offering a wide variety of fishing experiences. A nice cool morning with a stiff northwest wind blowing 10mph to 15mph posed a few issues with boat control. We fished a large river that drains into a lake. Surface temperature was 66 degrees and the water clarity was stained. No surface bite, but i was not surprised as the water was somewhat cool for this time of the year. A few boat problems yesterday morning, situation rectified, was moved past quickly with a large 17" smallmouth coming into the boat. We resorted to dead drifting and slowly working 5" watermelon red magic Senkos. We landed 7 bass. The largest fish of the morning was a fine an fat tailwalking 19" smallmouth. A day that we worked for fish, but caught quality fish. In the afternoon, the small brook we visited was 60 degrees and the clarity was off. We cast a variety of #10 to #14 stimulators and had native brook trout rising to the fly pretty consistently. I did notice that the larger flies drew lots of interest but not necessarily a take. When we down sized the fly, fewer trout rising to it, but they would inhale it. Dead drifting was important and the moment the fly dragged, it was game over. Well, of to chase trout today in the rain. Nice damp and cool out there. Remember to clean your gear and keep the non-native species at home. Have Fun, Willy
