What to fish for:
Smallmouth bass
Find the best fishing in pools below riffles. The best baits are lures that mimic crayfish or minnows, the natural prey of bass. Of course, live crayfish and minnows are also very effective. For fly fishing: Use an 8.5 to 9-foot, 5/6 weight rod and a floating or sink-tip line. Flies: Pick from clouser minnows, wooly buggers, zonkers, crawfish patterns, white flies, or Sneaky Petes.
Largemouth bass
The best fishing areas are in slow-water areas, near structures like logs. The best baits are plastic bait that look like bait fish, such as shiners. For fly fishing: Use an 8.5 to 9-foot 5/6 weight rod, and a floating or sink-tip line. Flies: Large, 3- inch clouser minnows, wooly buggers, zonkers, bass bug poppers, Sneaky Petes, decievers, mouse patterns. Terrestrial patterns are good bet in summer; choose from grasshoppers, spiders, or beetles. You may need an 8-weight rod to cast the larger flies.
Bluegills/Rock Bass
These fish can be found in deeper pool areas in slower water. The best artificial baits are small spinners or flies, and the best live baits are worms below a bobber. For fly fishing: 8.5 to 9-foot, 5/6 weight rod, use a floating or sink tip line. Flies: Nymphs are best; use stonefly and mayfly patterns, attractor dry flies, mini buggers, small crawfish and clouser minnow patterns. Terrestrial patterns are good bet in summer, including grasshoppers, spiders, beetles , lady bugs, bees, or ants.
Channel catfish
You’ll find these in the deeper pools and are best caught at night. Sure-fire bait to nab these are nightcrawlers or chicken livers. For fly fishing: 8.5 to 9-foot, 5/6 weight rod, use your sink-tip line. Flies: Use nymphs – stonefly and mayfly patterns, mini buggers, small crawfish and clouser minnow patterns. Dark brown and black patterns are good options.
Sucker species
These fish are found throughout the river, but most easily caught in spring and fall when the water is cooler. Depend on a small live worm fished on the bottom of the river for your bait. For fly fishing: 8.5 to 9-foot, 5/6 weight rod with sink tip line. Flies: Stick with nymphs – stonefly and mayfly patterns, mini buggers, small crawfish and clouser minnow patterns. Dark brown and black patterns are good options for suckers, too. |