My favorite fly for smallmouth is a popper
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Really depends on the time of year and how deep the fish are holding. That said, a popper for smallies can't be beat for fun. Last year we caught several fish on a calm afternoon that were hanging out on top of a mid-lake bar that topped out at 20 feet. Water was clear and you could see those bronze rockets fly up from the depths at our flies. Needless to say we missed our fair share of fish due to early hooksets

I can't wait to find out

Clouser crippled minnow and Clouser nymph.

Every once in a while, they seem to love the Todd's Wiggle Minnow. This is one after about 100 smallies:

Sneaky Pete. Bar none.

I would probably go with a dahlberg diver.

standard issue clouser minnow - almost like cheating. not the most fun to cast but fun to fish with!

I'd have to say some kind of deer hair popper, but tend to use 4 main flies - moorish mouse (deer hair and foam popper), clousers, deceivers and damsel fly nymphs.

Moonman.

quote Moonman: "I'd have to say some kind of deer hair popper, but tend to use 4 main flies - moorish mouse (deer hair and foam popper), clousers, deceivers and damsel fly nymphs.


Moonman."

Are you able to post a photo of your nymphs?

Since there are not many people on this thread, I wonder about a second related question?

What is your favorite fly line for smallies in BWCA/Quetico?

Mine is Rio Clouser line or Pike/Muskie line.

Referring to your line question

For a floating line I recently switched to the RIO smallmouth line, doesn't shoot big poppers as well as a "bass taper". But because of it's extended head, but you can carry a lot more line when casting. Picking up and putting down 60' is easy with no false casting.

For a sinking line (which is the only way to really catch during the middle of the day in late July and August) I use a GSA full sink type 6.

For pike and musky I use Airflo's sniper in an intermediate and a type 6 sink.

quote jeroldharter: "

quote Moonman: "I'd have to say some kind of deer hair popper, but tend to use 4 main flies - moorish mouse (deer hair and foam popper), clousers, deceivers and damsel fly nymphs.



Moonman."

Are you able to post a photo of your nymphs?"

Hi Jerold,

I still have to take some pics but my main pattern for damsel flies is really basic. Marabou (various shades of olive, tan, brown and greyish for early season) tied in for a tail, and gold wire for a rib. After tying in the tail, twist the marabou and wrap up the hook to just back of the head.Wrap the wire and tie off. Attach plastic eyes, or burnt mono eyes, and figure 8 wrap the marabou around them. I also do the same basic thing with ostrich herl. The ends of the ostrich herls are rounded and really look like the 'tail paddles' on real nymphs. I also sometimes use scud back or thin skin etc to tie in a wing case, over and between the eyes to just behind the hook eye, then folded back and cut out a 'V' shape. This makes a much more realistic pattern.I usually tie in really large eyes, as the fish really key in on them. Following the recent articulation thread, I have recently tied up a bunch with an articulated abdomen, using ostrich as the tail paddles and abdomen section, then clipping off the hook bend. Then using 15lb mono to attach the rear abdomen section to a shorter scud or curved nymph hook. Again, wrapped with ostrich as well as the big plastic eyes. They look deadly and I'm looking forward to trying them this year - especially for ice out brookies. The thing about damsel flies is that they have a 2-3 year life cycle so they are present year round. If you ever see a video of them swimming, they have a very pronounced side to side sway,almost like a jointed rapala, so fish easily recognize them. Plus they are a largish nymph so they make a good meal. Peak emergence as they are hatching is usually around mid June. I will definitely get some pics up soon. I know I sound like a broken record, but a clear intermediate line is by far the best line to use with them. Just deadly.

Moonman.

Thanks Moonman.

Here are some pics of my damsel fly nymphs:

The first few are pics of an articulated light olive version


this one has a few articulated versions, as well as a normal marabou (bottom) and normal ostrich (left)


my box for spring trout in Algonquin park



This is my scaled back box. I had my flies all ready and had about 3 times as many flies, in 6 (smaller) boxes. I do the same thing every year, take way too many flies, even though I think I'm limiting myself! Anyway, I will make do with these.

Moonman

I would say a damsel fly pattern. As far as the line question, I use Rio clouser line.

Moonman,

Nice fly box. You should check out the Cliff's Justin Case. It is a bit heavy but has significantly more interior space.

I did not notice many, if any, surface flies.

Are you willing to sell a set of your damsel flies?

Hi Jerold,

Yeah not many in there - I will add some ants, as I have occasionally seen some hatching ants early spring over the years. I will also probably add in a mouse pattern or two, but I'm generally using sub surface patterns for trout in spring. I'll also be taking a spinning rod on this trip and using the fly rod only about 60% of the time. Now in my smallie box, I've gots lots and lots of floaters!

Not really into selling flies, only because then I would have to tie em up by a certain date and do a good job on them! I'd be more than willing to swap some, or even just send you a few.

Also, ideally I'd need to know the line you are using (for damsels anyway), as I rarely weight them due to the fact I'm using the clear intermediate line. If you are using a floater, I would add some weight or use some bead chain eyes.

Moonman.

As far as lines , Rio Grand..

On our trip last spring, my partner had a big yellow foam fly from a fly shop in the twin cities. We called it the "Spongebob fly" because that is what it look like. It was a big gaudy looking fly, but it caught a ton of bass until we finally lost it on a rather large northern pike!

Clousers are my go to for smallies. If you want to change it up a bit, try tying it on a jig hook. I have used this for the last few years and have caught more fish than snags.

My other flies for smallies include:
Barr's meat whistle
and various bunny leaches.

I will have to try damsel fly nymphs this year.

How do you go about fishing these damsels? A slow retrieve?

How do you go about fishing these damsels? A slow retrieve?

quote Fisheggs: "How do you go about fishing these damsels? A slow retrieve? "

No wrong way to fish them really. A slow strip about one foot, pause a sec then repeat. that's all I really do. on occasion I also have had success by just giving a couple strips and then letting the fly sit and settle on the bottom for several secs.they sometimes hammer it then.

moonman

quote Moonman: "

quote Fisheggs: "How do you go about fishing these damsels? A slow retrieve? "

No wrong way to fish them really. A slow strip about one foot, pause a sec then repeat. that's all I really do. on occasion I also have had success by just giving a couple strips and then letting the fly sit and settle on the bottom for several secs.they sometimes hammer it then.


moonman"

Would this work for lakers in the spring too with a variety of flies?

quote Fisheggs: "

quote Moonman: "

quote Fisheggs: "How do you go about fishing these damsels? A slow retrieve? "

No wrong way to fish them really. A slow strip about one foot, pause a sec then repeat. that's all I really do. on occasion I also have had success by just giving a couple strips and then letting the fly sit and settle on the bottom for several secs.they sometimes hammer it then.



moonman"

Would this work for lakers in the spring too with a variety of flies?"

I seldom use damsels for specifically targeting lakers. Brookies yes, and I would work them the same way, although not many pauses that let the fly settle, that's a summer bass/walleye thing. For lakers, streamers are your best bet. Trolling more than casting for me usually. If you are on a lake with a fair laker population, and you are trolling with a sinking line of some type, you'll catch fish.

Thanks for the tips moonman.

In the eastern rivers and streams I fish what i call a bad baby minnow. Tied with craft fur a all white or olive over white is a killer.
where's one tied in olive over white

This will be my first year in the bwca where I am trying to use the fly rod more than the spinning rod. I had only used poppers in the past but this year I tied up some different flies to try. The box standing up and the poppers I tied. I'm interested to see what does well and what doesn't in a week!

quote jfred17: "This will be my first year in the bwca where I am trying to use the fly rod more than the spinning rod. I had only used poppers in the past but this year I tied up some different flies to try. The box standing up and the poppers I tied. I'm interested to see what does well and what doesn't in a week!
"

A few other flys that work well with smallies on top water is the gurgler and the crease fly. I've had good luck tossing a crease fly targeting smallies here in the east.