Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2022 - 16

WHERE TO FIND SUMMER BASS WITH A FLY ROD
by Nick DelVecchio
F
or anglers well-acquainted with Smallmouth Bass on a fly
rod, these fish need no introduction. The strong hit and
powerful fight leave quite an impression, quickly becoming a
favorite species for anglers looking to switch gears from trout. Big
or small, Smallmouth Bass pack a punch. Numbers are plentiful
in a wide array of waters around Pennsylvania. Some bass habitat
may be intimidating to fly anglers, though. Knowing where to find
Smallmouth Bass in larger bodies of water may be challenging, but
looking for several key features may increase success on your next
warm water adventure.
Understanding the biology of a fish is the first step in figuring
out where to locate Smallmouth Bass. When it comes to bass,
it is all about the ambush. Knowing that fish lurk in wait for
unsuspecting prey is one of the most important concepts when
breaking down a river or lake to find the best areas. As such,
structure is one of, if not the most, important things to find.
Submerged logs and large boulders are fantastic starting points
since bass can use these places as prime ambush locations. When
fishing these ambush spots, work your flies with a slow retrieve
to start. The goal is to imitate a baitfish that is not worried about
falling victim to a Smallmouth Bass lying in wait.
One of the hallmarks of summertime is low, warm flows in
rivers. It is a natural part of the Pennsylvania summer as infrequent
rain drops water levels. That may create a large amount of " frog "
water, which is just another way of describing long stretches of
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater
barely moving current. Do not overlook these spots on your
local river or creek. Bass will consistently prowl up and down the
frog water looking for a meal. It may not be productive to spend
all day in these locations, but it is worth some casts before you
move on to the next ambush areas. These spots may also be great
opportunities for sight-fishing. When looking at rivers specifically,
smaller creeks entering into the main water are also prime holding
areas for bass. The influx of cooler water (even if it is just a few
degrees) may bring with it baitfish and other sources of food.
When targeting stillwater, some of the same principles apply,
but there are a few twists. Weed beds should be a high priority for
fly anglers since they offer bass good ambush opportunities, but
underwater drop-offs count for this as well. The latter becomes
especially true when water temperatures increase considerably
later into summer. Bass may be more tolerant of heat than trout
but have limits, too. If it gets really hot, focusing on deeper water
may yield good results. Most lakes will have some sort of inlet/
outlet stream, and this is another great spot to try. Schools of
baitfish may swarm to moving water accompanying these features,
which will bring in bass.
Targeting bass with a fly rod is a fantastic summertime activity
for those looking to be out on the water. There are most certainly
challenges to this type of fishing, though. It may be difficult to find
fish some days, and the sheer volume of water on many rivers and
lakes may be intimidating. Breaking each body of water down into
smaller, more manageable components and knowing what features
to look for is often the difference between a great day of fishing
and a head-scratching boat ride.
fishandboat.com
photo-Chad Bauer
http://www.fishandboat.com
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2022

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