When I returned from Florida on Wednesday the trees were in full bloom and the temperature in the 60s. These weather changes tend to signal an improvement for Fly Fisherman luck on the river. No longer are the stocked Trout the quarry of worm dunkers.
Leah’s first fish on a Fly Rod.
On Saturday, Leah and I headed out to the river. After the normal stops and starts we made it to Dale’s Market and purchased delicious river lunch ingredients. Then we hopped in the FJ and headed over to my favorite spot. Surveying the situation on the ground, bright sun, low breeze, and small May Fly hatch with little surface feeding activity; I opted to first try my Wooly Bugger in the shady spots by the bridge. I quickly pulled out a little Smallmouth Bass and went for more.
Brown Trout caught on Brassie.
The water is in its optimal CFS range now, 116 today, 150 last Monday, this makes it easy to spot actively feeding Trout. I say actively feeding as the former hatchery residents have now learned to eat wild food and avoid Power Bait. Nymph fishing was definitely the preferred method as they do not appear to be eating surface hatches yet.
Brenton returned back to New Jersey from Utah for Father’s Day Weekend. Needless to say the MKFF East Team met the West Team and we all went Fly Fishing. As previously discussed, Bass fishing is so hot right now. Largemouth Bass are killing Poppers on the farm ponds, while Smallmouth Bass love the Wooly Bugger out in the Paulinskill. This trend continued unabated through the weekend, with a slight downturn in Smallmouth catch count towards the end of the weekend. Check out the gallery and enjoy!
Cave entrance, undisclosed location.
Brenton’s Trophy Bass caught on a Mouse Hopper he spun up. Caught on Proving Grounds.
Fish On!
MKFF Popper, achieved one Largemouth Bass per cast for six straight casts on Dave’s pond.
Father and Son
Proof of MKFF Popper success.
Gathering of Toyota’s best Trucks.
Check out our awesome meal and the Hot Dog Cooker!
Now that the primary elections are complete, I have once again focused attention on generating some quality reading material for our audience. The MKFF Team East assembled in full force at the Dale’s Market parking lot on Sunday morning. Eating Dale’s Famous Breakfast Sandwich on the tailgate of Mark’s Toyota Truck has become a regular ritual for the team. In a future video blog we will evaluate the Taylor Ham or Pork Roll sandwiches available from the shores of the Paulinskill. For today, we decided to provide you (our readers), with a short synopsis on Fly Fishing for Smallmouth Bass with info on the species, techniques, flies, and river conditions.
When Nature Calls The Bio Wipes Are Ready
Conditions
Early in the season we reported on the low water levels and high temperature. Fortunately, conditions have changed. On June 11, in Blairstown, the river is flowing at 160 CFS. I neglected to take the temperature, however, what I can report is that the temperature is in the higher range of optimal for Trout. Evening thunderstorms are ideal for controlling the river temperature.
Mark And Kuhn Fishing A Slow Run
Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass occupy a habitat similar to that of Trout; they are more amenable to a wider variety of water temperatures. Thus, you will locate Smallies in watercourses with sand or gravel bottoms and cool, clean, and clear water. In the Paulinskill, when the balmy summer heat forces the Trout into the cooling springs, Smallies occupy the territory vacated by the Trout.
Smallmouth Bass
Juvenile Smallmouth Bass feed on Zooplankton and Midge Larva. The adults feed on Crayfish and other aquatic invertebrates. The adults typically reach sizes of 12 to 15 inches, possibly reaching a maximum of 24 inches. One to two pounds is the typical weight of an adult Smallmouth.
Baby Turtle Hanging Out Riverside
Tactics
Smallies that make the Paulinskill their home tend to hold in a few key areas:
The shade of overhanging branches and logjams.
Behind large rocks and other obstructions in the stream.
Areas of visible current or runs.
I have found that Smallmouth Bass will feed on almost all of the same flies that the Trout will consume in similar sizes. In addition, the Bead Head Woolly Bugger, preferably green with some flash, size 10 or 12, pulls fish out of the Paulinskill.
Bragging Rights
As I indicated above the water temperatures and conditions were optimal for the full range of Paulinskill River species. Special shout out for Mike’s Bass Grand Slam!
Mike Busteed – Smallmouth, Largemouth and Rock Bass
Mark Beardmore – Smallmouth, Sunfish, Brook Trout, Shiner
Christopher Kuhn – Smallmouth, Rainbow Trout, Sunfish
Deborah Walters – Smallmouth, Sunfish
Dave Boynton – Smallmouth
Green Woolly Bugger With Tan Marabou
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