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!
Gathering of Toyota’s best Trucks.
Rusty blows up the Proving Grounds.
Check out our awesome meal and the Hot Dog Cooker!
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.
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
It’s the season for Fly Fishing with Bass Poppers, that’s what my aquatic friends residing in the Moose Knuckle Proving Grounds casting pond told me today. The Bass have been spawning for quite a few weeks; in fact, it is nearing the end of the spawn now. The water is a pleasant 75 degrees, pulling into optimum range for Largemouth Bass Activity. Furthermore, the weather is changing and a storm is about to blow in for the evening.
Frog Style Popper
Tactic
Bass are a very aggressive species. The old bucket mouth will strike anything that looks, feels or sounds like food.Whilea Trout is consumed with fear of expending energy to catch quarry that is not food, a Bass is overwhelmed with fear of missing its next morsel of food. The Popper I have above mimics a frog and there are quite a few of them out today. Another favorite of mine is the Mouse, nothing like convincing a Bass to inhale a Deer Hair Mouse.
The Little Bass
According to Moose Knuckle Bass expert Mark Beardmore, previously of Sanibel Island fame, to catch a Bass on a popper you, “…It depends. I like to vary it. For me I vary it by the small ripples it makes, which sounds ridiculous. Basically just count. Pop, then wait a second and continue for a little while. If that doesn’t get any bites speed it up or slow it down depending. When the fish hits it, but misses it, I like to immediately change to a very fast twitch like it, the Popper, is wounded but trying to get away. But not a pop.” As mixed up as that all sounds, just use the method while Fly Fishing, it works.
Bass Fisheye
Fish Story
Reader beware the accuracy of this account may change and grow more dramatic over time.
As I previously mentioned the storm clouds were gathering in the distance. In addition the wind was blowing gale force against my casting direction. I waited for a lull and hurled my frog popper out. Performed the slow ripple retrieve and waited….explosive strike! Pulled out a tiny bass. Now excited, I went, I cast parallel to the weed line. As I throw he popper out, it lands hard on the water with a splash; it sits and the ripple dissipates. I start to strip again and a Bass explodes out of the water swallowing the popper. Now the fight is on, with the four-weight rod this is an intense battle. Finally he wears down and dives into some weeds, I try and pull him up and out but he will not budge. At last I jump in the water as he is stuck right at the edge and pull the Bass out right by his lip.
You must be logged in to post a comment.