What Can Bronze Do For You? by Pete Wise It's summertime and, as the song says, the livin' is easy. Aromas of honeysuckle and barbecue smoke seem to waft everywhere, and the neighbor kids are tearing around on bicycles and running through sprinklers to keep cool. There is grass to cut, tomatoes to pick, and ball games to watch. There are also fish to catch. Unfortunately, this is not prime time for the trout addict. To be sure, the fly fisher can take trout during these dog days, but high temperatures and coldwater fish is not a match made in angling heaven. One way to beat the heat and wet a line in the process is to pursue smallmouth bass with a fly rod. Your trout skills will be sharper when autumn arrives, and you may just develop "warmwater fever" while seeking this fine gamefish. A member of the sunfish family known as bronzeback, smallie, and river bass, smallmouth bass prefer habitat that bridges the gap between trout and the smallmouth's bigger brethren, the largemouth bass. Smallmouth bass are found in slower moving rivers and the lower stretches of many trout streams. Unlike the largemouth bass, a fish primarily of soft-bottomed lakes and ponds with heavy weed growth, smallmouth show a preference for a rocky bottom consisting of ledges, drop-offs, and boulders. There are many lakes that contain smallmouth bass, but these are usually deeper, colder, rock-filled lakes with less weed or wood structure. The preferred water temperatures of smallmouths also fall between those of the salmonids and largemouth bass. From 67 to 71 degrees Fahrenheit is optimum for smallies, with the comfort levels of largemouth bass and trout falling above and below that range, respectively. My home state of Pennsylvania, like most of the Middle Atlantic region, is blessed with countless rivers and streams where smallmouth bass can be found. Some spots worthy of attention include, but are not limited to, the Susquehanna, Juniata, Delaware, Allegheny and Conestoga rivers. Whether wading or fishing from a boat, always exercise extreme caution in moving water, especially the larger rivers like the Susquehanna. A wading staff should be standard equipment when on foot, and it is always a good idea to use the "buddy" system regardless of how you get to the fish.  Besides, it's just more fun to fly rod with a friend! Chances are, your existing trout rods, reels, and lines will be adequate to begin fly fishing for bass. A 5-weight rod with at least a medium-fast action is about the minimum for smallmouth bass. This is because most flies which are effective for bass are somewhat larger, bulkier, and more air-resistant than typical trout flies. My personal favorite is an 8 ½' to 9' fast action 6-weight rod. This type of stick allows me to not only throw bass poppers and deer hair bugs, but also weighted streamers like the Clouser Minnow and heavy nymph patterns. A 7 or 8-weight rod are good choices on windy days or if tossing extra large flies. A standard weight forward floating line is fine for starters. If you choose to get serious about fly rod bassing, you may want to invest in a specialized line, usually identified as a "bass" or "bug" taper line. These lines have a radically shortened front taper, which helps turn over big bass flies, especially in windy conditions. An 8'-9' leader, tapering to 1x or 2x is ideal, as most bass aren't as leader shy as trout. These stout tippets also aid in presenting jumbo flies. A good secondary line is a sink-tip with a shorter (4 to 5 feet) leader. They excel when presenting streamers or crayfish patterns in fast moving or deeper water. Reels need not be anything special, as bass aren't prone to make long, screaming runs. However, they are determined fighters capable of multiple strong bursts, and can wrap your line around rocks or a sunken log in short order. Make sure the drag system is smooth and strong enough to prevent the line from overrunning your reel.   Smallmouth bass can be found in almost every section of moving water, from runs to riffles to deep, slow moving pools. The key to locating smallies is structure. Rocky structure. Ledges, undercuts, drop-offs, and boulder fields are all likely haunts of the bronzeback. The low light hours of dawn and dusk embolden bass to venture into shallow water in search of minnows and other forage, but the bulk of their time is spent amidst rocky cover in water 3 or more feet deep. They will often hold on the downstream side of a large rock, taking advantage of the current break. There are many methods and fly patterns that are effective for smallmouth bass. Like trout, bass can be caught from all levels of the water column. Presenting streamers such as Clouser Minnows or large woolly buggers down and across to likely looking spots, allowing them to sink and drift, and then retrieving with erratic strips to mimic an injured baitfish can be deadly. It is also a good "searching" technique if you are in unfamiliar waters. The slower currents and back eddies are great places to cast poppers, sliders, and deer hair bugs. Shoreline shaded by overhanging trees is also a good target for these topwater flies. Jig flies, tied to resemble worms, leeches, and eels, can be bounced along the bottom like a fly rod version of the plastic worm. Many of these patterns are no more than a strip of rabbit fur lashed to a hook. Others, such as Whitlock's Eelworm Streamer, are more complicated concoctions of dubbing, saddle hackle, and weighted dumbbell eyes. Nymphing is one of the least popular yet most effective ways of taking smallmouth bass, especially trophy-sized fish. It is not unlike nymph fishing for trout, and is a great way for the coldwater angler to maintain his "edge" in the off-season. Compared to trout, bass are less selective in their feeding habits, so "matching the hatch" is usually not an issue. They tend to be opportunists, eating almost anything that doesn't try to eat them first.  However, some patterns seem to produce better than others do. The Bitch Creek Nymph is a good place to start. A great generic stonefly imitation, it also suggests a hellgrammite tumbling along in the current. Flies resembling dragonfly or damselfly nymphs can also bring a lot of fish to hand. Cast these as you would for trout, with an up-and-across presentation. In slow moving water, casting directly upstream and allowing the nymph to dead drift can put you in contact with surprisingly big bass. Far from being just summertime fix for trout bums, fly fishing for smallmouth bass is challenging and rewarding in it's own right. They fight with tenacity, jump acrobatically, and never give up. They can be frustrating, fussy, and skittish. Above all, they are an addictive joy and more than worthy of our efforts to fool them with a fly.   Hatches Magazine Subscription Price: $6.95 for each issue The Premiere issue is ready for shipping & the Fall 2008 issue will be available September 1st. Hatches Magazine Subscription Price: $6.95 for each issue The Premiere issue is ready for shipping & the Fall 2008 issue will be available September 1st.