Smallmouth, Smallmouth, Smallmouth!
We went from high water to low water very fast this year. But no worries, we have been targeting smallmouth with clients on the Androscoggin. It is important to watch weather patterns with smallmouth. From my experience I find smallmouth to be even more reactive to pressure drops and spikes than trout. However, when we have had stable pressure or drops before storms the topwater bite has been quite good. Clients have enjoyed the excitement of popper, slider, and gurgler bites on top! Of course streamer fishing is always a productive way to target smallmouth, especially when the weather puts them down or they seek deep water. For the more adept caster we prefer sinking lines and large unweighted flies that are articulated and move freely. For those who prefer floating lines or are newer casters, wooly buggers, clousers, dragon fly nymphs, etc. work very well. We will also be getting into terrestrial season and chubbys, beetles, and dragonfly dries will all be productive, just as they are on trout.
Baby squirrel coughed up in the net by an 18” smallmouth!
I am always amazed by how opportunistic smallmouth are as feeders. When conditions are right and they are “on the feed” nothing is safe. This makes the takes on large streamers and poppers fun! The 18” smallie that coughed up the baby squirrel above was under a large overhanging silver maple. The tree extended 20 ft out over the river and provided shade for the smallie to hide in. When the popper was airborne and about to start its decent to the water, I saw a back rushing toward the airborne popper. The V-shaped wake raced 4-5 feet to intercept the popper the moment it hit the water. This bass was anticipating squirrels to drop from the tree. Most likely he experienced one very lucky meal dropping from the sky and wanted another. Situations like this really make you ponder the intelligence of smallmouth as a species and their ability to learn how to target certain food sources. Topwater bites are just simply the best!
I feel very lucky to able to help connect clients to the outdoors and show them the amazing fishery we have for these strong fighting fish! Take a peek at some of the fins and smiles from this summer so far!
Don’t hesitate to reach out with trip questions! We offer half day and full day floats. All trips are by drift boat. Shore lunch provided on full day trips. If you have a large group we can most likely accommodate that as well.
As always thanks for supporting my art and guiding businesses!
Alex