[RMH]

Beautiful, sunny morning on my local river.

First time fishing with a new rod, a Loop Evotec 5wt switch rod. I had it out a few times trying different lines and finally settled on a Beulah Tonic Switch 375gr, makes a nice combo.

No big fish today but plenty of little dinks, even these small bass put a good bend in the rod. I don’t get the pleasure of a whole lot of takes while swinging during Steelhead season, so these hungry little buggers are a welcome departure!

 

[GR8LAKES FLYER]

Looks like it was a nice day on the water
The bass are always fun.


Mike

 

[Doubledouble1984]

Looks great. I think swinging flies for smallmouth is highly under appreciated.

 

[Aldo]

The great Stephen Stills said (er, sang) it best: "If you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with."

 

[raspberry-patch]

Looks great. I think swinging flies for smallmouth is highly under appreciated.

Hush! There is nothing fun or relaxing about wet wading in a beautiful river as the sunsets, as you skate flies to fish that will jump for it.

 

[Fish Tech]

My friend Andy & I also enjoy swinging for smallmouth bass all summer on the Salmon River, N.Y. It is a relaxing way to keep in the game until fall and there is always a chance of encountering one of those rare "ghosts of summer".

 

[RMH]

...and there is always a chance of encountering one of those rare "ghosts of summer". View attachment 401772

Fish Tech, what’s a ghost of summer?

 

[RMH]

Took my little guy fishing on the same river recently for Carp, but used spinning tackle and corn for bait.

Anybody ever catch these on a fly rod?? That’d be pretty fun in the summer.

 

[eriefisher]

Took my little guy fishing on the same river recently for Carp, but used spinning tackle and corn for bait.
View attachment 401784
Anybody ever catch these on a fly rod?? That’d be pretty fun in the summer.

I've caught one small carp by chance on a single hand rod. Had several chances a big ones a few times but they can be tough.

 

[Marcappotto]

Took my little guy fishing on the same river recently for Carp, but used spinning tackle and corn for bait.
View attachment 401784
Anybody ever catch these on a fly rod?? That’d be pretty fun in the summer.

Yes, several times. Sometimes with SH rods, sometimes with spey rods. Always with dry flies: small beetles, gnats, bread flies, floating corn, and "pellet" flies (in this case it is profitable to attract them with some cat treats).
They are a great training ground for testing equipment ... right up to backing. In other words ... they pull like trains!

 

[raspberry-patch]

In my smallmouth river, I have caught several River Redhorse (either above or below the falls) in fast water. As they hold in fast water, they hold down like logs, and they got some weight. Post submission add: once you get out of their hold, you are fighting a strong fish in fast current. No jumping, but bulldog run.

Largest I seen in my river is around 45cm.

I know in the world of trout fishing, suckers are considered trash, but when the Scottish Settlers moved in, they were hunted for smoked fish (and stories say they were a treat).

The other weird catch - that freaked me out the first time - was the Eel in my Smallmouthriver. Our river keeper did acknowledged they exist, but the usual hydro-electric projects do a lot of damage to them.

 

[barnz3]

Fish Tech, what’s a ghost of summer?

I think he's either referring to an Atlantic, or a Skamania.

 

[Lacheng]

That's a nice carp catch! I catch carp nymphing bread flies on a single hander. Tons of fun.

 

[Lacheng]

Very beautiful smallies. Must be a blast.

 

[The Happy Trout]

In SW PA when we have periodical Cicadas, well, any eastern state when there are periodical cicadas, carp hunt for them and eat them on the surface. Nothing, and I mean nothing compares to the slow motion "I cant find the fly" eat of a rubber lipped carp on a size 2 foam dry fly tied to an 8 weight. It's a special kind of fix. And yeah, me too... I swing my 6wt spey, scandi line and murdich minnows for smallies!

 

[Tyler Comeau]

So much fun. Thanks for sharing. I've swung smallies on the Snake with the 4 weight trout spey. I definitely feel like I have a better hook to grab ratio with the single hander though when it came to bass.

 

[Fish Tech]

Fish Tech, what’s a ghost of summer?

A rare summer run Skamania strain steelhead or an Atlantic salmon. We also call them "unicorns" here on the Salmon River.

 

[RMH]

A rare summer run Skamania strain steelhead or an Atlantic salmon. We also call them "unicorns" here on the Salmon River.

Yeah that would be an amazing bonus catch!

 

[TJN]

Nice catch I'm taking my grandson out with corn after seeing that. !!

 

[FishDr]

Took my little guy fishing on the same river recently for Carp, but used spinning tackle and corn for bait.
View attachment 401784
Anybody ever catch these on a fly rod?? That’d be pretty fun in the summer.

Yes, they’ll pounce on a bug nymph or purpose-tied carp fly in the summer (and fall, and spring, and winter, if you’ve got open water). Spooky to approach and they can be finicky, but once you hook one, be ready to see your backing — and keep your knuckles clear of the reel handles.