Smallmouth May '25: SoHo & Watauga Report - Topwater Heats Up!

Have you ever fly fished for Smallmouth Bass?

Discover thrilling Smallmouth Bass float trips with South Holston Angler! Summer is prime time to target these incredible game fish. Known for their territorial nature and tenacious fight, smallies can be a rewarding challenge to fool with well-presented flies. If you haven't experienced this exciting fishing before, you're truly missing out!

May kicks off the beginning of summer Smallmouth fishing.

While trout fishing remains our primary focus at South Holston Angler, we are excited to gradually introduce smallmouth bass float trips as another exceptional option! River smallmouth fishing offers an exhilarating experience. These aggressive game fish are constantly on the prowl, seeking prey to ambush. However, they can be selective, often requiring strategic fly changes to entice a follow into a strike. But when everything aligns, the explosive jumps and powerful runs of these fish on a fly rod is an awesome experience. This makes targeting smallmouth an excellent choice for those planning multiple float trips.

The topwater popper bite has begun!

Popper fishing for suspended smallmouth bass is an explosive experience – think of it as dry fly fishing amplified to the extreme! The visual takes and aggressive strikes are truly something else.

With the annual appearance of damselflies, dragonflies, and terrestrials now underway, the smallmouth bass are increasingly looking to the surface. As we mentioned, popper fishing for these suspended predators is akin to dry fly fishing amplified! They often prefer poppers presented with a dead drift punctuated by subtle pops and shakes. While takes can sometimes be delicate sips, they are also known for explosive strikes that can knock the fly clear out of the water. The adrenaline rush of watching a smallmouth track your fly for several feet before striking is truly captivating. Adding to the anticipation, cicadas are expected to emerge this year, potentially igniting an unbelievable topwater fishing season.

Streamers are still on the menu!

Smallmouth bass are opportunistic predators with a diverse diet, readily consuming virtually any baitfish that swims. Effective fly patterns often imitate minnows, shad, crayfish, hellgrammites, and leeches, reflecting the variety of their forage. Both single-hook and articulated flies can be highly productive, depending on the bass's primary food source at any given time. While smallmouth will readily take streamers in various conditions, cloudy, off-color water and higher flows often present the most advantageous scenarios for streamer fishing success.

If this is a trip you are interested in doing call John at 423-946-6665

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