Power Plus!

Smallmouth bass may be the most underutilized fly rod fish around. They are well distributed across the US and Canada, occupying much water that is marginal at best for trout survival. Smallies are normally less selective than trout and will hit a variety of fly patterns. They are also more tolerant of sloppy casts, making them a great target for beginners.

Smallies are well-known for thier fighting ability. Their broad body and wide tail give them plenty of power when they turn sideways. Pair that with an unmatched jumping ability and you have an A+ sport fish. If you haven't chased smallmouth with a fly rod, give it a try!

An Honorable Fish!

Capt. Leo Wright holds a hefty Muskegon river smallie caught in honor of dog friend Kevin Feenstra, who was finally hooked, landed, and hitched last Saturday, July 25. Leo and JD spent the morning on the river and then headed to the afternoon wedding and reception. A great time was had by all. Kevin and Jane Feenstra honeymooned across northern MI.

Winston, a golden retriever, is the main greeter at Baldwin Creek Lodge in Baldwin, MI. Here he does water watch on the Pere Marquette River seated on the front ledge of a 13 foot Stealthcraft Super Sniper drift boat. The Super Sniper is designed to float high and quiet, with maximum manueverability.

Float And Be Stealthy

Check out this new drift boat from Mike Batcke and crew from Stealthcraft Boats! JD and Jeff Liskay went to Mike with a particular boat in mind- it needed to be as light as possible, hold 3 people, float high, be easy to haul around places without launch ramps, and be rugged enough to take river abuse. Stealthcraft was able to build the boat. Team Fishdog will now have a Super Sniper model to work with. At 13 feet long, this Super Sniper weighs in a little over 100 pounds. The hull is made of plascor laminate for extra strength with reduced weight. The bottom is coated with UHMW (ultra high molecular weight) plastic so it will slide easily over river rocks and up and down banks. Built in hand grips will be a big help. The interior has been left open to provide maximum versatility in adjusting to the passenger load. Just in time for prime time summer smallmouth and the start of Fall fishing!

Love Those Smallmouth Bass!

Ya gotta love small stream smallmouth bass. These are a native game fish in many moving waters of the Midwest and have been widely distributed across the U.S. They are subject to the same environmental stresses as trout are. Smallmouth can tolerate a wide range of water temperatures and overlap with trout in many areas. Growth rates in smaller streams can be quite slow, taking 6-8 years to reach a length of 12-14 inches in the northern part of their range. This healthy specimen came from a stream in southern Indiana. Take a look at the width of the tail in relation to the body. That is one strong fish! Smallmouth bass are tough fighters no matter where they are found, but stream fish really take it up a notch. In the "Book Of the Black Bass" published in 1881, Dr. James Henshall, a Cincinnati resident and recognized as the father bass fishing says,"inch for inch, pound for pound, the black bass is the gamest fish that swims." It's hard to argue with that.

Lake Erie Fun

JD joins in on some hot drum action on the big lake. A favored outfit for Lake Erie is an 8-wt. Scott X2S rod, a Nautilus CCF8 reel, and a SA 300 gr. Streamer Express line. Finish off with baitfish and crayfish patterns for a good time!