Spring Fishing Opportunities!

 

Spring is almost here!  At least it has been showing signs around most of the country.  Here in the Great Plains, snow weather and cold temps continue to push against the start of spring, but fishing is in full swing.  One of the best things about spring is the variety that comes in fishing opportunities.  Wherever you are in the world, something will be happening on your home waters.  Here are a few of our favorite species to chase with the fly when spring fever comes knocking.

White Bass

What the water temps with white bass.  They move in school and stage for spawning activity when the water reaches about 55 degrees.  Presentation is key to these fish when a specific prey species is on the menu.  Early spring, when waters are still warming and fish are still staging, is usually reserved for a low and slow presentation.  I achieve this by dragging a marabou clouser or spring craw along the bottom.  When fish become more aggressive and active, look for activity to move to the surface where they like to bust balls of shad fry.  Unweighted/lightweight patterns like a thin mint or big eyed deceiver work great for these instances.  A mini Murdich minnow also has been deadly on spring white bass.  Experiment with your favorite patterns and find some that work on your bass.

Ice Out Pike

Pike move to shallow water in the spring in search of food and spawning activities.  This is a great opportunity for fly anglers to hammer some slimers on the fly.  A key to spring pike is being versatile, because the presentation needs can vary from year-to-year.   Having the ability to go deep or shallow, present fast or slow, and advanced mobility will increase your odds of hooking up on your local waters.  Larva Lace has showcased a number of patterns that work very well for spring northerns.  The Lil Kim, Meat Fly, Predator Bunny, Angel Zonker, hang-time musky fly, big-eyed deceiver, and marabou clouser are some of the all-time favorites.  Vary your presentation to figure out what they are looking for on any given day.

Smallies

What angler doesn’t like the tug of a big spring smallie?  If you are pulling bouncers for eyes, a bit of frustration with them is understandable.  But for the fly fisher, they are nearly unmatched in their ferocious appetites, pound-for-pound strength, and willingness to eat almost anything!  Spring focus should be on rocky points, rock piles, boulder fields, brush/shoreline structure, and depth transition zones.  Smallies forage for a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial life, so find what they are focusing on and chuck anything like it.  Don’t leave home without some spring craws, angel minnows, murdich minnows, cactus bass flies, and clouser minnows.  Leech patterns will also get you through some tough catching days.

Brown Trout

The species that most think of when fly fishing is the topic of conversation.  Brown trout are one of the most sought after species on the planet.  They are aggressive, elusive, and can grow to massive proportions as far as trout go.  The variety of locations where these fish can be found is as extensive as the techniques and presentations used to catch them.  Biggest tip for catching brownies…Keep it simple, and vary when necessary.  Remember, it’s not always about what they are eating, but sometimes about what they WILL eat.  What is available for them on your home waters?  Imitate that and success will surely come.  Enjoy the challenge.