As temperatures begin to warm and the temperamental days of spring start to pass, it’s time focus on warm water species. For me that means chasing largemouth bass. The number one sport fish in the nation, the largemouth bass is overlooked by the majority of fly anglers, especially in Colorado. There could be many reasons why, but I think most people just don’t know enough about bass to pursue them. Well, I hope to cover that issue in the following so that more fly anglers can see why bass are one of my favorite species to pursue.
Largemouth Bass
Fish Identification: Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) are distinguishable by a horizontal strip along the middle of their body. They range from olive to dark green in color. Due to a shorten feeding season, most largemouth bass in Colorado rarely exceed eight pounds, though I have seen fish topping out over ten. As water temperatures near 60 degrees, largemouth begin to seek the shallows to spawn. Optimal feeding temperatures are between 60-75 degrees, temperatures outside these ranges cause the fish to retreat to deeper water.
Locations: Bass are structure oriented. They ambush most of their prey, so they need areas that provide both cover and food. This could be submerged weed beds and rock beds and boat docks, drop-offs, and flooded wetlands.
Most of their prey feed on smaller invertebrates, so find areas where the insect life is abundant. Also, on sunny days, bass will seek the shady areas of boat docks and tree lines to protect them from the sunlight.
What They Eat: Bass can easily feed on prey up to 40% of their body length and as they get larger, they prefer larger meals. Crayfish, shad, smaller pan fish, leeches, amphibians and small mammals make up the diet of larger bass. They will also gorge on smaller insects, even midges, if they are available in abundance.
The Fight: Bass are great fighters. They won’t run you into your backing, but they will easily shake you lose after multiple jumps. Watch out for logs, rocks, and anything else that they can use to break you off; as soon as they’re hooked they will be looking for them. Always maintain pressure, especially as they leap, and use the backbone of your rod to control these fish.
Local Favorites: Chatfield Reservoir, Quincy Reservoir, and the Rocky Mountain Arsenal.
Techniques
Top-water: Fishing divers and poppers is one of my favorite ways to fish. Like fishing dries for trout, I’ll use a floating line with a longer leader (7-9ft). Cast in and around submerged weed beds, cattails, and logs. Allow the fly to settle, making sure the ripples on the water have dispersed. Use short, quick strips to create a disturbance, followed by a pause. If the fish are feeding aggressively, then pauses should be short. Conversely, if they are sipping the fly, long pauses and stripping less between pauses (often just once) will lead to more fish being moved. Use weed guards on all your flies so that you can cast into tight places without losing them.
Flies include: Bass Poppers, Dahlberg’s Diver, and Todd’s Wiggle Minnow.
Shallow Water (1-6ft): Fishing weighted flies on a floating line is a very productive way to fish for bass that are not looking up. Make your leaders slightly longer then the depth you wish to fish (mostly on the bottom or just above submerged structure) and use a strip-pause retrieval. This creates a nice jigging motion. Retrieve the fly slowly, but use short, quick strips to give it action. Use this technique over larger weed beds, rock beds, and drop-offs.
Flies include: Clouser Minnow, Meat Whistles, and Near Nuff Crayfish.
Deep Water (7+ft): Fishing deep is not the most explosive way to fish, but it’s necessary as the fish move down. Use a sink-tip or full sinking line with shorter leaders (3-6ft). Fish directly of the bottom or just above any structure; a SLOW methodical retrieve is most often used. Locating structure that may not be visible is crucial to finding fish. Start at points and drop-offs if you are not familiar with the body of water. The use of topography maps can greatly aid you in locating structure.
Flies include: Bunny Leeches, Clouser Minnows, and Meat Whistles.
The above is just an introduction to largemouth bass on a fly, though it should provide you with enough knowledge to go out and catch these fish. Largemouth bass are a great sport fish that should not be overlooked. The fight is much different than trout and the takes are more ferocious. Get out there, get hooked-up and see why largemouth bass are the number one sport fish in the nation.
Matt Nery