Swattie87 wrote:
In regards to the concern over the Smallies...there is always a lot of talk of their optimum temperature being in the mid 80's for activity/metabolism, and that is probably likely the case. IMO however, Smallmouth fisheries tend to be healthier at lower maximum Summer temps...say in the upper 70's/low 80's. Less DO issues, less algae blooms, less baking of the YOY in the shallows. Sure the fish may grow a little slower, but I think that is overcome by higher survival rates from year to year due to less stress/disease and less freqent DO related small scale fish kills.
Smallmouth are still very active at 75 deg water temp, plenty active to chase and pursue flies or lures aggressively. Heck, the biggest Smallies every year are pulled out of the water prespawn in March/April it seems like. Granted they're not chasing top-waters then, but they still fish pretty well in cooler water.