River smallmouth fly suggestions…

[Redfin]

I am finally getting set up for the river this year! Super excited and looking forward to it, as i only ever fished trout with fly rod and fish everything else with regular tackle. Big river rat growing up.
I mostly fish the Juniata. That’s the big Juniata.
And some other local rivers.
I really could use some advice of flys. I tie, so I can tie about anything.
I am fine with buying some top water stuff too. I don’t tie deer hair flys.. I would buy poppers n such and tie my own foam or standard flys for top water. Or if there something crazy I don’t feel like tying for top water. That you guys have suggestions on.
I plan on fishing both top water and subsurface stuff.
I got myself a 7wt setup.( still need line though)

I just need to know some of your favorite and most productive river bugs and colors?

 

[JG63]

Spin your own poppers from
Balsa with a dremel - I’ve had good days with this purple/blue combo - I think it suggests the rainbowish sheen of a fallfish - anyway they’ve worked well even in the hot sun - I use a marker for color, and clear coat it with any old UV resin. I like to keep the hook close to the middle of the fly as seen in the pic - it allows the tail section to ride slightly subsurface - fish it quietly like a true dying minnow

 

[jifigz]

Gurgler. Dark underbody, yellow foam body. DYN-O-MITE!

 

[sixfootfenwick]

Poppers, big wholly buggers, stonecats, crayfish

 

[Ewanflyfish]

I’ve had a ton of success this year with sculpin flies fished on the bottom. You lose a lot of flies but the big bass can’t resist it.

 

[JG63]

Speaking of Sculpins/Stonecats … a super simple one here with a fish skull “helmet” head, black chenille and black poly yarn for appendages - tied with Firehole articulated shank/hook combo

 

[sandflyx]

try these

 

[sandflyx]

ned fly

 

[Striperbobby]

Boogle bug or double barrel poppers, chartreuse over white clousers and Murdich minnows. You really don’t need to tie fancy flies for Smallies on the susky, Juniata, swatty etc.

 

[Redfin]

Spin your own poppers from
Balsa with a dremel - I’ve had good days with this purple/blue combo - I think it suggests the rainbowish sheen of a fallfish - anyway they’ve worked well even in the hot sun - I use a marker for color, and clear coat it with any old UV resin. I like to keep the hook close to the middle of the fly as seen in the pic - it allows the tail section to ride slightly subsurface - fish it quietly like a true dying minnow

Where do you buy the balsa? Does it come round like sticks of wood dial rod? I like that idea. Let my kid paint them.
I also assume you saw the groove and glue the hook on? Thanks

 

[Redfin]

Boogle bug or double barrel poppers, chartreuse over white clousers and Murdich minnows. You really don’t need to tie fancy flies for Smallies on the susky, Juniata, swatty etc.

I was planning on doing some clousers.. I had gone to the library and rented Bobs book. I was thinking of trying some with craft hair also instead of the traditional bucktail.
I kinda didn’t want to get to fancy. You’re right I want simple quick tie patterns.. I will need to get some larger size fly boxes.

 

[tomgamber]

Shenk's white streamer, gurglers and tan buggers. I can use any single one of those and be completely confident. Gurglers are more fun though.

 

[NittanyBearcat]

I fish the Juniata River a lot for smallmouth. Smallmouth are aggressive feeders so you don’t have to get too complicated with your fly selection. Many streamer or crayfish patterns will lead to good action. Top water poppers and/or diving type flies are great too.

My personal favorite pattern is the Clouser minnow tied in olive over brown. I also have good luck on wooly buggers and crayfish patterns.

Here is a link to two articles I wrote for Dark Skies Fly Fishing. One on fishing for smallmouth and the other on fishing the Juniata River.

Smallmouth: https://online.flippingbook.com/view/846489450/29/

Juniata River: https://online.flippingbook.com/view/260099487/33/

 

[Andrwhite610]

I’m just getting into the smallmouth game but from my experience spin fishing the Susky my plan is to fish any fly that resembles a fluke style bait and I’m confident that’s about all I will fish. (Summertime).

 

[Striperbobby]

I was planning on doing some clousers.. I had gone to the library and rented Bobs book. I was thinking of trying some with craft hair also instead of the traditional bucktail.
I kinda didn’t want to get to fancy. You’re right I want simple quick tie patterns.. I will need to get some larger size fly boxes.

If you use craft fur you need to bring a comb to comb out the fibers after you catch a fish or it will look like a ball of fur after each fish. They do have great action with craft fur!

 

[JG63]

Where do you buy the balsa? Does it come round like sticks of wood dial rod? I like that idea. Let my kid paint them.
I also assume you saw the groove and glue the hook on? Thanks

 

[Solitariolupo]

I like minnows imitation’s. You said you don’t do deer hair but it makes great little minnows. Plus a smaller game changer. They are always going after my Muskie sized and I’ve gotten some monsters off them.

 

[JG63]

There’s a tool called a “Spindler” available at most of the online fly shops - the balsa comes in 1/2” square stringers about 36” long - I cut them into 1” blocks and shape them with the spindler and a large emory board - then cut a slot for your popper hook of choice. The Spindler also works well with layered foam as seen here:

 

[JG63]

I’m just getting into the smallmouth game but from my experience spin fishing the Susky my plan is to fish any fly that resembles a fluke style bait and I’m confident that’s about all I will fish. (Summertime). View attachment 1641241866