Hit the Stillwater yesterday and floated a few miles from about 7AM till 2PM. I fished a section upstream of Rte 55 and the water is in fine condition (was?). The cool nights have kept the water temps barely ticking 70 degrees and the bronze is very, very active.
I fished with fellow TOSA member Dave Votaw. Dave used spinning gear and a twin tailed grub in an olive-brown color. His tally was close to 20 smallmouth and about that many rock bass in the course of the day. I had my usual long rod and managed to keep up with Dave just fine, taking fish on streamers and nymphs. The fish averaged about 10 to 11". There weren't any monsters, but they all fought like champs and were quick to go airborn.
I am finding the the smallmouth are holding in more current than I would expect for this time of year. They were out from the break and holding in the fast water - or if the current hit a bank they held in the upstream push. I expect they are looking for crayfish there, but they were quite happy to nail a quick moving sculpin imitation. The bigger the fly the better the response and I spent the day with a 6 weight and size 4 flies. The fish definitely responded best when the presentation kept the artificial tight to the bottom, though.
Dave had three nice takes on a buzz bait, but it seemed the fish were a bit reluctant. They aren't quite looking "up" during the day.
We may not have too many opportunities this weekend with all the rain coming, but if you can find water before the storm, the time is right!
Tight lines!
Joe C.
