Some days all of the normal actions you impart to your bass fly will catch only small bass. Recently, reflecting back on my plug-casting days as a youngster, I remembered encountering this with one specific plug. I purchased several Creek Chub Darter plugs on the recommendation of a friend. However, when I used a normal, steady retrieve with them I caught only small bass. My friend said that the problem was not with the plug but was with the way I retrieved it. Fortunately he went on to explain several ways I could impart different actions that would attract large bass. By using these bass fly actions I improved my catch greatly. In fact, after this, the Creek Chub Darter became my favorite and most productive plug for large bass.
Bass Fly Minnows
My Murray’s Floating Chub Minnow and Floating Dace Minnow are two of my most productive flies and there is hardly a wrong way to fish them. However, earlier this season I started experimenting with them in some parts of the pools where it can be difficult to catch large bass consistently. Such as the flat water between the 4 to 5 foot deep cuts between river-crossing ledges and in the middle of the deep slow pools.
After a great amount of experimenting I came up with a technique that is very effective in these areas. This method starts off with a standard across stream presentation where the Floating Minnows are retrieved with a standard strip-pause-strip action. Then every five feet I impart a strong two-foot mend straight upstream. This causes the Floating Minnow to lunge quickly upstream. Frequently the bass’es strike comes in several seconds. This tactic often takes many large bass and was a result of experimenting. However, others such as skating oversized dry flies resulted from luck. By being observant and testing new flies and techniques, I really believe we can improve our fishing.