It seems as though all of the fish, from the mountain streams to the valley rivers are feeding right now. Low water, or should I say normal summertime flows according to the USGS records over the past 60 or so years, is the case everywhere. Grass is growing in the slower sections of the rivers and the bass don’t seem to mind nearly as much as I do. I have to go up on top to stay out of the grass which is tough to force myself to do when it is 90 degrees, bright and sunny. When I can force myself to fish on top midday around the grass, I find many bass willing to cooperate. Early in the morning and late in the evening continue to be the best time of the day to fish for smallmouth.
Escaping to cooler temperatures doesn’t mean leaving the state, only heading up the mountain to a little higher elevation. The brookies are plenty spooky but are aggressively feeding on terrestrials. The afternoon thunderstorm have helped to recharge a few of the mountain streams with some much needed water. Bring along your box of terrestrials and throw in a couple of inchworms, it is unlikely the brookies have seen this pattern nearly as much many of our standard terrestrials.