Fly fishing at night is an exceptionally exciting way to fish for smallmouth bass and it gives you a good chance to catch your largest bass of the season. I believe there are two reasons for this wonderful action: first the bass are less wary in the low light levels and second they feed most actively in low light levels.
In order to hook a high percentage of my strikes I wade downstream and cast down and across stream at a 45 degree angle. In this way the current helps keep a tight line on the fly while line hand stripping further tightens the line and helps us to detect the bass’es strikes. This is a perfect set up for fishing streamers such as Murray’s Magnum Creek Chub and Magnum Darters because the line hand stripping action we impart to these streamers prompts many strikes and the tight line helps us quickly feel this take and set the hook. In order to telegraph my strike to the bass I use a fast lind hand strike along with a firm rod lifting motion that gets the butt of the rod into the strike.
Surface bugs such as the Shenandoah Chuggar with its deeply cut face and fat body which are capable of producing a loud racket on the surface of the river can also be very effective at night. I use the same 45 degree down and across angle of presentation that I use with streamers. Also , I’ve found that using several fast two foot long line hand strips every 10 seconds brings many wild strikes. If the bass strikes but missed the Chuggar just keep it coming but slow down the rate and he’ll usually take it solidly.
Tips for Night Bass Fishing
Fish a section of the river you know well to avoid tree limbs on your back casts.
Use a good wading staff for stability and to probe the stream bottom ahead of you.
Select the spot where you plan to wade out of the river so you will avoid barbed wire fences and poison ivy.
Carry a good waterproof flashlight.
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