The riffles and the cobblestones for 100 feet downstream from them are the homes for huge populations of natural hellgrammites (the dobsonfly larva). Their three year life cycle assures a constant supply of these larva throughout the season.
Although it took six years of testing many patterns, the Murray’s Heavy Hellgrammite is exceptionally effective for these bass because it’s extended ostrich hurl body enables you to make it swim in the stream just like a natural hellgrammite. Since the naturals swim with a great undulating action we often have beginners in our schools fish the Murray’s Heavy Hellgrammites down and across stream with a very slow line hand stripping action.
Some more experienced anglers enjoy fishing these upstream dead drift in the riffles just like you would fish a Charlie Brooks Giant Stonefly on the Madison River for trout.
Which ever way I fish them, I want to be sure I have some of these flies on all smallmouth rivers.
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