The Murray’s Hog Sucker is one of our very best flies when we are seeking large bass. It is very effective in the Spring and Fall when the water is a little cooler.
When I was a young kid fishing on the North Fork of the Shenandoah River, all of the serious smallmouth bass fishermen prized themselves on catching the very largest bass. They did not talk much about where they planned to fish or when they planned to go. The best guarded secret they all had was they were all using Hog Suckers.
To this day, I use this fly in my personal fishing and recommend it for customers attending the bass schools and guided trips. In the Spring when the smallmouth start feeding, this size 4 Mangum Hog Sucker provides a big mouthful. If the water levels are up and running faster than normal, I’ll use my sink tip fly line and fish this fly in the deepest pockets of the river. In the summer when the water levels are somewhat lower, fish it across the gravel bars and cobblestone bottoms with a slow stripping action.
See the whole Murray’s Magnum Streamer Series including the Creek Chub, Darter, and Bluegill.