Spring Smallmouth fishing in Western New York State

We fish tributaries to Lake Erie in Western New York State early in the month of May. Notably, Cattaragus Creek (the Catt), 18 Mile, Chatauqua Creek, and Canadaway Creek in Fredonia, NY. Lake Erie itself is a great Smallmouth Bass fishery.

Two different fly presentation methods are utilized... Nymphing and Stripping. Both methods are very successful with an average of 15-20 Smallies landed per angler each day. Occassionally, we significantly exceed that daily total in a single day. But it's really not about how many fish you catch rather the great time that we all have doing it. And, toasting each other with a few beers over a good meal at the end of the day. Terrific trips with (usually) great Spring weather conditions. We look forward to doing it all over again year-after-year!

Reading streams when fly fishing for warmwater species such as shoal bass or smallmouth bass really isn't any different than reading a coldwater trout stream. Concentrate on reading riffles, runs, and pools. These warmwater species prefer slower moving water habitat over fast moving, highly oxiginated, water.

When fishing for bass or carp in other warmwater environments, primarily ponds and lakes, it is paramount to read the structure both above surface and below the surface including stumps, logs, drop-offs, weed beds, and other fish holding or ambush points.

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