Words and Images Courtesy of Jake Villwock
Summer is an amazing time to be on the water chasing smallmouth bass in Pennsylvania. I have learned over the years that keeping things simple helps you make decisions quicker and fish longer. By keeping things simple I mean fly patterns and choices, sure there are some outlier moments when you need to adapt to changing conditions, but when the conditions are stable, there are only so many things a smallmouth will be eating in the summer. I have narrowed it down to 6 major patterns that I always keep fully stocked in my box.
Boogle Bug
Since we aren’t tying them, the main colors I use in the summer are Solar Flare, Yella Fella, and Blue. Size 6 is my go-to size, but there are times you may need to drop to a smaller size 8.
O'l Mr. Wiggly
Hook: Partridge Sedge Caddis Hook sz. 4
Thread: Ultra Thread 140, Color – contrast the foam
Body: 2mm Thin Fly Foam – Tan, Blue, lt. Olive
Sighter: 2mm Thin Fly Foam – White
Rear Legs: Sili Legs Nymph – Solid Black
Front Legs: Sili Barred Legs – Color of Choice
The River Crawler
Hook: Ahrex Light Stinger sz. 4
Tail/Overwing: Barred Rabbit – Olive or Tan
Accent Flash: Krystal Flash – Pearl Orange
Underbody: EP Wooly Critter Brush – Orange
Collar One: Guinea Hen – Tan or Olive
Collar Two: Mallard Flank – Orange
Collar Three: Senyo’s Aqua Veil – Chocolate Covered Cherry
Pec Fins: Barred Sili Legs – Pumpkin
Head: Barred Rabbit – Spun in a loop and palmered
Eyes: Small Lead Eyes
Devil’s Doorstop
Hook: Ahrex Minnow Hook sz. 4
Shanks: 12mm Spawn Shanks x2
Tail/Legs/Pincher: Barred Sili Legs
Under Body One: EP Wooly Critter Brush – Sculpin
Under Body Two: Rooster Saddle Feather
Shellback: .5mm Thin Fly Foam – Black or Brown
Rib: Ultra Wire sz Brassie –Olive Brown
Eyes: Small Lead Eyes
The Stoned Cat
Rear Shank: 12mm Spawn Shank
Tail: Barred Rabbit Zonker – Brown
Under Body: EP Wooly Critter – Tan
Front Hook: Ahrex Light Stinger – Size 2
Under Body: EP Wooly Critter – Tan
Over Wing: Barred Rabbit Zonker – Brown (Trimmed from hide and stacked)
Collar One: Hen Saddle – Brown
Pec Fins: MFC Barred Legs – Brown
Head: EP Foxy Brush –Red Fox – 1.5” (Palmered and trimmed flat on the bottom. Then colored on the top)
Weight: Tungsten Beads – Hare’s Ear sz. 3/16 x2
The Crawl Daddy
Hook: Ahrex Light Stinger sz. 4
Claws: Pine Squirrel – Sculpin Olive
Antenna: Sili Legs Nymph – Brown
Eyes: EZ Shrimp Eyes
Hot Spot: EP Wooly Critter Brush Orange
Claw Spacer: 3mm Thin Fly Foam
Under Body: EP Wooly Critter – Sculpin
Over Wing: Barred Rabbit Zonker – Olive (Trimmed from hide and stacked)
Rubber Legs: Barred Sili Legs – Brown and Olive
Front Shank: Spawn 15mm Jig Shank
Under Body: EP Wooly Critter – Sculpin
Over Wing: Barred Rabbit Zonker – Olive (Trimmed from hide and stacked)
Rubber Legs: Barred Sili Legs – Brown and Olive
Front Collar: Pine Squirrel - Spun in a loop and palmered
Head: Spawn Tungsten Football – Olive size 6mm
Concluding Thoughts
Topwater in the summer is simple, especially when the water is on the low and clear side. You need a smaller popper in a few colors. Keeping it simple however is still the key. In normal to low summer flows, fish are not eating frogs they are mainly looking for cicadas, mayflies, and terrestrials. When it comes to subsurface flies, I find that keeping it low and slow makes for a much more successful day. There is so much food in the summer that smallmouth, Especially the larger ones, they don’t have to, nor do they want to chase their food too far. They want an easy meal without excreting to much energy.
A River Quiver 4-Banger Getting The Job Done In PA
Editor's Note: stay tuned for more fishing reports, tips and tying tricks from Jake throughout the year.
About the author: Jake Villwock is Owner and Head Guide of Relentless Fly Fishing and has been an industry professional for over 12 years. Growing up in a commercial fishing family on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, fishing has been part of his life from day one. Jake is going to share more fly fishing reports, gear reviews and other fishing information with Riversmith customers and followers throughout the year. Stay tuned for more...
Nice idea to chase smallmouths. Never thought of throwing flies, poppers at them👍🏻
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