Summertime Smallmouth Snacks in PA

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...