FLY RECOMMENDATIONS | TOP WARMWATER FLY PICKS FROM DAVE GELLATLY

If I had only one fly to chase smallmouth, anywhere, it is undoubtedly RIO’s Flash Drive size 2/0 in Silver or Copper. This fly is always on one of my rods and is most likely the lead-off batter every time out. Plain and simple, it catches them. Fish it over submerged structure and around boulders in the river. When paused, the small cone head causes this fly to die head down, then hang in the water column while the flashabou tail gives a subtle kick. Smallmouth love to eat on the pause and they cannot resist this fly.

RIO’s PTO Popper fills a great niche between traditional hard-head poppers and more subtle topwater patterns like RIO’s Soft Chew. The light, hollow foam head of the PTO popper lands softly and then pulls a great bubble trail when stripped. If you’ve got low, clear water, this can be a great way to change up your topwater game and catch a couple more fish. I go with the size 4 in the Olive/Tan colorway.

Some of the best advice I was ever given was: “Dave, you got to figure out if they are eating up or down today.” Simply put, smallmouth aren’t always crushing minnows or eating topwater. Cold fronts, or specific habitats can have them looking to the bottom for their next meal. RIO’s Meat Sweats is simultaneously nothing, and everything, that a smallmouth wants to eat off the bottom. Crayfish, dead minnow, leech? You tell me, or better yet, let the smallmouth show you. Go with the size 1 in Natural, or Black if you’re targeting leech-eaters.

The visuals of a big pike or smallmouth rolling up on a Brammer Skinny Dipper just make you giggle like a kid again. This big streamer, fished just under the surface, elicits huge eats that are every bit as satisfying as topwater bites. Natural or Hot Yellow, it’s just plain fun to catch them on the Skinny Dipper.

Pro Tip:  Cut the trailer hook off at the bend. Pike and smallies inhale the fly, so cutting off the back hook makes for an easier and safer release.

RIO’s Brammer Imposter is a great multi-species predator fly. I have caught just about every Midwest toothy critter on this pattern. The larger 6/0 for musky or the 4/0 for pike, but don’t be surprised to find a walleye or smallmouth connected to the end of your line after that strip strike. The Imposter is a great pattern to tie onto some 30lb. wire and prospect new water. Everything will eat it. Yellow Perch and Redhorse Sucker are my favorite colors when searching a new lake or stretch of river.