Smallmouth Bass

• Smallmouth bass are often found in the same streams and rivers as trout, and many trout fishing flies and techniques will work on smallmouths.
  
  If you don't want to go out and buy an assortment of specialty bass flies, you might start fishing for smallmouth bass using the trout streamers and nymphs you already have in your box. Many classic streamers, such as the Woolly Bugger and Zonker, work well. You should have several in different colors and sizes in your tackle box.
  
  Baitfish streamers can also produce fish. Lefty's Deceiver is a classic saltwater pattern that also does a good job imitating freshwater baitfish. The Clouser Minnow should also work well.
  
  Smallmouth bass will be eating aquatic insects, so nymph patterns can be very productive. Standard trout nymphs like the Pheasant Tail and Hare's Ear are worth trying.
  
  Moving away from trout crossover flies, smallmouth bass can often be taken on smaller poppers. These flies float on the surface and make a popping sound as you jerk the line in. Poppers are made of either foam or deer hair and come in a variety of sizes, colors and designs. The most poplar technique when fishing a popper is to cast it and give it one good "pop," then let it rest for a while. If you don't get a strike, start your retrieve, "popping" it all the way back to your location.
  
  

Largemouth Bass

• The advice on streamers and poppers for smallmouth bass also applies to largemouth bass, but generally you need to use larger flies. Don't be afraid to go big.
  
  A major factor in the fly you choose will be whether it proves more productive to fish on the surface or at some level below. You may want to start testing by casting some big surface poppers.
  
  Largemouth bass poppers are often tied to look like a frog or a mouse that is in trouble on the surface of the water. There are variations that do more than just "pop" on the surface. Some are "divers," which will slip under the water when given a tug, then float back to the surface. The best known of these is the Dahlberg Diver. Others will slide, or "wiggle," along the surface during the retrieve.
  
  Worms often produce well for bass anglers. The Senko Worm is designed to look like a standard rubber worm used in spin fishing. Weighted Woolly Buggers and Zonkers can also be fished to look like a worm. Give the fly enough time to sink to the bottom and then retrieve it slowly.