Spring Iowa Smallmouth Bass on the Fly

Iowa Smallmouth Bass

 

Our window of time these days to get on the water can be so narrow, that no matter the weather, we are still going fishing.  There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes.  I was assembling my gear next to my Jeep, when a nice woman walking by said "either you are a die hard fisherman or you just don't have much time off from work."  She was referring to the fact that it was forty degrees and misting on this lovely Iowa Friday afternoon.  Well, the good news is I wouldn't likely meet any other anglers this day!

 

Clouser Minnow and Iowa Smallmouth Bass

 

My plan today was to hit a little section of the Middle Raccoon River near central Iowa for Smallmouth Bass, and perhaps a carp if they were around.  I had a couple of boxes of smallmouth and carp flies that I tied up over the winter ready to go.  I was excited to fish a couple of our new rods.  We just launched a new El Jefe Saltwater Series with some four section eight weights, and six section seven and eight weights.  Yes, the eight weight is a bit much for most of our smallmouth friends on this water, but it's this doesn't bother me much.  I rigged the four section El Jefe eight weight up with a 3X leader and a small white clouser minnow.  I rigged up El Jefe 7/8 weight with seven weight line, 3X leader, and a small carp fly, we can call this one JD Bunny.  I was also excited to test our new waist belt and large carbon net system, which will be complete this summer.  

 

El Jefe Saltwater Fly Fishing Combo

 

The water was a little higher than the last time I was there, which was great to see.  We have had some recent rain.  The water was surprisingly clear.  I started swinging the clouser through some of the runs, and hooked into some little giants almost immediately.   These were not large fish, but they are feisty.  The technique was pretty simple.  Throw your fly about 45 degrees downstream, and allow it to swing in the current.  The fish would pick up the fly right around the end of the swing.  The fish generally prefer the faster moving water from my experience.  

 

Fly Caught Iowa Smallmouth Bass

 

After landing around twenty of these little smallmouth bass, I began hunting for carp.  From my experience, the carp generally become more active when the water warms up, so I wasn't certain I'd be able to find any of them.  After looking from high on the hill for movement, I finally found some, and began the stock.  These are spooky fish, so sneaking up into casting distance is essential.  There was a school of ten to twelve pound carp circling around, and they appear to be feeding.  After a few well placed casts, we were hooked up!

 

Fish On - Carp on the Fly

 

These fish are powerful, and I was happy to say they gave our new El Jefe Saltwater Series a great test.  The rod had plenty of backbone, and the drag on our reel preformed flawlessly.   I can't wait to hook into some bonefish one day with this gear, but until that day, carp are the perfect Iowa substitute.  We netted a couple of these giants using our new large carbon net.  I'm hooked, I love this net size.  The net holster on our waist belt is awesome.  Stay tuned for this system, coming soon!

 

Fly Caught Iowa Carp - Raccoon River

 

 

Fly Caught Iowa Carp

 

 

El Jefe Saltwater Series Seven Weight

 

Even though the weather wasn't great today, it was an awesome day.  Landing over twenty smallmouth bass and a couple of nice carp is a great little Friday afternoon.  

 

Fly Caught Carp in the Net

 

Until next time, tight lines my friends.

Jeff

 

Smallmouth Bass on the Fly