FLY FISHING for Smallmouth Bass (Streamers + Poppers)

In this video, Brian Flechsig and Josh McQueen of Mad River Outfitters fly fish for smallmouth bass in Central Ohio.
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Welcome to Mad River Outfitters, hosted by professional fly fishing guide, Brian Flechsig and his team of fly fishing guides at Mad River Outfitters. On this channel you will find honest fly fishing education, fly fishing tutorials and product reviews. We're passionate about fly fishing and that's what we hope to share here. More information about who we are can be found on our website (www.madriveroutfitters.com) and also on our Instagram (@madriveroutfitters).

[@chadvollmer3285]

I quit fishing until i started watching these vids 😊 live in ontario canada bought a fly rod and fly tying vice from madriver outfitters.😊

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for the support. Much appreciated.

[@canadiangemstones7636]

We have fantastic smallies in ON!

[@edwardlopez461]

This reminds me of my "smallie" excursions of my youth (mid 70's). I'd wade Big Walnut Creek from north side of I-70 bridge, and the quarries around Refugee Rd, all the way down to the Blacklick/Alum Creek dumps. And Blacklick Creek, from the park to the Creek dump. Plenty of memorable Smallies on my first fly rod. A 7'6" 6wt Shakespeare "Wonder rod" with big wooly buggers & muddlers. Now I "fly" for Reds & Snook, in north Indian River & Mosquito Lagoon.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Edward Lopez Smallmouth in the 70’s. A theme here. Thanks for sharing.

[@benjaminl.1417]

Thanks for another great, high-quality video guys, I look forward to every new video. Looks like Ohio needs to be the next state on the list to visit!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching. Hope to see you soon.

[@jasonnye1436]

I only just found this video, but one of my favorite parts of smallmouth fishing is the tail splash when you release them. They are a lot of fun and are super tough!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.

[@michaelharris1455]

Back in the 70's, Pop and I would float the Juniata river, in PA, and fish for smallmouth using "ultra-light" casting gear. Would love to try it with a 5wt now.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Sounds like fun. What a great river that is!

[@isaaccrumpton8686]

I love little white poppers for bass and panfish

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching. Try big ones btw.

[@jeffchesser566]

Welcome to the buckeye state!!! That’s awesome. Great video. Just started fly fishing myself and have learned a lot from your videos

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Welcome to the sport and tight lines! We're always here to help. Thanks for watching and stay tuned! 🤙

[@rolandalexander9447]

I hVE LONG BEEN TROUT FLY FISHING HERE IN OREGON, AND HEARD BASS IS A BLAST, JUST WONDERING WHAT WEIGHT OF TIPPET YOU WOULD USE ON MY 6 WEIGHT

[@huntingicon]

Beautiful scenery and looks like incredible fishing

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.

[@JustinCarf]

Smallmouth bass are fun for all, and a great fish to target...especially on the fly. Great video!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Agreed! Thanks for being here.

[@andykjohnsonjohnson7622]

Great video Brian 🎣👍. Luv using poppers for bass. Top water action , electric 😊🎣

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Hah, thanks for watching Andy! Stay tuned!

[@braddavis6831]

Smallmouth are on my list as I start down this fly fishing road. Thanks for the great video!!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching. They should be!!!

[@SnowHunter44]

My first smallie was on a texas rig, 16.5 inches Grand River smallie. Didn't appreciate how special it was!!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Nice work!

[@mikegray7326]

Awesome video! I'd love to see more stuff like this. There's not many smallmouth in my area but I'm scheming a smallmouth trip soon hopefully.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

You definitely should! They're a blast to fish. Thanks for watching.

[@kogabear1]

Thanks for all your work putting up all the various fly fishing videos. I've learned a lot and enjoy watching them time and time again. Your tips on a wide range of fly fishing shows it's not just for trout.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

That's great, Doug! We're happy they've helped. Stay tuned, lots more coming.

[@markrine]

I'm continuing to stalk your website waiting for that Flip sheath for the small manley pliers. Thanks for teasing me with a shot of it in this video.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Those won't be back but we are continually searching for a replacement. Trust us, Brian will let you know if and when something comes along.

[@grizzlyfish2141]

Lituarly my new favorite way to fish. Small mouth on a fly rod and I have you all at mad river outfitters to thank! If I could I'd send some pics of the fish iv been getting here in Wisconsin.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Oh man, we'd love to see it Grizzly! Yeah, we're big fans of smallmouth on a fly rod. Thanks for watching and stay tuned!

[@benjaminl.1417]

Just started fishing for smallies on the fly in Wisco too! Not many things are finer. Have fun out there!

[@grizzlyfish2141]

@@benjaminl.1417 who knows maybe we will see each other out there.

[@DupeaFish]

Stripping sculpin for those guys is super fun. Jigging them up off of beds can be fun too with a Kreelex fly pattern. However, when you get those topwater strikes on mini poppers and ants...boy o' boy is that a blast!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

The topwater strikes are the best! Thanks for watching and stay tuned!

[@devinallen5522]

Great video in southeast Ohio I’ve been having best luck with green wolly bugger

[@Madriveroutfitters]

'Ol faithful. Thanks for watching, Devin! Tight lines and keep crushing it out there.

[@erictheviking6832]

WELL IM NOW HOOKED ON FLY FISHIN

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.

[@NuggetsCS]

My favorite streamer is a little crawfish imitation with foam claws and 2 eye weights on the front, overall beast for smallies on my orvis green mountain series that’s easily over 20 - 25 years old. It was my dads and I love it, it’s so cool just fighting big smallies on the fly.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Cool. Thanks for sharing.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching! Smallmouth are a blast to fish for, what do you think?! Comment below 🤙

[@Kyrodan022]

5 wt rod..what size tippet and fly using?

[@gregelliott9498]

Smallies are by far the funnest freshwater catch in my book!

[@stanreedy2686]

nothing like them

[@scottm.2490]

Awesome!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching!

[@jonlejcar5306]

I got a 3lb smallie and a 2.5lb small on a top water frog on the fly recently on the fox River. 10x more fun than fishing the same on a conventional rod

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for being here.

[@teg32osu]

Great video! It really makes me miss the Ohio of my youth! Here's a bit of an odd question. What kind of bracelet is Brian wearing?

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching! We believe it's a bracelet made from old recycled fly lines. Not sure who made it, shoot the shop and email [e-mail], I'm sure Brian could let you know specifically if you're interested.

[@funsizefishingadventures4673]

This is sort of a late reply, but it’s probably a Flyvines bracelet. I have one myself!

[@phardiman84]

Great video! Is there a Mad River video talking about a fly setup to use for bass? I know it can differ from a trout setup. I have lots of smallies where I'm at, but being new to fly fishing, I don't know where to start when trying to catch smallmouth, especially in the warmer months.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4qbaJ15Zs90mKM

[@tjmckern9374]

Awesome! What raft are you using?

[@Madriveroutfitters]

SSSStealthcraft 👍

[@ronaldfisher5093]

Great video, I like using poppers and Sneaky Petes

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching! Same here.

[@agooddaytofish2736]

Should bring you guys up for some big smallmouth fishing. Northern Wisconsin, big 8wts, 6lb smallies. Hoping next week to break 7lbs on the fly rod. Saturday biggest was 6.3, and 8 over 5. 2nd year fly flicker, love the new ways to catch my favorites. Love the vids, keep up good work.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching - sounds gnarly! Send us some pics!

[@codyanderson7111]

Hey Brian, great video as always! I’m new to fly fishing for Bass. I’ve had really good luck with trout, but the other day I had a massive smallie on a small streamer. He unfortunately shook my hook at the boat. I’m not sure if I set the hook hard enough or what because I just have to twitch the tip for trout. All in all, it gave me a fantastic fight and now I’m obsessed. How should I be setting the hook for small mouth and what leader/tippet sizes would you recommend? Thank you! By the way, I’m currently using a St. Croix Mojo Trout 6 weight with and Echo Ion reel and Rio 4X tapered leader with FrogHair 4X tippet.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching and for sharing. Please send any and all question over to Brian at the shop. He'll get back to you there but doesn't come around here much.

[@charlesmurray1220]

Nice music too.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.

[@jasonmullins4826]

awesome video! Question: I just bought a g.loomis NRX 6 weight. I want to fish for more smallies, bigger trout and some largemouth. Can you recommend a floating line and a sink tip line that would pair up nicely with this fly rod? Thanks!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks Jason! It was fun to make. Hey, send this question over to the fellas at the shop [e-mail], the guys who do the fishing are over there and will get back to ya quick!

[@Failed2AbortYou]

What leader would you recommend for throwing a popper on a 5wt?

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Hey Broc, thanks for watching! Shoot this question over to the fellas at the shop, they will get back to you asap with a helpful answer and some tips. [e-mail]

[@neosovereign5954]

YES!!!

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Yes. Amen.

[@redshield3296]

You are using a 5wt. Is that a good all all purpose wait?

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Watch this and it should help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZucnoeqjauga7c Any further questions please send them directly to the shop at [e-mail]. Thanks.

[@CallMeJackWagon]

How often do you guys keep and eat the fish you catch and what would you say is your favorite?

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Not very often but when we do, it's a peacock bass or a redfish.

[@bssaassin1900]

Love both large and smallmouth bass but smallmouth are definitely my favorite of the 2. Sure Florida strain largemouth grow much bigger but I'll happily take a 3lb smallie over a 6lb largemouth. They fight twice as hard,live in prettier water and the stripes and colors are much prettier. Only freshwater fish I love more than smallmouth bass is trout.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.

[@joeschranz4525]

I want to use some of the streamers that you say you need to use on a sinking tip or intermediate line but all I have is floating line and I don’t want to spend the money on on new line and another reel. What Can I use to substitute for the sinking tip line

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Send your questions over to the shop and they will be happy to help you there. [e-mail] or give them a call. Thanks.

[@benmusserjr7976]

What river was this filled at and I cant wait to try this summer in the great miami river

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Ben Musser Jr Not sure but you are welcome to call or email Brian at the shop. He can surely help. Thanks.

[@matthewkeen7718]

Awesome video...... you mind me asking what brand of boat your using?

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Hey Matthew, that's a StealthCraft! Thanks for watching!

[@christopherkwasny5333]

What TFO rod do you like for streamers?

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Sounds like a great question for the folks over at the shop. E-mail them or better yet, give them a call. They'll be happy to help.

[@josephpriestley2554]

Dude. Get the TFO LK Legacy. Just google reviews on the BVK. It’s the newer version. I have a 9ft 6wt. My go to for trout and just started on bass excellent rod for the money

[@ssss-lw4gn]

what kind of raft setup is that . how much do they cost?

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching but you'd have to check with the folks at the shop about that. Feel free to call or e-mail them and they would be happy to help.

[@MakeItTakeItOutdoors]

Obviously not the Scioto in Delaware County. Visibility was more that 9 inches lol

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Thanks for watching.

[@mitchcompton5929]

What leader should I use?

[@Madriveroutfitters]

That is a great question for the shop! Give them a call or shoot them an e-mail and they will be happy to help.

[@josephpriestley2554]

What brand raft is that?

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Not sure....you'd have to check with the folks at the shop. They would know.

[@jakenelton1322]

Yo whats the raft setup?

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Jake Nelton Not sure exactly. You’d have to contact Brian or Josh at the shop and surely they could tell you.

[@jacobdickerson1015]

What river in Central Ohio?

[@Madriveroutfitters]

You’d have to check with Brian at the shop on that. We don’t have that information here. You can email him or call him and he’ll be happy to help. Thanks.

[@lukescholler3383]

What river is this??

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Check with Brian over at the shop. He should remember but this was a while ago. He may not at his age.

[@redshield3296]

Is flyfishing strictly for rivers?

[@Madriveroutfitters]

No not at all. Watch this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4KpXqCEnK6Il9E

[@chrisevans2307]

What boat is that

[@Madriveroutfitters]

You’ll need to check with Brian or Josh at the shop. We don’t have that intel here. Thanks.

[@joriolt6025]

Maybe someone can help me as I’m new to the fly game, but since it’s a size 4 popper he was throwing that was rather bulky, would that have overloaded his 5wt and made it more difficult to cast? Does that not matter as much because he’s not making mile long casts? I’m asking because I’ve tried throwing bulkier size 4 poppers on a 5wt (it’s my first setup saving for an 8wt for bass). Thanks to whoever answers

[@Madriveroutfitters]

joriolt 60 Hey Joriolt, shoot this question over to the team at the shop at [e-mail] they will get back to you quick and will get you all straightened out. 🤙

[@bschwartz2]

I have the same question. I know I’m not the best caster in the world but I cannot get a popper out more than about 10 feet with my 5wt.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Brad Schwartz send questions over to the shop and they will help there. Thanks.

[@screwedagain1]

Can't beat Smallies on the fly rod. Pound for pound, I'll take them over Largemouth any day.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Truly hard to beat yes....but nothing wrong with largemouth. As long as nobody makes us choose (this is America)....then we'll take them both.

[@screwedagain1]

@@Madriveroutfitters LOL...absolutely! Nothing like a Largemouth exploding on your fly up in the lily pads. If that doesn't make your heart race...time to call the coroner.

[@elliottnally3271]

I live in the so called buckeye state

[@Madriveroutfitters]

Cool! It is actually called that.

[@SeemsLikeSomething]

Wouldn’t it be easier to just answer peoples questions here on the channel comments, rather than ask every single person to ask it over again using a different platform/forum? Not to mention, it’ll help people who are also interested and you won’t have to keep answering the same question multiple times.

[@Madriveroutfitters]

So sorry but the comments are not monitored by Brian or anyone in the shop. No way they can do that AND answer phones and emails. They can easily be reached through the shop though and are always happy to help and answer. That’s what they do.

[@canadiangemstones7636]

Media guy doesn’t fish.