Fly Fishing For Bass
Media
Review By Dave Votaw





Click Above For The Fly Fish Ohio
Rating System
Lefty
Kreh and Bob Clouser are two icons of bass fishing. If you’ve every
picked up a fly rod to fish for bass – largemouth or smallmouth – your
approach to this challenge has been influenced by these two men. For
anyone wishing to start fly fishing for bass, this DVD is the place to
begin. Whether you’re a lifelong trout fisherman who has become
interested in warm water fishing, a spin fisherman curious about those
guys “standing in the water waving a stick,” or someone completely new to
fishing, Clouser and Kreh are talking to you, bringing you the information
you need for success in pursuit of the gamest fish that swim.
Watching this DVD, it is immediately obvious
that these two guys come from a background that included both spin fishing
and baitcasting. You will not see fly fishing snobs dressed in fancy
clothes, no "Brad Pitt" types going in over their head chasing a trout on
a Western river. These guys are two good ol’ boys; country
gentlemen who don’t speak perfect English but have figured out that under
certain conditions fly fishing for bass is the right approach. And
they’ve got some surprises for the viewer with preconceived ideas about
fly fishing. Forget the size 20 dry flies, 7x tippet, and 4-weight fairy
wands. Bass are looking for some serious “meat.”
Kreh and Clouser open by pointing out that fly
rods are simply another tool in the arsenal of their bass fishing
equipment, and their use is dictated by the conditions a fisherman faces
at the start of a trip. Their primary application takes place when water
temperatures rise above 65 degrees and under low-water conditions; below
those temperatures they recommend hardware. Casting rods and spin gear
are also more effective when bass suspend deeper than 10 to 12 feet of
water. And, in Clouser’s words, you’d be “crazy to fly fish” in the wind.
After the introduction, the viewer gets
approximately 80 more minutes covering almost all aspects of fly fishing
for bass in both flat and moving water. This review includes tips and
basic information such as how to string up a rod, but also more important
recommendations on what type of rod to use. Kreh and Clouser agree
that the all-around best rod for bass is an 8.5-9 foot 8-weight, made of
fiberglass or graphite, and with a half or full wells grip to provide a
thumb rest rather than a cigar grip. During the summer season the most
practical line is a weight forward floating line, particularly a bass bug
taper, although sinking and sink-tip are also discussed. They also spend
a good deal of time talking leaders due to the potential for confusion to
new fishermen by the vast array of choices.
Kreh and Clouser are very up front in talking
about their thinking on flies for bass, i.e., 2-3 inch flies are too small
for larger bass. They spend time explaining the flies needed, colors, and
sizes, especially Lefty’s deceiver and the Half-and-Half fly (half
Deceiver and half Clouser) in sizes from 6 to 8 inches long! Again in
Clouser’s words, you want to “give them groceries.” Any hardware
fisherman will show you baits every bit of 8 inches that have been
attacked by bass no bigger than the bait. We need to be regularly
reminded that bass aren’t trout. Clouser and Kreh also teach you how to
present these big flies, including the “Susquehanna strip,” which involves
stripping the entire swing of your arm and turning the thumb down at the
end of the strip to cause the fly to drop, often precipitating the
strike. For new bass fly fishers, this discussion of flies and how to
present them may be the most useful section of the DVD.
Clouser also explains wading techniques,
smallmouth habitat in rivers, how to work a pool, and several techniques
for fishing streamers in current. His casting technique may not be what
the viewer expects as he utilizes the efficient pick-up-and-lay down
approach; long casts generally are not necessary and with a big fly on an
8-weight a lot of false casting is counter productive. (Keep repeating,
this isn’t trout fishing.)
Kreh takes responsibility for reviewing flat
water techniques for largemouth bass, including ponds, bigger lakes, and
reservoirs. Most of the same flies apply to both species, and he prefers
moving up to a 9-weight rod for longer casts.
For fishermen who already know how to handle a
fly rod, this DVD has everything you need to get started successfully
fishing warm water for bass. New fly fishermen will need additional
instruction on how to cast a fly as Kreh and Clouser don’t review basic
concepts of fly casting such as shooting line or hauling. Lefty Kreh &
Bob Clouser on Fly Fishing for Bass is great stuff to view and highly
recommended. The disc runs 90 minutes and is available from
Reel Resources for $29,95.
