Fly Fishing the Upper Illinois for Smallmouth

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Jcelt

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I have never fly fished for small mouth and want to try the upper illinois. I have done some research and located several places recommended starting with the Chewy Bridge. I will be wade fishing and from what I’ve read I would be OK with Woolly Buggers, muddled minnows etc. I have some small poppers If that would work. Most of my fly fishing is for trout so most of my flies are trout related. Any suggestions or input is appreciated. Thanks!
 

dennishoddy

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The main diet of smallmouth is crayfish and minnows.
Stick with the colors resembling either and you should be good.
Take pics and let us know how you did.
 

Cowbaby

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Thye like orange and black or yellow and black wooly buggers down here on Mt. Fork river. Unfortunately the dang river is surrounded by trees that lean out over the water making fly casting tough. An old school 6" plain silver rapala minnow chunked in the roughest water you can find does pretty good too.,
 

Master Carper

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I have been molding a 2 1/2" black Hellgrammite for fly fishing for small mouth bass, and it works extremely well in any lake or river that holds small mouth bass.

I add a tungsten bead to a size #2 Gamakatsu Carp hook, and hook the Hellgrammite lure through the center of the head. I also tie the hook on with a loop knot, which allows the lure to swim naturally in the rivers current.

IMG_20210401_115844.jpg
 

Master Carper

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These are excellent streamers for small mouth bass.

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Here is a trout that weighed a little over 2 pounds that I caught on the above posted Hellgrammite lure when fishing for small mouth bass.

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