Black River

[cuttyrainbrown]

I'm thinking about heading to the black for some smallmouth fishing and have never done it with a fly rod before. Just wondering if anybody here has had experience doing it and what's a good fly to use. I was thinking about clouser minnows or some kind of crawdad pattern. Used to catch them all the time on little lizards on a spinning outfit but thought it'd be awesome bringing in a smally on the fly.

[sharker]

for me wooly buggers have done the trick. you can also tie some crazy legs on them and they'll work. helgramites if you can make them. you'll probably catch a ton of sunfish before you'll get your smallmouth, but it'll be fun

[cuttyrainbrown]

Thanks for the info. I will give that a shot. Are there a lot more sunfish now or do you just catch them more on flies? I don't really remember seeing them a whole lot but I haven't been there in a couple years and like I said I'd always fish with conventional gear. **** I don't care if I catch anything for 4 days. It's just a beautiful place to be.

[Old Bull]

Bears are out big time right now. Keep your camp secure and have fun. That place is awesome.

[Westy]

Originally Posted by Old Bull

Bears are out big time right now. Keep your camp secure and have fun. That place is awesome.

Good point.
Hang that food high and watch out for the bears and also be mindful of the closure dates on the river. Check the regs.

Smallies will readily take all sorts of streamers from large to small especially those that imitate the readily available food sources in the the river.

[jrdorvis]

at fish creek confluence 9 years ago i was sleeping and had a bear grunting around camp.
took my glock out shot a few times in the air.....problem solved....believe me buddy there wayyyyy more afraid of you!

[cuttyrainbrown]

I always keep the camp very clean. All the cooking goes on away from camp and clothes are changed before going to bed. Usually where I camp there aren't any large trees to hang anything up so I've locked the food boxes in the truck and haven't had a problem. I have woken up many times to bear crap all over the place but haven't had any problems or ever seen one. The only time I've had problems is in the White Mountains from a cub who thought my truck bed and hood was a trampoline. Has anyone got clear information on having a firearm on the res? I've heard you are absolutely not allowed to have one and I've heard having one for personal protection is ok.