Flies for Smallmouth Bass38 proven patterns
Dry flies, nymphs, streamers and more that catch smallmouth bass, grouped by type.
Dry flies 5
CJ's Party Crasher#14#16CJ's Party Crasher — a proven dry pattern.Elk Hair Caddis#14#16#18Al Troth's iconic caddis adult imitation. The go-to searching pattern in summer.Gurgler (Bass)#2#4#6Gurgler (Bass) — a proven dry pattern.Maddin's Scorpion#14#16Maddin's Scorpion — a proven dry pattern.Stimulator (Yellow)#14#16Stimulator (Yellow) — a proven dry pattern.
Nymphs 8
Damsel Nymph (Olive)#14#16#18Damsel Nymph (Olive) — a proven nymph pattern.Hellgrammite Fly#4#6#8Dobsonfly larva imitation. Trophy smallmouth bass love this big, dark nymph.Little Black Stonefly nymphAuto-discovered from fishing reports. Little Black Stonefly nymph is mentioned in current fishing reports.Mop Fly#10#12#14Controversially effective fly tied with mop fiber chenille. Imitates grubs and maggot-like larvae. Hated by purists, loved by fish.Pink Squirrel#12#14#16#18Wisconsin-born nymph with a pink bead and squirrel dubbing. Devastatingly effective.San Juan Worm#10#12#14Simple red worm imitation that works everywhere. Trout love it after rains.Scud (Pink/Orange)#12#14#16#18Freshwater shrimp imitation. Dominant pattern in weed-choked tailwaters.Zebra Midge#18#20#22#24The most productive midge pattern in the West. Dead-drifted under an indicator.
Streamers 23
Articulated Drunk Sculpin#4#6#8Articulated Drunk Sculpin — a proven streamer pattern.Articulated Streamer (Drunk Sculpin)#2#4#6Double-articulated streamer for targeting trophy brown trout.Balanced Leech#8#10#12#14Tungsten-pin balanced fly. Sits level under an indicator and pulses with micro movements.Balanced Leech (Black)#14#16Balanced Leech (Black) — a proven streamer pattern.Black Woolly Bugger#4#6#8Black Woolly Bugger — a proven streamer pattern.Black Woolly Bugger (Bass)#4#6#8Black Woolly Bugger (Bass) — a proven streamer pattern.Clouser Crayfish#2#4#6Bob Clouser's own crayfish design. Rides hook-up along rocky bottoms.Clouser Crayfish (river)#4#6#8Clouser Crayfish (river) — a proven streamer pattern.Clouser Minnow (Bass)#1/0#2#4The definitive bass baitfish pattern. Jig-style with lead eyes rides hook-up and works deep.Clouser Minnow (Bass) (Chartreuse/White)#4#6#8Clouser Minnow (Bass) (Chartreuse/White) — a proven streamer pattern.Crayfish (Fly)#2#4#6Rubber-legged crayfish imitation. Stripped along the bottom for bass and big trout.Crayfish (Fly) (Olive/Rust)#14#16Crayfish (Fly) (Olive/Rust) — a proven dry pattern.Olive Woolly Bugger#4#6#8Olive Woolly Bugger — a proven streamer pattern.Olive Woolly Bugger (Bass)#4#6#8Olive Woolly Bugger (Bass) — a proven streamer pattern.Pine Squirrel Leech#14#16Pine Squirrel Leech — a proven streamer pattern.Slumpbuster#4#6#8Pine squirrel strip over a cone head. Amazing action and gets deep fast.The EP Fiber Minnow#14#16The EP Fiber Minnow — a proven dry pattern.White Woolly Bugger#4#6#8White Woolly Bugger — a proven streamer pattern.Woolly Bugger#4#6#8#10#12The iconic all-purpose streamer. Imitates leeches, baitfish, crayfish, and more.Woolly Bugger (Bass)#2#4#6The go-to bass streamer. Marabou tail pulses irresistibly on a slow strip.Woolly Bugger (Black/Olive)#4#6#8Woolly Bugger (Black/Olive) — a proven streamer pattern.Woolly Bugger (Olive)#4#6#8Woolly Bugger (Olive) — a proven streamer pattern.Woolly Bugger (Olive) (Bass)#4#6#8Woolly Bugger (Olive) (Bass) — a proven streamer pattern.