If your passion is fly fishing; you owe yourself a trip to Ely, Minnesota. It is a true smallmouth bass heaven. I've had the opportunity of being entertained many times over the years watching fly fishing guests catch and release hundreds of smallmouth bass on their hand-tied fur and feather patterns.
To me, when fly fishing is mentioned in a conversation:
"I don't think of swift, free flowing streams and native trout; but of a calm bay, watching the 'blurp' of a colorful hand tied deer hair bug and while anticipating the swirl of a red-eyed smallmouth."
Years of experience has taught me that consistent fly fishing action in the BWCA and Quetico Park begins the third week of May and the Memorial Day weekend, and then continues through mid-August. This sounds late in the year to some of you but believe me; during the mid summer, fly casting over the submerged reefs out in the open lakes can offer superb Smallmouth Bass action. You could be trembling at the knees and mumbling your words. Where your life jacket! Sometimes the action comes in spurts, mainly in the mornings and evenings, but if you are a dual purpose fisherman (fly rod and spin gear), we'll fish deeper during the day off the reefs for walleyes as well. I've had guests pull in some bruiser bronzebacks with sink tip line and weighted streamers while I sculled (slow troll) backwards. Plus, there are many small, secluded lakes off the beaten track ( a portage or two ) that harbor fiesty smallmouth and even the indigenous largemouth bass.
Check these trips out-
The popular 'Cast and Cruise' style trip was designed specifically for the fly fisherman's needs.
The 3 day/ 2 night action packed 'Bass Blitz' is a great option for busy fly anglers on tight schedules!
The all newGone FishINN' package combines comfortable lodging at JC'sA Stay Inn Elywith Don's Classic NorthwoodsDay Trip
All of these Smallmouth Bass fishing trips are unique, designed with the needs required of fly fishing enthusiasts, and offer a constant supply of quality shoreline waters to float your lines.
Tackle suggestions include an eight to nine foot rod with #7 to #8 weight line. A light #6 weight can really offer a fun adventure when fighting an 18-inch smallmouth bass. Bring two outfits along with spare spools wound with sink-tip line. Remember backing and check your knots. Tapered leaders seem the most practical and nine feet in length the most common. That's your call. Deer hair bugs, frogs, woolly buggers, clousers, leech, and crayfish patterns work well. Flash Dancers and Dahlberg Divers are also excellent smallmouth bass patterns. A fly fisherman paddling throughout the border waters can keep many patterns in a small package. Just make sure to bring an ample supply because the BWCA and Quetico Park smallmouth bass fishing is fabulous.
If you have any questions, feel free to call Don at his home on Canadian Border Road or you can write, or e-mail.
