Small Streams: Big Rewards
Perhaps it was those youthful years on tiny Plum Creek. But as far back as I can remember I’ve always had a special fondness for small water smallmouthing. Certainly every smallie is a treasure and a joy to catch, but finding and hooking hefty bronze from small streams is one of my favorite daydreams. And plenty of other guys feel likewise, especially after an 18-incher on their line turns a placid stream into a froth. Unfortunately small water lunkers aren’t easy to come by in many places, but there’s one type of stream where you can significantly up your odds with the big boys.
One of the very best places to find bruisers are in streams that receive very low fishing pressure. These overlooked little waters don't have to have high growth rates, or even high numbers of bigger fish, for you to be successful. Once you find one of these “secret” waterways, catching the bigger fish shouldn’t be extremely difficult. (After all, the smallies will probably be pretty naïve and big fish habitat pretty limited and obvious.)
Finding Overlooked Streams
Actually, the toughest challenge will be identifying and finding overlooked streams. Start by sifting through any written material you can find, both fisheries department material and magazine, website and local newspaper articles. Also, both my smallmouth books and my recent video will help in your quest, since they have information on identifying and finding good stream habitat. Asking as many sources as you can is another way to uncover big bass streams. Take special note if several sources mention a specific stream. Finally, get out the detailed maps-- look for streams that are more inaccessable than the others in the area, especially those connected to larger rivers or lakes which support smallmouth.
After this homework, head for your targeted waters for some "field research." Focus your attention on the sections of river that seem the most inaccessable or overlooked-- providing these sections have some big fish habitat (water at least 4 foot deep with cover). One type of water to look for is a stream too small to easily float that has thick, brushy banks. Other possibilities are streams with lots of downed trees blocking the channel, or quieter stretches of stream between difficult-to-float whitewater areas.
One of the most overlooked places to catch big bass is in small stretches of good smallmouth habitat hidden in an otherwise unproductive stream. Some streams are predominantly sandy, marshy or extremely shallow, but have isolated stretches with rocky substrates and adequate depths. These overlooked stretches can have some real lunkers, simply because almost no one knows about them.
Over the years, I’ve spent many hours investigating what at first glance seemed like marginal streams. Of course, many turn out to be largely devoid of good water, but in maybe one out of a half-dozen streams, I uncover stretches that hold good-sized fish. And I really treasure these hidden gems. In some, a 16- or 17-inch fish is a monster, and in other creeks I’ve landed beauties in the 20-inch range. All have given me great satisfaction.
Of course, not everyone cares to invest the time and effort it takes to seek out these overlooked waters. But if you’re the sort who really enjoys discovering your very own honey holes, this just may the angling adventure for you.