For recipes and fishing instructions for all these flies, and more, see this book:
Lefty Kreh says ...
"Smallmouth Fly Fishing" is a super book every serious fly rodder should have ...
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Tim Holschlag's Signature
Smallmouth Flies
__ A Smallmouth Fly Angler.com Exclusive __
AVAILABLE NOWHERE ELSE
Tim says...
"For years I scoured shops and mail order sites looking for good smallmouth flies that I could recommend to my clients, readers and students. But I mostly found generic "bass" flies that were created to attract the angler rather than the fish. So I decided to offer a line of personally tested flies that cover a wide variety of angling situations. These are some of the top smallmouth flies featured in the book "Smallmouth Fly Fishing"
Topwaters: $3.25 -- Subsurface Flies: $3.00
MINIMUM ORDER = 10 FLIES (ANY COMBINATION) *
Call 612-781-3912 to order
Not sure which flies to get? -- Let us customize a selection for you!
Just tell us:
> The state or region where you fish
> Whether you fish lakes or rivers
> Your fly fishing experience level
> What weight rod you're using
... and Tim Holschlag will choose the best flies for your fishing situation.
Custom Selections (Topwaters, Subsurface, or Mixed)
1 Dozen: $39.00* -- 2 Dozen: $75.00*
*plus shipping: $3.95, plus $1.00 for each additional 10 or dozen
Great Foam Topwaters
Some of these (like the Blockheads) are unique patterns created by Tim and friends. Others are old favorites that have been significantly improved or redesigned by Tim Holschlag and Dan Johnson using lightweight, extremely durable foam. The Holschlag line of topwaters are much more durable and last much longer than cork or hair poppers, so they will actually save you money. In fact, some of Tim's individual foam poppers have caught over 100 smallmouth each before they were "retired."
Blockhead Poppers
As some of you know, Tim Holschlag helped pioneer closed-cell foam poppers many years ago. And since that time, the "Blockhead Popper" has developed a loyal cadre of fans who rightly regard it as the best bass popper around. Here's what makes the blockhead the best:
Blockheads in 3 sizes, 3 colors
- click to enlarge -
- Unique Shape -- A flat face and precisely-engineered angles makes it "pop" better than any other type of popper.
- Ultra-Sensitive Tail -- Plenty of marabou quivers and attracts fish even when it's at rest.
- No Spin-- It will not spin and twist the leader, even in strong current.
- Easy Casting-- So lightweight that it casts well even on lighter rods.
- Durability-- Its hard foam lasts far longer than either cork or deer hair.
- Permanent Color-- Inbuilt color won't wear or chip off
Original Blockhead Popper
The most versatile popper ever made. Pioneered in Minnesota 22 years ago. It has caught thousands of big bronze in rivers and lakes across the US and Canada. Some of these lunkers have been well over 5 pounds. Light enough to cast with a 5-wt rod, yet easily produces plenty of "pop."
(Available in white, yellow and chartreuse)
Big Blockhead Popper
Slightly larger than the Original, to produce very loud pops for a choppy surface or dirty water. Equipped with our special "open-point" weed-guard for largemouth or smallies in weedy or brushy waters.
(Available in white, yellow and chartreuse)
Bitty Blockhead Popper
Don't let the name or small size fool you. This ain't no cheap "panfish popper." The "Bitty" has landed hordes of big bronzebacks, including 20-inchers. The Bitty Blockhead's beefy sized hook, extra bushy tail, durable foam, and flat face make it an excellent smallmouth producer. It is superb when the water is extra-clear and the surface is flat. It is also perfect for small streams. It can be cast with even a 3- or 4-weight rod.
(Available in yellow and chartreuse)
Other Great Foam Topwaters
Some of these are exclusive new patterns. Others are old favorites that have been improved or redesigned by Tim Holschlag and Dan Johnson using lightweight, highly durable foam.
Weedless Roundhead Popper
The Roundhead produces a slightly different sound that's sometimes preferred by fish, sort of a "ploop" rather than the "pop" of a flat-faced Blockhead Popper. Its silicon legs and long marabou tail quiver easily, making it deadly when fished ultra-slowly. It's lighter and much more durable than cork poppers and has our special "open-point" weed-guard. Also a favorite with hardcore largemouth fans.
(Available in yellow and chartreuse)
Foam Diver
Deerhair divers are good topwaters, but invariably get waterlogged. This foam diver floats forever and dives to a consistent depth (about 3 inches). It produces a quiet "pop" and a nice bubble stream that's deadly in moderate to clear water, such as rivers that become clear and slow-flowing in summer. It can also be effectively fished subsurface on a sinking line, especially for lake smallies and largemouth.
(Available in white and yellow)
Foamy Pete
Tim's foam version of the Sneaky Pete. This quiet, bullet-headed "slider"-type topwater is excellent for big fish in low water or clear water. Lasts much longer and performs much better than a cork Sneaky Pete. Tim's says, "This is my go-to fly when late summer rivers get low and clear."
(Available in yellow/chartreuse)
Subsurface Flies
All of these flies have caught thousands of fish-- smallmouth as well as other fresh and salt water species. Based on their weights and sink rates, these patterns cover shallow, mid-depth and deeper water situations. The various colors are those Tim has found to be effective under the widest variety of conditions. And they are not cheaply constructed imports like the flies most shops offer. Tim's professional American tiers turn out durable flies of the highest quality.
Superior Subsurface Selection
With these ten flies in your box, you're equipped to tempt any persnickety smallmouth who won't eat on the top, provided you fish these patterns effectively.
Holschlag Hackle Fly
Regarded by many as the best crayfish pattern around. A signature fly of Tim's for 20 years, the HHF is a bottom-bouncing pattern that's a go-to fly whenever smallies are eating craws and when fish are inactive. This is a perfect pattern for doing the effective "Crayfish Hop" technique.
Golden Minnow
There are lots of Clouser Minnows available, but this one has a unique custom-colored "goldish" belly that makes it fantastic during the summer crayfish season on many waters.
Baby Bass Minnow
One of the most popular "Minnow" colors in the country, the "Baby Bass" doesn't just appeal to big bass, but it catches virtually every species that swims. Everyone needs a few of these flies in their box.
Albino Minnow
Tim's special mix of white bucktail and various synthetic materials makes this bottom-bouncer a year-round producer, especially deadly during the spring, fall and winter. The numbers of big smallmouth and other species Tim Holschlag and his clients have caught on the Albino the past six years is simply amazing. Excellent in both rivers and lakes.
Whitetail Hare
This is a mid-depth pattern with 1/60th-oz eyes. It's an excellent search pattern for covering lots of water, but can also be allowed to sink deeper and twitched slower. The rabbit-fur tail produces outstanding undulation, without the excessive fur that makes so many rabbit flies nearly impossible to cast when wet. A large deerhair head really pushes water, and the bright white color is excellent even in clear water.
Blacktail Hare
Our newest fly, the black version of the Whitetail Hare. What color the fish want at any given time changes. Sometimes white is the ticket, the next day it may be black. Having both colors along is always wise.
Cactus Bugger
This mid-depth pattern, moderately weighted with lead wire, can be effectively fished either fast or slow. The extremely bright, flashy body material, combined with its chartreuse rabbit-strip tail, makes it especially good in stained and lower visibility water. Also excellent for largemouth bass.
White Shenks Streamer
Originally a trout pattern, this "bassified" version has been one of Tim Holschlag's favorite shallow-running patterns for 15 years. It's lightly weighted with lead wire, and sinks slowly. Not only is it excellent when fish are chasing minnows, it's also absolutely deadly when fished with slow twitches for sluggish smallies. This pattern is also great for brown trout over 15 inches.
Black Shenks Streamer
The all-black version of the effective white Shenks. While some days white is the best, other days the smallies prefer black by four to one. Get some of each to be safe.
Flash Dancer
Created by TV celebrity Larry Dalhberg back when he was a smallmouth guide, this is often a terrific mid- and late-summer pattern in moderate-clarity rivers. This slow-sinking fly can be fished with 18-inch strips in a pull-and-pause retrieve. Its extremely visible gold Flashabou wing can be seen long distances, making strikes in clear water an exciting visual affair.