Fly Fishing for Bass: Tips and Tricks

By TFO

Throwing flies at bass this summer?

Here are some tips from Tim Romano, of Field & Stream Magazine on how to improve your catch rates. For more tips, check out his blog post at, Five Tips for Catching Bass on the Fly.

Bass are found in all 48 contiguous states and even Hawaii. They eat readily and can be fished for most of the year. With the advent of flies like Umpqua’s “Game Changer” and “Schmidterbait” it’s never been easier to target these fish with the long rod. Here are five tips that should help you catch more bass on the fly.

©Temple Fork Outfitters.

1. Fish slowly with the top water bug: I’d say nine times out of 10, when I wasn’t paying attention to my popper, is when it was eaten. This tells me that I ought to slow it down and let it sit more than I think I should.

2. Use a constant retrieve while nymphing for bass:  It’s almost impossible to discern a bass eat underwater with a nymph, even with an indicator. A constant retrieve of your bug, slow or fast, will help you feel the eat and catch more fish.

3. Find fish in big water: This one can take time, but is essential if you want to be consistent on a larger body of water. Learn one lake and fish it consistently. Fish with a local and ask a ton of questions. Find the structures like old creek channels, drop offs, old buildings, roads, etc. and you will eventually find the fish.

Check out, Five Tips for Catching Bass on the Fly For more tips, check out the blog at Field & Stream.

©Temple Fork Outfitters.

Looking at getting in to fly fishing for bass? Check out these TFO rods! The Mini Mag, The Mangrove and The Hawgleg. Have questions on when and where to throw big flies for bass? Drop us a note at info@tforods.com, or check us out on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The NEW TFO Micro Solar Sunshirt

Comfortable in any condition, the TFO Long Sleeve Micro Solar shirt really comes alive when temps lurch into the 90s and humidity hangs overhead like a wet blanket. 

Equally at home while hanging around the boat ramp or the campfire, the long sleeved, lightweight-performance polyester material wicks away moisture while preventing harmful UV rays.

A Large TFO Blue smoke logo is screen printed on the back, and the features a three-inch TFO Rods Loop logo above the left breast.

Shirts come in sizes from S-3XL.

Check out the new Micro Solar shirts, as well as other TFO related gear, on our new shopping cart: TFO online shop!