Let’s face it, the smallmouth bass is a fantastic fish to target on a fly. From their acrobatic leaps to their aggressive fight, few things light an angler up like a fun day on the water catching hungry smallmouth. Jake Villwock, author of Smallmouth Flies, Top to Bottom, has honed his craft and shares the tactics, secrets and flies that made him a go-to educator for smallmouth bass. Smallmouth Flies is more than just a book about flies. This book is a dictionary of how-to information on all things Smallmouth; it contains over 300 fly patterns and recipes on how to tie them, and will get you dialed in and ready to catch your own quarrelsome smallies.
When I begin reading a new book, I want to get a feel for the author first. So, I like to read the stuff before the chapters. In the Acknowledgements, as well as in his podcast with me, Jake pays an honored respect to his parents, noting his Dad in an early father-son photo. As the son of a commercial fisherman, Jake was taught the ways of an outdoorsman at a young age.
The foreword of the book is by George Daniel, who has served as a coach on the U.S. Fly Fishing team and is currently the Director of the Joe Humphreys Fly Fishing Program at Penn State University. George speaks to Jake’s commitment, passion, and darn near “addiction” for learning about smallmouth. Those are big words from a learned professor.
The Presentation
Regarding the presentation of the book itself, once again, Stackpole Books has done an awesome job. Starting with a super sturdy 8.5’ x 11 cover, the high-quality glossy paper, and a wonderful layout boasting excellent photography make this among the nicest looks and feels you can get in a book.
Let’s talk about the thumb through… we all do that, right? What first stood out to me was the gorgeous bronzebacks! Jake, along with others, including Editor and photographer, Jay Nichols, offer a beautiful presentation of images that got me excited to get out on the water myself. Dusty Wissmath provides the fly photography and does an exceptional job. A clean composition on a white background, you clearly see the parts and material to tie up your own version. With over 500 full-color step-by-step images and 300 patterns by today’s top tiers from around the country, this book will easily become your new top resource for smallmouth bass.
The Layout
Let’s review the layout of the book itself. Jake begins with a background of the species, their North American distribution, habitat, behavior, and environmental threats. He then breaks down the fly fishing equipment needed for optimal success, and recommended tying tools to tie up your smallie flies. He covers the obvious fly rods and fly lines, but what I took special note of was the leaders and tippet, specifically his leader formulas. If you are like me and like to get micro with your leader set, it’s awesome when a knowledge source like Jake shares his leader formula down to the inch. When you combine that with the recommended fly rod and line, you will have the tools to bomb some big bugs to small targets. In the tying tools and equipment, I took note of the Fish Skull Articulated Micro-Spines the were designed by Blane Chocklett for tying up the various articulated flies displayed like the Game Changer and articulated baitfish patterns as well as other options like the articulated stone-fly and articulated hare’s ear nymph.
Jake then breaks the book up into three parts; Surface Fles, Mid-Column Flies and Bottom Flies. Your mind is automatically being taught to start thinking like a fish. Where is the food for each particular situation and where are the fish feeding?
Surface Flies
Is there anything more satisfying than a surface eat? Whether you’re on a back pond in Labrador dropping big Drakes during a furious hatch or stripping a popping bug on the Susquehanna for energetic smallmouth, there’s nothing like top-water action.
In this section of the book, Jake includes a seasonal strategies section, six patterns with extensive commentary and full-color step by step instructions. Surface Flies finishes off with over a dozen beautifully laid out flies with their recipes. Here is where you see the photography work of Dusty Wissmath shine. Each fly is noted with the tier and where they were from.
Some flies to note: Parachute Chernobyl Hopper, Blane Chocklett’s Cicada, Charlie Craven’s Charlie Boy Hopper, Darek Darst’s D’s Deer Hair Frog, Pat Cohen’s Mo’ Stank Popper, Tom Baltz’s Para Nymph and many more.
Mid-Column Flies
Again, in this section you get the mid-column instructions, seasonal strategies, beautiful photography, five detailed, step-by-step tying instructions and dozens of mid-column patterns and variations.
Some flies to note: Villwock’s Roamer, Cohen Edition, Brian Shumaker’s Shimmering Minnow & Kelly Galloup’s Boogie Man and many, many more.
Bottom Flies
This section follows the same structure as the first two water-columns with detailed information on how tie flies and catch fish at the bottom of the water column. Included here are some beautiful photos and patterns of some of the smallmouth’s favorite meals, the crayfish and the stonefly.
Some flies to note: The Devil’s Doorstep (hellgrammite pattern), Invader Crayfish, Fish Fish Food’s El Crawcito, Rich Strolis’ Large Head Banger Sculpin, Bob Popovic’s Jiggy Fly and many more.
When I met and interviewed Jake for the Fly Fishing Journeys podcast, I quickly realized that he’s a focused individual. I sensed he got a lot of his attention to detail and drive from his dad. Those traits are brought forward in this book. If you want to learn more about smallmouth fishing, learn to tie modern flies with the latest materials, or if you want an excellent read and reference book for your bookshelf, pick up a copy of Smallmouth Flies, Top To Bottom.
Autographed copies can be purchased here: https://www.relentlessflyfishing.com
From the Publisher
Jake Villwock is the head guide and owner of Relentless Fly Fishing. Growing up in a commercial fishing family on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, fishing has been part of his life from day one, so it should come as no surprise that he chose a career in the fishing industry. After guiding in Alaska, Jake returned to the east coast and worked for TCO Fly Shop. He started Relentless Fly Fishing, which serves as TCO’s contract guide service. In addition to guiding, Jake is a blog-writer, contributor to Fly Fisherman magazine, and Eastern Fly Fishing magazine, and serves on various pro-staffs of leading industry companies such as Hatch Reels, Scientific Anglers, Simms Fishing, Clacka Craft Drift Boats, Scott Fly Rods, and Regal Vise. He lives in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Smallmouth Bass Flies Top to Bottom
978-0-8117-3784-5 • Hardback • July 2021 • $39.95 • Pages: 256 • Size: 8 ½ x 11 • 686 Color Photos
