~~~Riffles~~~

If you're looking for smallmouth during the summer months, riffles are a good place to start. Above, below and in these river  areas are where smallmouth "hang out". Smallmouth frequent these areas for two reasons. Food and oxygen. The water at a riffle is concentrated into a shallow ribbon which makes it much easier for smallmouth to catch their prey. They like to work at the leading edge of a riffle to nab minows and other aquatic life as

they are swept into the riffle by the faster water. Below the riffle, at the head of the downstream pool, the same aquatic life concentrates after passing through the turbulent water. Smallmouth at times can be found working in the riffle itself. Hellgrammites are normally the prey in this area. Water temperature is often lower and oxygen content is somewhat higher in and below a riffle. During the hot summer days,  these two factors are critical to a smallmouth survival. Minnow or sculpin patterns work well above and below a riffle. Hellgrammite, woolly bugger and crayfish patterns are the ticket in the riffle. Riffles not only give a river character, but also support all sorts of aquatic life. Find a good riffle and you will find smallmouth, particullary in the summer months.

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Photograph By: Carl D. DeFazioP