After the rainy season. AKA, July, the flood waters have finally receded.
I had made a few short recon trips over the past few weeks which resulted in only a handful of small fish, and the best one may have gone 12”.
Certainly not what I was hoping to find! The water was still high and precarious so I stayed close to the banks and didn’t risk it for the biscuit.
The past two trips should have been better. Conditions had improved greatly, which reopened the playground, however, the fish simply weren’t holding in this stretch of river.
I stayed on the program, and stubbornly returned again this morning to see if there would be any bronze in my future today.

The water was still up, but the clarity was good and it was very fishable, although there was a few large logs, branches and floating grass to contend with. I hoped that the smallmouth had read the play book and set up shop.

A savage explosion on about my 10th cast answered that question! A fat river tiger came rocketing out of the river attempting to throw the Whopper Plopper 90 stuck in her face.
The fish repeated this a few more times and made some powerful runs for freedom, but I played her gingerly, the hooks held and she finally came to hand.

She was a beautiful river smallie! After a few quick pics I sent her back on her way. What an experience for both of us.

I caught another 4 bass on top and missed a few too. I also had a few on a soft jerkbait before the skies darkened and a heavy rain storm moved in so quickly I moved out.

It had been a fun morning with some nice fish and I drove home with a smile on my face.