Tiny Poppers has always been a part of my fishing arsenal. I use them more in late summer and fall as opposed to the Spring months fishing Smith Lake. Smith is tough to fish after July 4th. when the drawdown begins and continues into late September and early October. The lake has dropped 10 ft. by late October and will remain low throughout the winter months. Fishing the familiar places such as the nooks I fish in the Spring is out because the fish have moved to deeper water along the rock walls. During this time of the year is when the size 12 tiny popper will get more hits than a larger popper I fish in the Spring. I compare fishing this size popper to fishing a dry fly on the Sipsey for trout. The hits can be far apart at times, but when it does occur it is usually a quality gill. Silk smooth surface water is ideal to fish the tiny popper and a delicate presentation helps produce the hit, which is light and not aggressive. The gills will suck the tiny popper in with very little surface movement. I like using my 2/3 wt. fly rods making a short cast to deliver these little poppers with a light presentation.
The tiny size 12 K & E Stopper Pan-fish popper which comes in a three-pack is one of my favorites. White, black, chartreuse and yellow are the color choices. I use all four colors and no one color is my favorite. On some days one color produces better than another color. I guess it just goes to show how finicky these gills are this time of year.
My other favorite is this size 12 bluegill bug by Orvis. There are days when this popper will produce when the K and E poppers are getting fewer hits. I like to use the Orvis Bug popper when the fish are splashing at the K & E poppers, without getting hooked. The bug floats half under the water surface and the other half barely above surface film. The face of this popper is concave which when moved slightly will get the attention of a finicky gill or bass. All you will see most of the time when the popper is sitting still is a slight swirl subsurface meaning set the hook!!
Today's trip on Ryan Creek fishing Smith Lake rewarded me with a few spotted bass, some female/male gills, and one beautiful sunfish or sun perch. All were caught using the K & E size 12 popper in chartreuse and white and the Orvis bug. A lot of fun using my 2/3 weight 7 1/2 ft. Redington.
