A Review of "River Smallmouth Fishing," by Tim Holschlag

By Tim Holschlag (Smallmouth Angler Press, 2010) is brand-new and red-hot. Everyone who is serious about smallmouth or any kind of river fishing needs this book. Holschlag has put together what amounts to a complete course in fishing for Micropterus dolomieui , his favorite game fish. Reading the river, judging weather conditions, understanding how seasons affect fish behavior and movement, selecting the right lure and knowing how to present it, and outfitting oneself with the optimal combination of tackle, gear, and watercraft, are all covered in painstaking detail. He includes a section on fly fishing and another on the basics for beginners. Holschlag manages to teach without seeming to preach and to explain without becoming boring. This guy is the guide every angler wants along on a fishing trip. The next best thing is to take along his book.

Holschlag knows smallies so well that it would be easy to believe he was one in a former life. His book thoroughly describes their habitat, seasonal migrations, and responses to environmental conditions. There are also illustrations that show exactly where the bronzebacks are likely to be found in a variety of rivers and under a variety of conditions.

More…