In this conversation, Christian Bacasa interviews Alan Campbell, a fly fishing guide from Grand Rapids, Michigan. They discuss Alan's guide service and his focus on smallmouth bass and pike fishing. They cover topics such as fishing in the spring, transitioning from conventional fishing to fly fishing, and changing tactics for summer fishing. In this conversation, Allen Campbell shares his insights on fly fishing for smallmouth bass and pike. He discusses the different water levels and how to target fish in various areas, such as log jams and eddies. Allen also provides tips on approaching points and islands, as well as setting up rods for different fishing scenarios. Overall, this conversation offers valuable advice for fly anglers looking to improve their skills and catch more fish.

Takeaways

• Alan Campbell is a fly fishing guide based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, specializing in smallmouth bass and pike fishing.

• In the spring, Alan focuses on fishing slower sections of water and targeting areas where fish are preparing to spawn.

• Transitioning from conventional fishing to fly fishing can be beneficial, as conventional anglers often have a good understanding of fish behavior and can apply their knowledge to fly fishing techniques.

• In the summer, Alan recommends fishing early in the morning for topwater action and moving to deeper water and structure as the day progresses.

• When fishing topwater, casting at a 90-degree angle to the bank and using smaller flies can be effective. Understanding the different water levels and how fish relate to them is crucial for successful fly fishing.

• Targeting specific areas like log jams and eddies can yield great results.

• Using intermediate and full sink lines can help get flies to the desired depth and keep them in the strike zone.

• Choosing the right rod weight for the target species and fishing conditions is important for casting and controlling the fly.

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