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LEC MONTHLY MEETING MAY 15TH AT THE BURCHFIELD NATURE AND ARTS CENTER, 2001 UNION ROAD, WEST SENECA, NY

Beginners fly tying and Social Hour will be from 6:00PM-7:00PM. A general meeting and presentation will be at 7:00PM-8:30 PM. Featured fly will be the “Pheasant Tail Nymph” instructed by Bill Trowman. Casting instruction by Al Kerner and Rusty Hardiman.

Our feature presentation at 7:00 will be “Smallmouth Bass on the Fly” by guest speaker Kirk Klingensmith. Kirk is longtime member and past president of Twin Tiers/Five Rivers Chapter of FFI in Corning New York. A well traveled fly fisher here in North and South America Kirk has also contributed to many books and articles on fly fishing. This is a must see especially in our area where we have such a great smallmouth fishery.

Smallmouth Bass on the Fly

Fly Fishing for Smallmouth

Smallmouth bass are my favorite species to pursue with a fly rod, and I've spent over 55 years chasing them across the country, from the rocky streams of Maine to the winding rivers of Virginia and the expansive waters of Minnesota—and beyond.

In this presentation, I share my passion for smallmouth bass and the tactics that have proven effective for me over the years. We'll explore how smallmouth differ from other species typically pursued with a fly rod, and how to adapt your fishing strategies accordingly. You'll gain insights into the seasonal behaviors of smallmouth and how they influence their feeding patterns and habitat choices.

We'll also dive into the interplay between fly selection and fishing tactics, and how combining the right approach with the right flies can greatly improve your chances of success. Whether you prefer wade fishing or fishing from a watercraft, our region offers incredible smallmouth opportunities. I'll share recommendations for maximizing your experience from various platforms, including boats, kayaks, canoes, inflatables, and drift boats.

Kirk Klingensmith served as President of the Twin Tiers Five Rivers FFi Chapter from 2008 to 2024. A life member of both Trout Unlimited (TU) and Fly Fishers International (FFi), Kirk has been fly fishing for 55 years. While he enjoys fly fishing for a variety of species, smallmouth bass hold a special place in his heart. Each year, he dedicates 50-60 days to chasing bronzebacks, with 30-40 of those days spent floating the Chemung and Susquehanna Rivers in his Hyde drift boat.

Kirk retired from a 37 year career Corning Inc, as an Engineering Fellow. He led technology for glass melting and forming, for LCD displays, optical fiber making, He holds 24 patents.