Brandon Bailes is one of the best hair bug tyers in the U.S. Here's his advice for catching bass on these nostalgic yet effective poppers.

Smallmouth and largemouth bass love hitting some crazy-looking flies. Here are the 20 best bass patterns ever ... but come summer, my biggest bass thrills happen when I’m fly fishing for bass.

3. Popper/Diver. This is a given. Whenever you can get a smallie to hit on top, you are in for a lot of fun. A Diver fly will dive down a few inches on the strip and then float back up.

Fly Fishing Gear for Bass A 7 or 8-weight rod is perfect for throwing air-resistant poppers. That size rod will deliver large flies and have the backbone to pull strong, heavy fish out of weeds ...

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Stormtracker8 Meteorologist Matt DiNardo was joined by Captain Simón Valencia of Current Culture Fly Shop on Wednesday to discuss fly fishing for shad and striped bass.