Smallies and the rest.....

Here's a question for you local guys that's I've always wondered about. Many have told me that the Smallmouth fishing on SR is excellent in summer, even up into mid and upper river. Is this true? If so, why have I never witnessed one being caught during Salmon/Steel season in almost 20 years of being up and down the river? I luv chasing smallies with a fly rod or ultra light and seems like many holes would be perfect for them. I have caught some very small trout but never a Bass or any other species besides Salmon/Steelies.  Any insight would be welcome

Wonder where they go or why no one catches them while the bigger fish are in the river....  they usually pound woolly buggers or streamers/nymphs etc.  Any thoughts?

They run up the SR in spring to spawn,then sometime in the summer they go back to the lake.I caught them in the spring in town while Steely fishing.
This year I had a Northern Pike swimming in front of me on the LFZ in Sept.,it was at least a ten #er,never saw one in the river before.

season is always 3rd Sat in June. I didn't imagine them actually going back to the lake. I know they catch them in Sportsman's and Black Hole as well. Just wondered why I never saw any in the Fall. We catch them thru the ice as well while Wally fishing. Thanks for the info. We are gonna take a ride up early July and swing some buggers this summer. Nuthin' fights better than a fat Smallmouth baby!  Thanks for the info gents.

When im plugging dropbacks in the late spring and start wacking smallies it can be pretty fun. usually the end of april ill start hitting them right up till they run the river low and the water gets warm. Cought them up to 5lbs and have had days where ive hit 20+ fish, they love copper colored hot n tots, and as said above i to believe they drop back to the lake.