USSFN:  9/21/02 - We have all been there.  The days are still hot, the largemouth are deep, undercover, and couldn't care less about our lures.  Traditionally these trophies are inactive and don't feed much during those hot late summer days.  What's worse is when you have nice weather all week and it decides to rain on the weekend.  This could be the best thing that could happen.

A light steady rain can be your best friend during this season.  There are several benefits from one of these soaking rains:

• The rain will increase the oxygen level in the water which serves to make largemouth bass and other species more active.

• The water temperature will drop allowing bass to venture into shallower depths and come out from heavy cover.

• The rain also washes insects, etc. into the water that quite often will send these bass into a feeding frenzy.

All of the above can completely turn things around and liven up the water.  Even the biggest of these elusive bass can't resist an easy meal and will often venture near shore in this cooler water.  This is the perfect time to use some of your smaller fly weight tackle.  Matching your tackle with what is washing into the water just provides another entree for bass.