Welcome to this summer’s DuPage River Fishing Report — a deep dive into what’s been working, what’s been challenging, and what you can expect when fly fishing the Dupe right now. From weed-choked runs to post-rain surges, the past few outings have delivered a little bit of everything — and the fish have responded in kind.

In this DuPage River Fishing Report, I’ll break down current conditions, how smallmouth bass are behaving, the flies that are getting eats, and a few lessons I’ve learned the hard way. Whether you’re a regular on the West Branch or just getting familiar with the main stem, this report will help you approach your next outing a little more dialed-in.

DuPage River Overview

The DuPage River doesn’t always get the attention it deserves, but for fly anglers willing to explore, it offers a surprisingly rich summer fishing experience. I’ve spent most of my time on the West Branch, dialing in a few reliable “honey holes” that consistently produce quality bass. But this summer, I’ve started branching out into the main stem — and it’s been a blast discovering just how much more the DuPage has to offer.

The main attraction on DuPage is the smallmouth bass. The bass here are no slouches — they’ll eat, and eat well, once you figure out where they’re holding and how they want a fly presented. Once you dial it in, there’s the potential to haul in a 3-4 lb smallmouth, along with what feels like an endless supply of hard-fighting dinks. 

That said, summer brings its own set of challenges. Like many Midwestern rivers, the DuPage gets choked with weed growth this time of year, making presentation and fly selection extra important.

Still, whether you’re wading through a familiar stretch or scouting new water, there’s always something to learn on the Dupe — and summer might be the best time to do it.

DuPage River Fishing Conditions

Summer on the DuPage has been a mixed bag, and the river’s conditions have been changing week to week — sometimes day to day. July brought a few heavy rainstorms that spiked water levels across the system, but things have finally started to settle down. Right now, flows are returning to normal, and depending on where you’re fishing, that can be a good thing or a mixed blessing.

The West Branch seems to benefit from a little extra water — it keeps the current moving, breaks up weed mats, and gives bass more ambush spots along the banks. On the main stem, lower and clearer water has been the ticket, especially in stretches with decent depth and structure.

Speaking of weeds — they’re here, and they’re not going anywhere. Weed growth has exploded, as it tends to do in summer, making some areas tough to wade and even tougher to cover efficiently. But it’s not all bad. If you pay attention, those thick weed lines start acting like fish magnets. Bass are hugging the edges, using them for shade, cover, and feeding lanes. You’ll definitely get hung up in a few, but once you start reading the seams and the pockets, the payoff can be worth it.

Bug-wise, there’s been plenty of dragonfly and damselfly activity, but surface takes on them have been sporadic at best. The heat has pushed most fish into deeper pools during the day, but low-light windows — early morning and just before dark — have seen a noticeable uptick in surface activity.

Dupage River Fishing Report

If you’re chasing smallmouth on the DuPage this summer, you’re in good company — they’re still the main event. While you’ll run into the occasional largemouth, this river is a smallie show, and the action has been steady if you know where (and when) to look.

Low light has been a game changer. Early mornings, late evenings, and stormy windows have all kicked the bite into gear. One memorable session on the West Branch saw the bite fire up just before a summer downpour — and again right after the skies cleared. If you can time your outing around weather shifts, you might catch that magic window when even the bigger fish get a little reckless.

The usual springtime spots — shallow flats and wide, sunlit pools — haven’t been as productive. Instead, I’ve focused on the deep channels, shaded banks, and the trickiest parts of the river: those tangled weed edges in the deepest holes. They’re a hassle, but they hold fish, and the reward’s been worth the effort.

Fly Recommendations

When it comes to smallmouth on the DuPage in the summer, success has come from dialing in a low-and-slow approach. The warmer the water gets, the more these fish seem to want an easy meal delivered right to them — no sudden movements, no flashy retrieves. 

That said, there are still moments where a well-timed topwater bug can trigger a reaction strike that’ll jolt you awake. 

Here are the flies that have been putting in the work lately:

Wooly Buggers

No surprise here — Wooly Buggers continue to be my go-to pattern on the DuPage. Two versions have stood out:

Jiggy Buggers are the go-to when you need to get deep and stay there. These are just standard Buggers tied on jig hooks with heavy tungsten beads (and often some lead wraps for good measure). They punch through current to reach fish glued to the bottom. Sure, you’ll get hung up now and then, but when they eat down deep, this fly delivers.

Crayfish Flies

Crayfish patterns — particularly the Clawdad — have been deadly in rocky stretches where natural craws are most active. Size 2 has been the sweet spot. These sink quickly, imitate the DuPage’s natural forage closely, and fish well near bottom structure. Kicking up real crayfish while wading is a great sign you’re in the right zone — and that your fly choice is right on target.

Topwater

Summer smallmouth and topwater eats — a match made in heaven when the conditions are right. It hasn’t been an everyday thing, but when the stars align (low light, higher water), these flies shine:

Crease Flies are your ticket in murky or stained water. They push a ton of water and can call in fish that might not otherwise commit. These flies shine in low light, especially around dusk or after a rain bump.

Mr. Wigglies have been the finesse option — best when the water’s clear and the fish are spooky. They don’t pop or splash, but they skate and twitch just enough to mimic dragonflies, damselflies, or hoppers. Not my first choice every outing, but on calm, clear evenings, they can out-fish everything else.

Tips for Fishing the DuPage River

The DuPage can be incredibly rewarding — but summer fishing comes with its own set of quirks. Whether you’re new to the river or just looking to dial in your approach, here are a few things I’ve picked up this season:

Plan on Losing Flies

The weed growth can be relentless, and if you’re not occasionally getting snagged, you’re probably not fishing where the fish are. Bring plenty of extras — especially of your most productive patterns — because you will lose a few. It’s less about fly variety and more about putting the right pattern in the right place.

Steer Smart

When you do connect with a fish, try to steer it away from the densest weeds as quickly as you can. Even smallmouth in the 12–14″ range can bulldog their way into a tangle and make things messy in a hurry.

Pick Areas Based on Water Levels

When flows are up, the West Branch or East Branch are great options — they handle higher water better and stay relatively fishable. The main stem, on the other hand, can get muddy and tough to wade when flows spike. But when conditions stabilize and the water clears, the main stem holds some bigger fish and is worth the extra effort.

Along with your Gear, Bring Your Patience

This isn’t always a numbers game. Some days, the bite turns on fast. Other days, it takes an hour just to find where the fish are holding — and even longer to figure out how they want the fly. It’s part of the challenge, and part of what makes the payoff so satisfying.

Match the Conditions

On hot, sunny days, go deep and slow — or work the shaded water under trees and along weed lines. On cloudy days or during low light, you can fish a little more aggressively and break out the topwater flies for explosive eats.

Consider Bumping Up Your Rod Weight

I usually fish a 6-weight rod for smallmouth, and it’s still a great all-around choice. But when fishing the main stem or trying to muscle fish out of thick weeds, bumping up to a 7- or even 8-weight rod can make a big difference. The added backbone helps steer fish out of trouble once they’re hooked, especially in faster current or weedy channel.

Lessons Learned

There’s something to take away from every fishing outing— even if the fishing is slow, the weeds are thick, and you lose half your fly box. That’s part of the deal with fly fishing: it keeps you humble, curious, and always learning. Here are a few key takeaways from this summer’s sessions:

The Tortoise Beats the Hare

This season has reinforced a simple but easily forgotten truth: slow presentations win, especially in the heat of the summer. There were plenty of frustrating days where nothing seemed to work — until I dialed things back and started dead-drifting flies as slowly and naturally as possible. Whether it was a wooly bugger or a crayfish fly, letting the current do the work and resisting the urge to strip too soon made all the difference.

It’s not my favorite way to fish, I’d rather be aggressively ripping streamers and topwater, but it’s the most effective right now. You might feel like you’re going nuts dead drifting flies like it’s trout season, but it pays off with patience and persistence.

Don’t Fear the Weeds — Fish Around Them

Early on, I was skipping over some of the weediest water, assuming it was unfishable. But I quickly learned that those weedy stretches hold fish — and lots of them. The trick is to find the lanes and edges where bass can slip in and out to ambush prey. Yes, you’ll get snagged now and then. But more often than not, those hang-ups are a sign you’re fishing the right water.

Some Puzzles are Harder than Others

Even on days when I didn’t catch many fish, I walked away with more insight into this river — how it changes with weather, where fish shift during heatwaves, and how fly placement matters more than fly selection. That’s the beauty of the DuPage (and fly fishing in general): it’s not just about catching — it’s about solving a puzzle that’s constantly changing.

And honestly, if it were like shooting fish in a barrel, it wouldn’t be nearly as fun.