In my estimation, many northern Wisconsin trophy smallmouth fisheries peaked within the last decade. Reaping the rewards we did. While fishing those waters remain productive, big fish are not as prevalent in some systems like they once were. Harvest by meat hunters and death from old age are partially to blame. More boats and less fish to catch are the current situation. Supply and demand are in conflict. Today, more poor days of fishing them now outnumber the good days. Nowadays, more adult smallmouths are elusive. Our catch rates are down, overall. Fishing pressure is higher than ever before. Considering all factors, the fishing is tougher. If you never thought big smallmouths would condition or become elusive creatures, think again. Adult smallmouths grow more educated annually. During the prior two decades, I can recall suspending jerkbaits, crankbaits, and high-powered search lures being trustworthy, daily fish catchers. We threw them day and night to catch and release thousands of uneducated smallmouths. We rarely ever had to turn to finesse strategies unless miserable, adverse fishing conditions required this drastic change in tactics. On one lake in p