What's your favorite Fly for big gills?

[Alex G.]

When I began fly fishing this year, I only had about one and a half months left of good fishing weather. In that time, Ward Bean's panfish polecat was the best producer for me.

[David Merical]

I did good with some of these modified Cap Spiders. I modified them by using a small glass or plastic bead at the head, rather than using a 1/100oz jighead. The bead caused the fly to descend even slower, which was a good trigger.

This version of a SHWAPF also worked really well, especially early in the season when the water was cold and slightly muddied.

These minnows tied with mylar tubing also produced well early in the season:

My favorites are a variety of topwater flies tied using foam sheets. One pattern that was fun to use incorporated a large "sequin" at the eye of the hook. The cupped face makes a nice little "pop" when jerked.

And really...woolly buggers are ALWAYS a good option to try. Usually, browns or purples worked really good.

[Alex G.]

David, I really like the looks of those modified Cap Spiders!

Here are some I have high hopes for come spring..... but that's a bit over 4 months away round these parts!

[Alex G.]

and some more

[David Merical]

Alex, you tie REALLY well!!!

[Charles Singleton]

Alex, that first one looks like it'll be a real killer! Here's hopin'! I'm assuming you just trimmed the hackle for that tapered look?

[Charles Singleton]

#6-#12 Wooly Bugger (all black or olive), #12 green paradrake, #18 Griffith's Gnat, #14-#16 Mosquito, #8 Miss Prissy (popper), #12 Royal Wulff, #12-#14 Royal Coachman, #12 Parachute Adams - others I can't bring to my muddled mind at the moment. I've had success with lots of them. Depends a lot on the wx conditions.

[SteveGibson]

Two flies that produce for me include my Myakka Minnow and my Plain Jane Nymph.
Myakka Minnow

Plain Jane Nymph

[shooter]

hey steve glade to see you here,i tied up a couple of those myakka minnows,man the perch love them.
my favorite fly for gill,i guess this spider.

[David Merical]

Thats pretty cool! Is that green thread or peacock herl around the throat/eyes?

[shooter]

hey David,that is metallic green #521 Gudebrod thread,

[george]

I don’t have a favorite BG fly … any fly that works in any particular situation is my favorite.

I love big Bluegills – but only a recent love affair after Bruce extolled their virtues a few years ago……
Before that they were just “bait” - forage for largemouth bass and hybrid stripers in our ponds …
I raise them – I feed them - CPR them…

Yeah, I’m a pond guy and an avid fly fisherman of many years – tie all my flies and like to keep them simple, blue gill flies in particular.

My fish are too valuable to only catch only once, so I tie flies oversize to cull the dinks. Normal days will produce a couple of 9 – 10 inchers, many less, and so far three over 11 inches.

Small foam wiggly leg spiders and gurglers on top and JigHook Minnows and Krystal Buggers subsurface.
If all else fails a “Purina Nymph” is infallible…

[Charles Singleton]

I'm assuming the Purina Nymph is the one looking like a pellet. I have one similar to that, but I didn't tie it. Came with an assortment and I just cut off the lead barbell eyes. Now, if I mangle it a little in the water, it sinks slowly.