Do you love big bluegill?

Catchingest flies

I have very limited experience with the fly rod but enjoy the technique .I would like to see folks list their top fly choices . I have caught Gills and Red Breasted Sunfish on Poppers and Beaded Nymphs, but would like to score on Streamers, and other Wet and Dry flies and learn the Art and Craft more .I hope to learn a lot from you guys!

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by David, aka, "McScruff" on July 5, 2013 at 11:01am

x2 on easy and fast!

Permalink Reply by jim cosgrove on July 5, 2013 at 12:49pm

here are 2 very easy dry flies.ultra chenille,singe the end with a lighter.poly yarn,helps it float and easier to see.and a hackle.these are on sz 14 hooks.whatever color bugs in your area just match the chenille.easy and cheap.not the prettiest but they land soft and they can suck em right down.

Permalink Reply by John Sheehan on July 5, 2013 at 11:33am

Tom McNally in his book 'FLY FISHING ' suggests these five FLIES for Panfish: Popping Bugs, sponge bugs, Catalpa worms, Michigan Hopper and something he calls a 'SQUASH BUG ' NYMPH with a 1/2 " narrow pork rind strip .He says, " it's a fly that will level the best fed Bluegill". I can't find a photo after searching but McNally says it consists of ,"plump orange body, Gray turkey quill back, and grizzly hacking ."

Permalink Reply by jim cosgrove on July 5, 2013 at 12:44pm

Permalink Reply by David, aka, "McScruff" on July 5, 2013 at 1:03pm

I'm gonna have to buy chenille....
my local Hobby Lobby doesn't carry it.
I did discover they carry a bunch of different feathers.
Maybe not top quality, but maybe they are. I don't
know enough to tell.
But thanks, Jim. Picture saved. I like the
extended tail; it looks very "terrestrial."

Permalink Reply by jim cosgrove on July 5, 2013 at 1:23pm

you can make any color you wish.ultra chenille is the way to go.lots on ebay.you can also get small packs of hackle.we have had a ton of rain this year after last years drought and have green slime algae on every thing so i gotta stay on top to get close to the weeds.i find the bigger gills are more willing to come up to the surface than the little ones

Permalink Reply by David, aka, "McScruff" on July 5, 2013 at 1:07pm

Three of these are surface flies.
This interests me, since bluegill feed BENEATH
the surface 90% of the time.

Permalink Reply by jim cosgrove on July 5, 2013 at 1:28pm

we have so many bugs out now i am catching 90% on the surface right now.i have better luck with poppers than live bait

Permalink Reply by David, aka, "McScruff" on July 5, 2013 at 1:47pm

I guess it really does matter, going with what is actually happening
on the waters you fish.
I've noticed a general decrease in flying bug numbers at the pond. Poppers just done have the same appeal they had earlier.
The swimming pool, on the other hand, seems to collect bees, waspy-anty critters, gnat-like insects and an occasional small cockroach.
Meanwhile, the dragonflies seem to have the pond to themselves.*
Maybe I need to get up earlier!

* a damsel nymph mimic might work....

Permalink Reply by Ray Ditzenberger on July 5, 2013 at 1:49pm