Catchingest flies

[John Sheehan]

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!

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

At least one authority suggests
these two:

Improved McGinty
Black gnat

He suggests you can do with these two alone.
Others add the Woolly Bugger often enough, and foam
spiders/beetles get a lot of billing. Poppers get a lot of traction, too, although
my guess is their effectiveness is limited more than we admit.
Big bluegill do feed on minnows and fry,.especially in summer. So small streamers probably should be
in your fly box.
Here at the beginning of this discussion, let me recommend a book for the fly
enthusiast:
"Bluegill... Fly Fishing & Fly's" by Terry & Roxanne Wilson

Now I'll be quiet. This should get interesting.

[John Sheehan]

Thanks David .I forget foam spiders, yes Gills and RBS like them .Gonna try the Wooly Bugger ,I have some of those .I have some black ants ,not sure about gnats. I'll look up the improved Ginty . I could use a good book on Bluegill/ panfish  fly fishing .Thanks for your suggestions!

[John Sheehan]

Heres the bee like improved McGinty : http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.warmwaterflyfisher.c...

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Yep that's the "noted authority" I referred to earlier. I didn't remember his
name, our where I'd read it. LOL

Much has to do with seasonal food preference and presentation, too.
In summer, when small fry are available, big bluegill will take
small minnow streamers. But in the early part of the year, they may shun them
because they don't "belong" in their forage base yet.

But some designs just seem to be producers all the time. The McGinty
seems to be one of these, ditto Black Gnats. Its not that they
"match" any one thing, but that they have the "right" elements for any season.
Others that come to mind are ant patterns, damsel and mayfly nymphae,
and the many popular, rubbery legged patterns.

[jim cosgrove]

[Ray Ditzenberger]

If that authority tries to take my poppers or craft foam spiders away from me he will have one heck of a time doing anymore fly fishing for several weeks with his broken arms.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Easy there, Ray. We're on your side!
LOL!

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

here are a bunch of flies I got John, must of which
could entice bluegill under the right circumstances.
Some may look familiar, others not.
Couple nice streamers.... if your want a closer view of
any of then, let me know and I'll get some shots.
Many of the members will be able to identify them,
and it would be fun and educational learning what they are.

[richard ryel]

My fishing partner and I have been doing real well lately on unweighted slow  sinking nymphs, the kind like Gold Ribbed Hair Ears and Cap flys.  They ride just below the water surface and the Gills usually fight over them.  Natural colors like Black or Brown early before the sun hits the water and Greys as the day lightens up seem to work the best.  They seem to hit them as soon as the fly first hits the water or on a very slow overhand strip.    

[John Sheehan]

Thanks Richard .I look in my boxes for these .

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Where do you fish these, Richard?
What kind of cover, structure, etc.?

[richard ryel]

We've been wade fishing a small creek near my house which is loaded with Gills and a growing number of Rio Grand Cichlids.  (Rios as we call them, really put of scrap especially on Ultra Light Fly poles).  We just cast up against the Moss or near ripples near pools and have a blast.  Not uncommon to catch 60+ during a 4 hour wade here lately.  I am going to throw a McGinty in the morning to see what happens.  I really enjoy tying and trying different flys  just to see what's on the menu.  LOL