Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

gillbum here,

I fish strictly with trout flies for gills using the same flies as I did for trout. Here in upstate New York, the gill fishing is just getting hot about the time trout fishing is winding down. Like right about now and throughout the hot part of summer. I use the same wet and dry flies I use for trout. My favorite wets are colorful types and old standbys like Professors, Grizzly Kings, etc. When I fish dries I mostly use Royal Wulffs, Yellow Sally's and other bright, attractor patterns like those, but over the years I've discovered that gills aren't really all that fussy. What are some of your favorite flies and/or poppers?

gillbum

Views: 359

Replies to This Discussion

Boogle Bullets, Micro Me Poppers are some of my favorite topwaters for bluegill. A bit more expensive than betts poppers but I like them because they are very durable. I also tie some of my own and I agree I don't find the bluegill to be very fussy about what they eat, if it looks like a bug, it will do the job.
i fish trout flies for gills also,i use a lot of Bill Everhardt's yellowhammer patterns,two of my best producers are his yellowhammer nymph and his sheep fly .
i also fish a lot of leggy sinking spiders,and dragon nymphs,i also tie an estaz shrimp that workes well on chinks(red ear).
i love the betts poppers!!! they caught me the biggest gill of my life. also i like using the Adams parachute
my favorite is this wierd little popper i got at a fishing camp and nailed a 8 1/2-9 incher on
it white and fat but kinda of pointy so more of a slider.
ftb95
For most of the water I fish, I like these: #12-14 Royal Wulff, #18 Griffith's Gnat, #10 popper (mostly black-over-chartreuse or white with black spots), #10 black Wooly Bugger, #12-14 yellow nymph, #12 Parachute Adams and Irresistable, #12 Green Paradrake. Wish I could remember where I got the yellow nymph 'cause the gills hit that when they ignore everything else, but I can't find the proper name for it. Think of a Pheasant Tail with yellow body and no legs. I may have to resort to tying them myself. :-D

RSS

Latest Activity

John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Clinton Reservoir Smallie 2

"Thats great, Bruce! 1Big strong Freshwater Smallies, good going! Didn't get on them today.…"
19 hours ago
Bruce Tomaselli commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Clinton Reservoir Smallie 2

"I've landed 2 over 20" in the past several years. One just made 20" and the other a…"
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Clinton Reservoir Smallie 2

"Thanks Bruce, we got them 12-15".Going here again today to fish deeper and explore the…"
yesterday
Bruce Tomaselli commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

Clinton Reservoir Smallie 2

"Great smallmouth."
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Sunday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's album
Thumbnail

Watershed Fishing 2025

"Thanks Dick, hoping for bigger Smallmouths after we get used to this 425 acre body of water, with a…"
Sunday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Love This Netted Coppernose……Best of 2025

"Thanks Dick…..my favorite picture of 2025…..loved the markings"
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

More From Great Fishing on 5/18 & 5/19…….

"We are very fortunate to have an abundant supply of fliers Dick…..I’ve made a lot of…"
Saturday
dick tabbert commented on John Sheehan's album
Thumbnail

Watershed Fishing 2025

"Lookin good John,."
Saturday
dick tabbert commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

More From Great Fishing on 5/18 & 5/19…….

"That guys on my bucket list."
Saturday
dick tabbert commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Love This Netted Coppernose……Best of 2025

"Nice coppers as always Jeff."
Saturday
dick tabbert commented on Jim Gronaw's photo
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Lots of Predators in May…..5/22/2025

"Thanks Slip…..hope you’re doing well!"
Saturday
Slip Sinker commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Saturday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Lots of Predators in May…..5/22/2025

"Thanks Bruce….Have a great Memorial Day weekend…."
Friday
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Friday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Lots of Predators in May…..5/22/2025

A lot of largemouth are guarding Frye…..when you cross through the pod with your bait it may be…
Thursday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
May 21
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
May 21
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
May 21

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service