Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

Oct 9, 2013 Hackle, Ants and Floatant

Small hackle flies and ants caught fish today.
The flies were refurbs, tied over some old #16 trout flies I've had hanging around. These old flies have a bit of floss or chenille remaining after decades, but that's it.

So rather than throw them out, I use them as a base to which I add hackle, wings, etc. Some might call me cheap for doing this; but I like to think I'm recycling a "valued resource." It helps that these flies once belonged to my long deceased father. I'm sure he would be pleased to see me reusing his old tackle.

As long as these flies floated, there were strikes at the surface. Most were short takes, but one was a 12" bass. I'll play with those guys any time, and be happy to do it.

Once the fly became sodden, it would slip beneath the surface after splashdown... Then it was countdown time.
Give it 3-5 seconds, and begin working the bug with a 1 ft. stripping retrieve.
I caught several small bass and a 6" red ear this way, and each was a savage hit-and-run. Usually, the fly was moving on the take.
It may be October, but the fish are still willing to hit it hard!

I was also testing a home made fly floatant, something I read about in one of my fishing books. It is a simple, 3:1 solution of naphtha and silicone grease. It is easy to make, inexpensive and has potential. In use, the naphtha evaporates immediately after application, leaving a thin silicone film on the fly. I won't say it is perfect, yet, but once I get the ratio right, it ought to do the trick.

Views: 832

Attachments:

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Allen, no apologizing among friends!

If anything it should be I that apologizes. I sometimes come off sounding like a know it all, in my zeal to share and be contributing. So Ill beg your indulgence - you , too Mike..

Holy CRAP! that is one big ant. Id be afraid to go near the thing.

I collect hackle where I find it. Ebay, the hobby store, etc. I dont get a wide selection of micro sizes, but I get mine at budget prices.. SO far Im catching fish on them, so Im happy enough.

It's not about how expensive the materials are, and how realistic they must be in approximity to the real thing. If it's 50% resemble the real thing, using 2nd, 3rd, worst materials on hand, you're golden. What fishes see is not the same as human perception.

I recently read that very thing, Leo. Im shooting for a "maybe" in the mind of the fish - that will turn enough of them into biters to make me happy.

 On a personal note. I find I like frilly, fluffy flies.

Frilly, fluffy flies..hm..I feel like cotton candy all of a sudden.

RSS

Latest Activity

John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
1 hour ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Found a Few Hibiscus not Quite Bloomed…..7/5/2025

"Thanks John…..being in the south we’re always drawn to cypress trees and the…"
2 hours ago
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Found a Few Hibiscus not Quite Bloomed…..7/5/2025

"Nice info, Jeffrey! Up here my main Crappie habits have been wood cover near deep water and willow…"
3 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

My Dad Doesn't know Where to Cast Next.......

"This is my dad who loved fishing…..this cove is similar to the one with all cattails but in…"
6 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Found a Few Hibiscus not Quite Bloomed…..7/5/2025

"I think all fresh water fish like to relate to cattails…..the most cattails I’ve ever…"
6 hours ago
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Found a Few Hibiscus not Quite Bloomed…..7/5/2025

"Up here the Pickerel can be found by Cattails and other tall reed areas. The first spawning…"
7 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Found a Few Hibiscus not Quite Bloomed…..7/5/2025

This is always a great spot with cypress, cattails and now a blooming hibiscus..next time I’m there…
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Fish Attractant in the Coastal N.C. Marsh…..7/4/2025

"Thanks John…anytime you get close to them there’s hundreds of different insects…"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Joe Struck Copper on a Sand Bar….7/5/2025

The wind was building on the main river so we splashed back to the ramp after 42 gills, 1 bullhead…
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Fish Attractant in the Coastal N.C. Marsh…..7/4/2025

"Good work on finding fish habitat!"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Pretty Masked Copper Shallow ……7/5/2025

Preparing for next week’s buck moon on 7/10……
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a status
"Up early this morning, heard we were going to have a tropical storm in the Carolina’s…so Joe and I went and burned some crickets…"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Fish Attractant in the Coastal N.C. Marsh…..7/4/2025

"I have Bruce but most jigs I use are 1/32 or 1/16 with a little bigger hook…..with so many…"
yesterday
Bruce Tomaselli commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Fish Attractant in the Coastal N.C. Marsh…..7/4/2025

"Smart plan. Do you fish any ant or grasshopper type jigs and bait?"
yesterday
Jeffrey D. Abney posted a photo

Fish Attractant in the Coastal N.C. Marsh…..7/4/2025

I search out these wild hibiscus flowers because they attract lots of insects which in turn brings…
Friday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

The Emerald Colors are Incredible……7/3/2025

"This one had it behind the eyes and the tail….."
Friday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Emerald Tail Black Crappie……7/3/2025

"It may be a brackish water thing…..these fish are living in an area just a mile from dense…"
Friday
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Nice Channel Cat Grabbed the Jig Under a Float…..7/3/2025

"Anywhere you have food and a little current you have plenty of channel cat……had…"
Friday

© 2025   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service