Popping bugs

[Mac]

Do any of you guys flip a popping bug on your poles? If so, do you use any special kind of rigging? What kind of bug do you like? I have used them sucessfully in the past but seemed to have a hard time getting it out there the other day when I tried it.

[Joe DiStefano]

Hi Marty,
I have a few panfish sized fly fishing poppers rigged up on 7x, 2 ft. tippets that I use with a furled fly fishing leader attached to the end of the pole. It gives great control to the popper and to regular dry flies as well. The trick, I've found, is to set your rig up so that the length of the leader and tippet amounts to half the length of the pole. This gives you nice control, although it necesitates using a landing net at times. I've also found that I've had to use longer poles (12', 15', and 18' Tenkara-style telescoping poles) to put the popper where I want it. Hope this helps.
Fr. Joe