Winter Bluegill Patterns

[Heath Shafer]

I usually pack up the Bluegill flies right about now and start to focus on coldwater species. It seems though that alot of people still have success in the winter also. I'm just kind of wondering what patterns are being used. Obviously with cold weather insects seem to be less of a factor in a fish's diet so I'm just curious about what else is out there for winter flies.

[Chris Barclay]

Great question Heath! I am experimenting with attractor type flies - bright colors, legs, beadheads, get down deep, etc.

[chris]

try a wooly bugger on sinking line. missed a few yesterday on that

[Richard Wayne]

I was out for a while yesterday and caught several bluegills on the black and bluegill fly that I have described elsewhere. I'm in North Texas, you're in NC. The creator of the black and bluegill - Jim Dean - is from NC also.

[Heath Shafer]

I had thought about switching from a floating line to a sinking tip. Most of the places I'm fishing are less than 10' so for me a full sinking line isn't warranted.

I haven't really started using bright colors yet. 99% of my flies are natural colors with a little chartruese thrown in here or there. I do like using beadheads because it takes very little effort drifting them deep.

I have been trying to find the recipe for "Black and Bluegill" but I cannot find it. Can I get any hints to where I could find it?

[Richard Wayne]

It's in the July-Aug-Sep issue of Fly Fisherman. You might be able to still find that issue in some fly shops. That's the only place that I have seen it. I have even tried to get in contact with the creator of the fly - Jim Dean - with no luck.

[Magnolia Rick]

http://southeastflyfishingforum.com/flypatterns/displayimage.php?pi...
is this it?

[Richard Wayne]

That's a nice pattern. Nice - but no cigar. I'll post the recipe in the next few days as soon as I get a chance.

[Heath Shafer]

I'm looking forward to seeing this recipe.

[Jen Nayfly]

http://writings-djones.blogspot.com/2010_06_01_archive.html
Scroll about 3/4ths way down...would this be the fly?

[Greg McWilliams]

http://bigbluegill.com/photo/naybee-2?context=user
Good and easy pattern. Heath, don't discount an intermediate sinking line. Sinks at 1" to 2 " per sec. I use it all year long with alot of the water 10' or less. This also allow you to go deeper byr counting down. Small bead chained eyes in size 10 and 12, or small steamer patterns!
http://www.nsfa-adventures.com/STEP_BY_STEP_FLIES_DRAGONFLY_NYMPH_V...
another bead chain eyed fly!!!!!!

[Greg McWilliams]

Heath , here is the recipe for the black and blue gill fly.
Hook: size 6 and 8 2x long
Weight: Several wraps of lead or lead free wire
Body: Black chenille
legs: White round rubber legs

After you tie in the lead wraps, attach chenille and wrap forward a little over half way up the hook shank couple fo thread loops to hold it in place. Attach 6 to 8 round rubber legs so that they extend toward the bend of the hook. Now wrap the chenille to just behind the eye and whip finish. If you tie in the lead wraps at the back of the hook, as you strip and pause, The pause will cause the legs to flutter.

Sorry about the blurry pic, my close up camera is no longer with us. But this will give you an idea how it looks. Don't be bound to the recipe colors there are all kinds of colors that will work. It is a pretty good fly I like to dub the body with rabbit dubbing and build it up!!!!
Hope this helps. This is a lot like Terry and Roxannes Bully bluegill spider. The legs are just a little farther back!!!

[Heath Shafer]

This looks like a killer for sure. I always love things that are simple and work. I'm going to tie a few and see what happens. Thanks for the effort in getting this recipe for me.