BLUEGILL FLIES

[chris kowaleski]

What are some good flies to look into for bluegill or other sunfish varieties? 

[chris kowaleski]

I'm moving into a new house near a river in a couple weeks, and i'd like to be armed for the fly fishing that will ensue.

[Leo Nguyen]

Chris, tell us which river you're moving to, or rather, next to, and we'll give you suggestion. You got master tyers here that will give you an earful. Remember, each water unique, based on the food supplies the fish forage for. However, the creation of fly shapes and sizes are the same. Just the coloration vary on the flies to enhance the capture rate.

The way, are you using fly rods or spinner to use the flies with?

[chris kowaleski]

The San Marcos river. The water is suuuuper clear, and it's seen in many of my photos. I would like to further my use of the flyrod, but i do fish with both.

[Allen Morgan]

Honestly, I'm not totally sure that it will matter.

Poppers, either store-bought or homemade, along with foam grasshopper patterns in the summer.

Nymph and other wet patterns in the winter. Zebra Midges, Chironomids, etc.

You might want to get an indicator of some sort. Or, just do a hopper-dropper rig; tie on a big foam grasshopper pattern, tie a short piece of tippet to the hopper's hook, and tie a nymph pattern to that. The grasshopper fly acts as a float.

Honestly, if you think about it, Bluegills and Trout both eat a LOT of insects. Just start trying lots of trout flies and make a list of what works.

[chris kowaleski]

Well alright, that's good to know. Not too far away there will be a river with trout in it come December.

Also, right now i have floating weight forward fly line. Should i look into a line that sinks?

[Allen Morgan]

You'll probably want to look into a intermediate tip line, if you go that route.

Most of the water I fly-fish is shallow. I have a furled leader, which sinks if not treated with floatant. The leader is about 8' long, add some flourocarbon tippet that sinks as well, and I can reach down there in still water. Moving water, depends on the force of the current. I'm still using WF5F line. I may upgrade to a better line soon. I'd like to switch up to a WF6F line when I do that, to help load my pole, but that will rob me of a little distance.

I need to get a spare spool for my reel, and get both :)

[Allen Morgan]

I remember reading about how the center-pin folks are targeting Steelhead up north. They throw a rig that has a nymph fly, some split shot above the nymph, and a slip-float to suspend it. They throw the rig across the current and slightly upstream, and let the current drift the rig downstream. They will check the drift by taking in, or at least, not letting line out, as it moves downstream. This actually causes the nymph to rise up in the water column, and is an extremely natural-looking presentation. Supposedly, it's deadly.

Might be sometime to try? Get some Copper Johns, Prince Nymphs, etc.

[jim cosgrove]

if it is clear water go with more muted natural colors.the pan fish don't like to fight the current,so look for them in slower water and weed beds and brush.i find they like a fly that is moving even slowly and moves/breaths when stripped.tiny crayfish patterns would be my first choice

[Mark Sleeper]

Hi what was the material to tie the carp fly also what hook and size Thanks Sleepy

[Rick King]

That is a really good looking fly - Is that moose hair?"

[Bill Purmort]

Rubber spiders in size 8, 10...black, white or orange
Poppers size 6,8,10. White yellow, black, purple, green
Hares ear...size 8, 10
San Juan worm size 6,8,10 green, red, purple
Wooly worms size 6,8...yellow, green, black
Elk hair caddis, size 8, 10 green yellow
These will give you coverage from top to bottom based on the length of your Tippett.
Have fun and let us know how it goes

[James]

small clousers, muddler minnows, small wooly buggers, hoppers, and numerous dry flies will catch gills. personally i use a small red/white clouser, a tan/white muddler minnow for fishing subsurface and at depth. i've also been know to throw on a parachute adams, royal wulff, and a black gnat dry flies with just as much success when the sun is not directly on the water. 

 if you throw any of these patterns you are bound to catch some gills.