what length of leader ?

[Johnny]

Was curious as to how long is the length of leaders do most of you gents use, and any difference in length between floating or sinking line ??

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Great question and always of interest

[Allen Morgan]

One thing that no one has mentioned - WIND!

I started fly-fishing in Oklahoma, "where the wind comes whipping down the plains...."

A "typical" day there has the wind blowing 10 - 15 mph, gusts to 25 mph.  If you want to fly-fish in that, you'll need a spot sheltered from the wind, you'll need to learn how to do a double-haul.

I also have an 8wt TFO Professional rod.  It's a graphite rod, but not as stiff as most graphite sticks.  It almost feels like a fiberglass rod.  It does help with the wind.  I've caught bluegill with it.  Yes, it doesn't transmit the pull and "fight" of a bluegill like a 5wt or lower rod, but it helps with the wind.

I will say that I originally bought my 8wt to chase Striped Bass in the river.  I never did connect with any on that rod, though.

Now, I'm up in Michigan.  Yes, the wind blows here, but nothing like back in Oklahoma.  I foresee my 5wt and 4wt rods getting used more here.  I'll still pull the 8wt out, to chase Bass, Steelhead, Salmon, and Pike with.

[Johnny]

As far as what type of fly I plan on using ??? a little of every thing, want to get into wet flys to see what happens, figured the big gills get big by staying in deeper water, thats where I need to go.

But fish'n with poppers is a blast, fun to watch a blue gill just mob a top water fly, when I was a kid a guy showed up at a loc al fish'n hole with a fly rod, never seen one till then, he caught one after another, thats what lit my fly rod fire.

[carl hendrix]

Johnny; thought you might like poppers !  try using a legion brim killer; as a dropper behind the popping bug;; its extremly deadly !! sometimes I catch 2 gills at one time !!  the popper; also acts like a float;; the bream killer slowly sinks;; blue gill cant stand it !!  fishing under trees; with bag worms in it;;  its fun time !

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Carl, if I may- -

its the Ligon, "Bream Killer" a slow sinking spider pattern

https://www.breambugs.com/ligon-bream-killer-fly.html

[carl hendrix]

David;; I never was a sectary; only a construction worker

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Here you go - all the flies youll ever need, from our own Terry Wilson.

http://www.thebluegillpond.com/archived-articles/FlyboxfortheWarmwa...

[Jason Preslar]

 I use a floating line just like with trout fishing in streams. The leader may make some difference, although I think it's minimal as most waters aren't that clear for bluegill. I like to find out what type of fly and presentation they're wanting first. Something on top like a spider or a small streamer. Normal sized Woolly Buggers work great for me for larger panfish.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

What are you calling "normal" size Woolly Buggers?

[Jason Preslar]

I should've been more specific. Size 6 or 8. I try and use enough weight by beadhead or conehead on the streamer to get it down toward the bottom so I can retrieve in whatever manner works.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

That's my single best size range for a bugger. I've tried them to size 12, but never feel comfy tying them, let alone fishing them. 6-8 is just right.
Thanks for the response

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

1ft leader?