Shad are one of my favorite fish to chase with a fly rod. They readily take small, bright flies and are great fighters.
Read moreWard Bean's Cockaroo
A slightly modified Cockaroo that earned a regular place in my wet fly box.
I have been a long time reader of Ward Bean’s website, Warmwater Fly Tyer . I have tied and fished many of the patterns found on the pages of his site. For the warm water fly fisher/tier this is an incredible resource. I highly recommend a visit.
Read moreTandem Rigs for Pre-Spawn Bluegills
The Wiggler duo. A deadly combination!
When the fish are holding deeper, you need to get the flies down to them. I do occasionally use sinking and intermediate lines, but as we move closer to warmer weather, I am usually equipped with a floating line in anticipation of the season's first topwater bite. To get flies down under these conditions I will fish a tandem rig with two flies. One fly will be large and heavy to bring the small unweighted wet fly down to the fish.
Read moreThe Pennell Wet Fly - An Early Season Favorite
The Single Feather Pennell Wet Fly is a year round favorite, but it is particularly effective early in the season.
This season like many in the past it is the fly I am apt to select a Pennell Wet Fly from my box more than any other wet fly or soft hackle. Granted I have a lot of confidence in the pattern because I have been fishing it so long, but it is mostly because it catches fish.
Read moreTop Fly Patterns For Early Season Bluegills
Late winter/early spring can be a frustrating time for the panfish fly fodder. Bluegills and other sunfish are starting to make more frequent forays into shallow water, but cooler water temperatures reduce their need for food and keep them sluggish. To consistently catch fish this time of year you need to fish slow, and you need to fish deep. While panfish anglers in the south may be enjoying the first quality topwater fishing of the year, those of us north of the Mason-Dixon line need to look for our fish below the surface.
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