Chain pickerel are one of my favorite freshwater gamefish. While many anglers despise them, I am rather fond of them. Why do so many anglers dislike them? Chain pickerel are members of the pike family, and like their larger cousins, they have mouths filled with razor-sharp teeth. These teeth, as well as sharp gill plates, give them the ability to rob fisherman of their expensive flies and lures if precautionary measures are not taken.
Read moreFly Fishing For Shad
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.
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