A Different Kind of Blue Lining

November 11, 2020 Panfish On The Fly

The term Blue Lining usually refers to fishing small, often remote, trout streams for native or wild fish. I had a craving for a little blue lining myself but at the height of "leaf season" here in New Jersey, fishing our small wild trout streams that flow through hardwood forests is an exercise in futility, at least until the leaves are off the trees. That being the case, a different kind of blue lining was in order. I headed to where trees have needles instead of leaves, the Pine Barrens.

Don't Hang Up That Fly Rod Just Yet!

October 21, 2020 Panfish On The Fly

There are still fishing opportunities for the warm water fly fisher as we get closer to winter. You just need to adjust you tactics!

Many warm-water anglers stop spending time on the water when cooler weather arrives. For some, it is time to transition to the field, and time is spent hunting instead of on the water. Others prefer to fish when the weather is warmer. If you are still craving some quality fishing, don't put away that fly rod just yet. Bluegills and other panfish are always up for a game of tug of war, but you may need to change your tactics a bit to get them to play.

Terrestrial Patterns for Panfish

September 22, 2020 Panfish On The Fly

If you have never fished terrestrials for panfish you are missing out on some great topwater fly fishing!

The angler who chases panfish with a fly has a mind-numbing variety of flies to choose from. Traditional dry flies, hair bugs, foam bugs, and poppers will all work if the fish are looking up. As we move into the spring and summer, terrestrial insects become an essential food source on the ponds and small lakes that I fish near home. The shorelines of these bodies of water are buzzing with flying and crawling terrestrial insects and many of them find their way into the water.

Baby Bluegill Streamers for Big Panfish!

May 27, 2020 Panfish On The Fly

Big panfish cannot resist the Baby Bluegill Streamer!

Every year when spring rolls around, a ritual repeats itself underwater on lakes and ponds everywhere. Big male bluegills emerge from the depths and enter the shallows. They are fish on a mission, and that mission is to build a nest, attract a mate and defend that nest, and it's young to the bitter end.

Epoxy/Resin Bodied Wet Flies

December 20, 2019 Panfish On The Fly

One of the great things about fly fishing for bluegills and other panfish is that you often have the opportunity to catch a lot of fish. Catching a dozen or more fish on a single flies has a tendency to wear them out pretty quick. It is an excellent problem to have if you are a fly tier because now you have a reason to tie more flies! That being said, I am always looking for a way to make flies more durable.