Channel Cats On The Fly

[flyfisheranonymous]

A question for you guys, have any of you been actively fly fishing for Channel Cats and if so how have you been doing. Wouldn't mind learning a few new tricks to increase my catch rate up here. Always willing to learn.

[trout fanatic]

For me, the secret is to not target them. About 3 years ago I was fishing poppers for bluegills at a local lake. For some strange reason I decided to tie on a wooly bugger and promply tied into a 8 pound channel cat. I did successfully land the beast but had to check my fly rod for "bruises" when I was done. Never have targeted them, but maybe I should. I'll bet along with buggers, clousers would work as well (this could spawn a whole new fly industry-hot dog flies, rotten shad gut nymphs-man I gotta hit the vise).

[flyfishmaster]

trout is right on this, you can't target them. But what I have had success with in the past is a 64th or 100th oz Yellow and Black Marabou jig. For some reason in farm ponds you can catch blue gill, bass, crappie and catfish using the same fly. There are times we have caught 4-5 catfish (ranging from 2 -8 lbs) the same day with that jig.

later,

FFM

[Guest kevinkirk]

VERY slow presetation seems to be the key. Have caught flatheads too on flies using streamers etc. They are scattered enough that targeting is hard unless you are at a creek where storm water is rushing in. Size for minnows in the area. But its hit and miss mostly. And yes, takes a heavy rod. We have started chasing stripers and wipers with flyrods now and what a rush that is. Heavy rods, big clousers and weighted lines work like a charm. But hang on, they will run you ragged below the dams where they are found.

[drew03cmc]

http://www.warmfly.com/index.php?option=co...mp;topic=1067.0

Try not to target catfish? HAHA...Tell that to this guy! He catches hundreds a year, on ONE pattern.

[flyfisheranonymous]

Thanks for those words drew. Looks like I have some high talking to make these guys believers. Well let's start with a face only Mama could love.

[Guest kevinkirk]

What a beautiful cat. I love to get them on as they fight to the bitter end then its a tail flapping shower for the fisherman. Got seven one afternoon in the fall standing in one spot with biggest 42 pounds and smallest 15. Is that a sculpin fly? We dont have those here. ? I read that is good there in missouri however? Are they hard to tie>?

[drew03cmc]

Not a problem Stu, by the way I am Andy Webb on warmfly.com. That is a DDH leech. I need to tie some of those up for over here at the spillway of the local lake.

[flyfisheranonymous]

Yep it is the DDH Leech. Easy fly to tie and it has caught numerous species of fish. Following is a list of fish this fly has taken.

Pike 41"

Walleye 28 1/2 inches

Sauger 18 3/4"

Carp 36"

Channel Cat 40"

Smallmouth Bass 22"

Rainbow 30 1/4"

Brown 27 3/4"

Brook 24"

Tiger 23 1/2"

Bigmouth Buffalo 35"

This fly has also taken Steelhead, Pacific Salomon, Bonefish, Snook, Peacock Bass, and a host of other fish.

Is it easy to tie? Yep. Tie on the eyes, add a marabou tail and a dubbed body and you got it.

[Danoinark]

I took the liberty to post this Stu....Dano

How to tie the leech.

Dano