Fly Fishing Striper on Beaver

[Phil Lilley]

Bill Butts is a friend from Springfield that is an avid fly/striper angler. He directed me to add a forum just on the temperate bass family with an emphasis on fly fishing which he is hosting. I think we all will learn alot about this sport from Bill and others like jay bird.

The only fly/striper fishing I've done was years ago below Texhoma Dam in the Red River.

[jay bird]

In response to the question about gear (type of rod, line, etc). This is what I think you will need, and if any one has any other opinions please put them in. A fast 8 weight rod (at least) with a large arbor reel, a ton of backing, and plently of juice in the trolling motor. For line I just used straight 14# maxximum, or stren easy cast. The couple of small fish I caught ( 8#s or so) pulled me all over the lake, took me to my backing 2-3 times, and then went straight to the bottom in 45 ft. of water. This is salt-water quality fishing close to home. I am not sure how I am going to get a big one in if I hook up, but I am sure going to have fun trying.

PS Tape all of your clets, or anything in the boat that line can snag on. I am going to try some type of line bucket/pail this year. With stripping you tend to have a bunch of line at your feet and if one hits short not only are you going to have burnt fingers, but old Murphy tends to have the line snag on anything and everything.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Do you use large streamers for the most part?

I've seen a usable stripping basket made from a plastic tub and a belt.

[jay bird]

Yea mostly clousers, decivers, salt water flies. I will try to get some pictures posted some time. Go to Blue Fly cafe they have a good selection of salt water type flies.

[Bill Butts]

OK...I think everybody can't wait to try this, but. I am guessing you can't use a 5 wt. to fish for stripers.

My brother and I have been wanting to give this a shot.

Fly rod size? What size, do you use a spey rod?

Lines to use?

Flies?

Are their any guides on Beaver who specialize in this area?

Did anybody else get giddy when this topic was started?

Russ,

You will find some suggested tackle guidelines on the FlyTackle topic in the Striper Family category Phil mentioned. How about reading it and then ask all the additional questions you want?

Two additional things that I didn't put in my comments are:

When guys talk about fly size you may get the idea that the bigger the fly you use the bigger the fish you'll catch. That is not true. The fish, all 3 striper species, will key on a school of shad that are generally the same size. Lakes south of the MO/AR line will usually have both Threadfin and Gizzard Shad available to the gamefish of the lake. Therefore, the size of shad the stripers feed on could be very small, 1 to 3" or much larger 4 to 6+". It is important to arm yourself will a full size range of flies. Note I did mention hook sizes because the length of the fly is the key. But, be sure you use very high quality strong hooks like Tiemcos, Gamas, or the saltwater Mustads, and touch up the hook points to keep them needle sharp always. I mash the barbs down on all mine, too.

The one guide on Beaver I am familiar with and would suggest you contact is Bink at Bink's Guide Service.

His site is www.binksguideservice.com He is one of the few on that lake who specialize in artificials only and doesn't deep troll. If you don't fish the lake regularly, 2-4 times a week, then the help of a guide that does is paramount to success specifically for stripers or hybrids.

Hope this helps you.

Check out the Striper Family topics.

Bill Butts

[Bill Butts]

OK...I think everybody can't wait to try this, but. I am guessing you can't use a 5 wt. to fish for stripers.

My brother and I have been wanting to give this a shot.

Fly rod size? What size, do you use a spey rod?

Lines to use?

Flies?

Are their any guides on Beaver who specialize in this area?

Did anybody else get giddy when this topic was started?

Russ,

With respect to my previous post, I'm sorry I gave you a guide on Norfork not Beaver.

However, please do read my posts in the Striper Family topics and let me know what further questions you develop.

For Beaver, I suggest you call Todd or Michael at McLellans Fly Shop in Fayetteville.

They keep a pretty good thumb on current fishing, fish for stripers/hybrids themselves, and are really good guys.

Are you located close to Beaver Lake?

If not, I could probably make some other suggestions for you, too.

Let me know.

Thanks.

[jay bird]

Here is the fly that worked the best for me last year.

Lets try a little bigger