Fly Fishing?

[Greasy B]

Greasy, do the bass really spook that easy? I mean, we through worms, cranks, spinnerbaits, and all other kinds of plop and splash lures and we still catch fish. I find it hard to believe a smaller, lighter size 4-6 fly would spook a smallie more than a texas rigged worm.

Yea, I don’t think it makes much difference what hits the water, hardware or fly. The first time the bait hits the water it’s an object of curiosity to the fish. When a fly fisher picks up the bait and slaps it down repeatedly it’s not likely to do anything but put the fish down. On the small stream I float and fish just wading or drifting in a canoe I often herd the fish down the length of a pool, when I have pushed them to the end they’ll bolt pass me to seek refuge in the deeper parts behind me. I call the area near me or my boat the spook zone. When the water is low and clear it’s all you can do to cast beyond the spook zone. When a fly fisher picks up his cast and lays it down repeatedly he is just increasing the size of his spook zone. I think the trick for a fly fisher is to either move very slow, casting only occasionally in the most likely spots or use a riffle or maybe wind driven waves to conceal his presence. Hardware throwers a have the advantage of being able to throw a long enough cast to reach beyond the spook zone.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I always found that as the summer goes on and creeks get more clear and shallow many fish will get spooky. They have to survive more critters than just us and they tend to know when they're vulnerable. I agree with Greasy that it's best to be subtle.

A technique that should always be tried is one of doing nothing. Make you cast to a seam, with cover close is better, and then just let it drift downstream.

[TSmith]

Went fishing a few days ago and only caught a bunch ok these (sunfish)

they were the only thing hitting my poppers. I popped them by cover and let them drift. No bass just the sunfish. Im going to try and get a variety of different lures for smallies and try it out some time this week (work depending). Thanks for the advice. Ill post what I buy and my results and hopefully some pics!

[TSmith]

Well I finally made it out to a store and I bought an assortment of wooly buggers. I'm thinking that I'll have more luck with the ones that are weighted on the front, because Iv been fishing with jig heads and catching a TON of smallies on them. I have plans to head out Wednesday morning an try my luck. Just really hoping for a good fight on the fly rod.

[Wayne SW/MO]

The wooly bugger is a timeless favorite.

[TSmith]

Went fishing today with the wooly bugger, and here is a picture of my first smallie on a fly rod...

I bought an assortment of wooly buggers. I have to say that I really like how the fly is weighted slightly. What other fly lures are weighted like this?

[RSBreth]

There's a bunch of weighted flies like that but a weighted wooly in different colors is sometimes all you need.

I like Clouser Minnows, but there are tons of new flies out there - just depends on if you want to order them or try to get the local places to carry them.

Feather-craft warmwater flies

[Wayne SW/MO]

A collection of Wooly Buggers, Clouser Minnows and something like a Foxee Red clouser or Crazy Dad will take you a long way.

[2sheds]

Hey TSmith,

Most fly fishermen prefer the topwater flies (poppers, dry flies, et al) when fish are hitting them because the action is so viceral. However, when fish aren't biting topwater, they are almost certainly feeding subsurface (year round), so its great to add those to your arsenal.

To answer your last question - Lots of flys come in a weighted version. These are often called nymphs (intended to be fished under the surface, often using a strike indicator to help establish a smooth drift). Some nymphs have lead wire wraps under the body material. Others use a weighted tungsten bead at the head, but you need to check to ensure that the bead is not a lightweight decorative (glass or plastic). Heavier weight helps you get deep where the current is fast.

Wooly boogers are a classic. Personal favorites include maribou jig, prince nymph, pheasant tail nymph, and copper john, but there are many others. The fly tying forum of Ozark Anglers gives examples and discussions.

The further you get into this, the more fun there is to be had.