Simply The Best Panfish Fly

[David Unnerstall]

OK so I am going with this fly fishing thing. But I am not near trout water. This property I bought is between the Black and St. Francis Rivers so I have to fish for smallmouth. This is excellent information on types of flies and I appreciate it. But is there any advice one can give on presentation and technique?

[fishinwrench]

OK so I am going with this fly fishing thing. But I am not near trout water. This property I bought is between the Black and St. Francis Rivers so I have to fish for smallmouth. This is excellent information on types of flies and I appreciate it. But is there any advice one can give on presentation and technique?

For panfish, or Smallies ?

[mic]

For panfish in shallower water... I don't use a leader. I tie on a five foot piece of four pound clear line. I cast to the spot and let it sink watching the tip of the fly line for movement. If nothing I'll finger twist the fly line a little. If no action, I'll try again or move to the next spot. For deeper water, I will tie on a couple of feet of two pound test to the four or to the hook of the first fly. If there is some top water action, I tie on a beatle or hopper, and drop the fly.

Really can't speak to Smallies, but I've caught everything under the sun with this technique. Send me an IM if you want to go out sometime. I'll bring the flies if you have the spots.

[stlfisher]

I too like the rubber legs on anything including the pheasant tail and Hare's Ear. I like the size 10, but agree visibility is a must the smaller you go. I tie something similar, but much uglier than wrenches pattern and it works both under an indicator and slowly stripping it. I like simple small foam hopper's not to bulky for topwater.

[David Unnerstall]

For panfish in shallower water... I don't use a leader. I tie on a five foot piece of four pound clear line. I cast to the spot and let it sink watching the tip of the fly line for movement. If nothing I'll finger twist the fly line a little. If no action, I'll try again or move to the next spot. For deeper water, I will tie on a couple of feet of two pound test to the four or to the hook of the first fly. If there is some top water action, I tie on a beatle or hopper, and drop the fly.

Really can't speak to Smallies, but I've caught everything under the sun with this technique. Send me an IM if you want to go out sometime. I'll bring the flies if you have the spots.

Thanks Mic that is good information.

[David Unnerstall]

For panfish, or Smallies ?

It did not occur to me to clarify. The post is about panfish but I guess I am asking about both.