Flies for whites?

[kjackson]

I realize there is a fly forum, but this site seems to get more action, so...with a 20-degree temperature drop in the last 45 minutes, I'm thinking it's well past time to drag out the fly-tying gear.  I want to re-start my fly fishing and fly tying after a long hiatus.  I've done some web browsing but down't really have a good idea of the best flies and sizes for whites.  I've got a bunch of small Clousers from my days of fishing for searun cutthroat, but I'm wondering if I should go bigger. 

Also-- does it matter to the fish about eye placement on a Clouser?  Forward position provides a jigging motion on retrieve, and by moving the eyes toward the bend you get more of a level glide.

So...my questions:  What are the best sizes? What colors besides white and chartreuse should I have in the box?  What other patterns besides Clousers?

Thanks.

[fishinwrench]

Oh boy, good topic!

I've experimented with eye placement on Clousers and came to the conclusion that it really doesn't matter, just decide on what looks best to you and keep them all consistent.  The truly important thing is attaching them to the tippet with a no-slip loop knot. 

In the spring up in the creeks I like a #6 with a 1/50oz dumbbell eye fished on a mono/flouro leader.  In the Fall out over the flats I step it up to a #4 with 1/40oz. eyes and fish it on a sink tip or sinking leader.  

Chart/white is a consistent killer everywhere and almost all the time, but sometimes (ultra clear water) gray/white gets more bites.   Pink/white is excellent in dirty water, and Blk/chart is good in chocolate milk water like right after a spring flood.    

I'll discuss other patterns in a later post if you really want to get me all fired up about it.  

[snagged in outlet 3]

Chart/white.  Blue/white, grey/white, olive/white

[grizwilson]

I can not believe you are sharing the no-slip loop knot right here in open forum..... next thing you know he will find out a couple strands of flash help on sunny days, or a strand of purple between the gray and white works on cloudy days/dusk/dawn.....good thing it is hidden over here in this topic.....LOL ready to catch EM!  

[kjackson]

2 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

Oh boy, good topic!

I've experimented with eye placement on Clousers and came to the conclusion that it really doesn't matter, just decide on what looks best to you and keep them all consistent.  The truly important thing is attaching them to the tippet with a no-slip loop knot. 

In the spring up in the creeks I like a #6 with a 1/50oz dumbbell eye fished on a mono/flouro leader.  In the Fall out over the flats I step it up to a #4 with 1/40oz. eyes and fish it on a sink tip or sinking leader.  

Chart/white is a consistent killer everywhere and almost all the time, but sometimes (ultra clear water) gray/white gets more bites.   Pink/white is excellent in dirty water, and Blk/chart is good in chocolate milk water like right after a spring flood.    

I'll discuss other patterns in a later post if you really want to get me all fired up about it.  

Fire away!  Considering your stringer shots of the White Pride Parade got me distracted from the bluegill-popper thoughts I've been having, I could use more ideas.  Looking at the weather over the next week, I'm thinking I might as well limber up the vise.

[Dutch]

I am not a fly fisherman but I do a lot of white bass fishing.  Over the years fishing Table Rock, Stockton, Pomme de Terre and Bull Shoals for whites I have used a lot of color combinations.  I am using jigs but I imagine that the color schemes should be close.  I carry at least 20 different color combinations when I am strictly fishing for whites. 

Any color can work on a given day.  For example,  I put together a lime and lavender jig one day and nearly puked looking at that ugly beast.  I fished it at Pom for 2 hours with narry a smell.  I put it down and didn't use it the rest of the day.  The second day I started out with it and after an hour the guy in the front of the boat was asking if I had any extra as I was giving him a severe beat down that it.

My theory is show them something that they haven't seen before and you may get a pleasant surprise.

[BillT]

How long do you make the Clouser?  I know Whites seem to have a preference to bait fish lengths, so is that the overall length they are tied to?

[BilletHead]

Orange /chartreuse,  Pink/white and others too. Someone shared the non slip mono loop? For shame, for shame! Can't believe it!   On the smaller size generally, sparse tie this being said one early spring day I had a screaming day on a four to five inch half and half gray over white clouser! Don't tell it had some long bright silver flash in it. A big sow type of day ,

BilletHead

[fishinwrench]

1 hour ago, kjackson said:

Fire away!  Considering your stringer shots of the White Pride Parade got me distracted from the bluegill-popper thoughts I've been having, I could use more ideas.  Looking at the weather over the next week, I'm thinking I might as well limber up the vise.

Greg Coffey's Sparkleminnow is a good one to have in your box when they get tired of looking at Clousers 

Big water pushers like the Dahlberg Flashdancer 

Or Bulkhead Deciever 

Don't get caught from early Summer thru late Fall without a few Crease fly's, they do double duty.  Great on top....and even better fished on a sink tip.

3 1/2" long Fur strip muddlers are wicked good 

Murdich Minnow's are killer when a little more flash is desired 

 

That should keep you busy for awhile.

 

Awe, look how cute he was! 

 

 

[fishinwrench]

Don't forget the good old Lefty's Deciever for those times when the only thing that matters is being able to cast A LONG WAYS.   

Cuz you can cast a Deciever further than anything, and they will eat it during a blitz.