Float-N-Fly Primer March 4 2020

[Champ188]

Bill, from a professional editor, that's the best of many, many articles you've done here over the years. And for free, no less. 

Wonderful narrative and perfectly illustrated with your great pics.

I can't emphasize enough to every member here the value of what Bill contributes to this forum. Not only does he frequently share his own lifetime of experience on the Rock, but he passes on the knowledge of probably the best fisherman/guide to ever fish this lake. It's a great tribute to Bill Beck for his brother in arms to continue to share his rich knowledge on OAF. 

[Bill Babler]

9 hours ago, mmirg said:

Thanks I've wondered what the float and fly was all about.  Would that cork and a bobber stop work?

No, It won't work.  It's been tried multiple times on all the float n fly lakes  No go on the bobber stop.  You can't get a 1/16 oz. jig to pull 12 plus feet of line thru a float, to much friction with the line laying on the water.  My article is pretty much a tried and true technique if you want to fish like that.   

 

Thanks James

[JUNGLE JIM 1]

Great article and instructions are easy to follow. I've been making them since the early 90's using either the craft hair version that you showed with the phat fly or using mallard or gadwall flank feathers and it's my favorite bait. I make them in sizes from 1/64-1/8 and they are deadly on everything. My biggest largemouth, crappie and bluegill were caught using them, but slab crappie can't resist them. I've caught 10's of thousands of fish since I started using them and fish them all 12 months of the year fishing rivers, lakes and ponds around Saint Louis where I live. Most of the places I fish are shallow, seldom over 8 foot deep so I just use a weighted fixed float with the f&f. If I could only use one bait this would be it.

[Bill Babler]

It  is really odd here on Table Rock, but in speaking with fellow fishermen that have fished this method for years in standing timber on most every bluff end and channel swing point, none of us have ever caught but a short handful of crappie on it.  Just strange.  I know we don't have a ton of crappie here but you would think in 100's of hours fishing a 1/16 oz jig you might luck into one.  

Both Bill Beck and Bill Richie never caught a single crappie as we discussed it many times.  I think I caught 2 one day in back to back casts and that is the only ones I remember

Caught plenty of crappie on a jerk bait in the same areas.  Have caught a couple of gills, but that's it other than bass.  If anyone here has caught a crappie on the Rock with the float and fly let us know.

[bferg]

Bill this is so great.  Thanks again for all you contribute here.

 

Question for you: Have you ever tried an actual clouser minnow for the fly?  

[Bill Babler]

Have not but it would probably work

[snagged in outlet 3]

3 minutes ago, Bill Babler said:

Have not but it would probably work

I was wondering if you could use a fly rod.  

[Bill Babler]

I'm going to try a 10' 8 wt. and see.

[Jaguar 97]

Thanks Bill for this information 👍. I've been wanting to try it but didn't know how to start or how to do it. Most would not share info like this. I just ordered some fly's. Thanks again for sharing.

[dtrs5kprs]

Dang, I miss having breakfast with Bill Richey at Ma's. Taught me a ton about the old puddle.