Flies for whites...

[kjackson]

Since I'm pretty much under house arrest for a couple of months, I've got a burning urge to redo my fly gear and focus on pursuing whites this coming year.  But I'm new to the idea of using a fly rod for them, and I'm looking for guidance on flies.

I do know about Clousers and Wooly Buggers, so I'm after other patterns, sizes (what size WB?) and offbeat colors.  I have a ton of searun cutthroat flies and flies I tied for chum salmon, so I'd like to blend those in as well.  For instance, I have a bunch of Clousers, but they are mostly an inch and a bit long.  I imagine they will work when the shad are small but later...?

Thanks for the help.

[fishinwrench]

Here are the others that do all the damage for me. 

 

 

Hook sizes #6-#2  and 2"- 3.5" long.

 

[Flysmallie]

Clousers and wiggle minnows are all you need. 

[fishinwrench]

1 hour ago, Flysmallie said:

Clousers and wiggle minnows are all you need. 

80% of the time that's definitely true.

High murky water,  low clear water, or times when a really long cast is necessary to reach them is an exception.   Also anytime you need to cast into a tight spot or under low hanging limbs a different fly is sure good to have.....cuz let's face it, Clousers and Wiggle minnows  aren't known for their pinpoint accuracy or long range capability.   

I recall a couple times when the only fly I could cast far enough to reach them was a #4 standard deciever.   It wasn't the best fly to catch them on but it was the only fly I could cast far enough with. 

[Flysmallie]

1 hour ago, fishinwrench said:

80% of the time that's definitely true.

High murky water,  low clear water, or times when a really long cast is necessary to reach them is an exception.   Also anytime you need to cast into a tight spot or under low hanging limbs a different fly is sure good to have.....cuz let's face it, Clousers and Wiggle minnows  aren't known for their pinpoint accuracy or long range capability.   

I recall a couple times when the only fly I could cast far enough to reach them was a #4 standard deciever.   It wasn't the best fly to catch them on but it was the only fly I could cast far enough with. 

I agree. Just remember, you and I are not fishing the same kind of water most of the time. I only fish the spring run. You are out on open water kicking their posterior most of the year. One day I hope to be cool like you. 

[fishinwrench]

34 minutes ago, Flysmallie said:

One day I hope to be cool like you. 

On the coolness scale I think I'm on a downward spiral.   All of my old bass tournament buddies say that I've gone lame.    

I haven't gone lame......I just am too lazy to put in the time & effort to be able to routinely do THIS .....

 

These boys just haven't grown tired of the grind.... YET!  🙂

[snagged in outlet 3]

2 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

On the coolness scale I really wasn’t in the game to begin with.  All of my old bass tournament buddies say that I’m still lame.    

FIFY😁

[Flysmallie]

2 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

These boys just haven't grown tired of the grind.... YET!  🙂

That grind was a good time but some of us were looking for something different to scratch that itch. I won’t say I don’t miss that at times but I’m pretty happy lazily floating down a stream not being stressed out about putting 5 decent ones in the live well. 

[fishinwrench]

6 hours ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

FIFY😁

Here's the kicker though.......By the time that any of them had 2 keepers in the livewell that day,  I had already made twice the amount of money that the dude who won 1st place and big bass got. And BTW, I have his wife's pontoon sitting in my yard....and that bill has yet to be totalled up. 😂

So all coolness factors aside..... it's better to be a Wrench than it is to be a Hammer.  😉 

 

[snagged in outlet 3]

7 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

Here's the kicker though.......By the time that any of them had 2 keepers in the livewell that day,  I had already made twice the amount of money that the dude who won 1st place and big bass got. And BTW, I have his wife's pontoon sitting in my yard....and that bill has yet to be totalled up. 😂

So all coolness factors aside..... it's better to be a Wrench than it is to be a Hammer.  😉 

 

My point is I don’t think someone who pays to get in a tournament to barely win enough money to cover his nut for the tournament (much less actually make a living at it) is a so called hammer.   It’s laughable.   So every weekend golfer that pays to get in the local scramble is a pro golfer?  It’s a joke.   In my mind, you’re the hammer.