02-07-2006, 05:11 PM
[cool][#0000ff]Bluegills are pretty "democratic". When they are active, it is harder to find something they won't hit than something they will. Obviously, there will be some that work better than others. But, it is seldom a case of "match the hatch".[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Almost any small, dark pattern will work. They are opportunistic feeders and anything that looks buggy will get bit. Hares' ears are a universal favorite with 'gill hunters. Any good mayfly or damselfly nymph will work too. And, since 'gills eat minnows as well as invertebrates, anything that resembles fish fry will get their attention.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]One of my all around favorite flies for almost all species is the Silver Hilton...a steelhead fly from the Northwest. (see pic). On Pelican Lake, I have had hundred fish days in the spring on this pattern, while taking a fair number of decent sized bass on the same size 10, 8 and 6 flies.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]By the way, I once won a bet on Willard Bay by catching a limit of channel cats on silver hiltons within an hour.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Another great bluegill fly is the renegade. Save the ones that get chewed up by trout and serve them to the bluegills. They don't care whether they float or sink. If the fish are cruising shallow and looking up, they will sip dries. If not they will take them anywhere between top and bottom.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Probably the biggest thing with fishing bluegills where you can't see the take is being able to feel them. I point the rod right at the unseen fly and strip in short strips, holding the line. Whenever I feel the little tick, of a 'gill sucking in the fly, I pull back with the stripping hand. If I feel any resistance I raise the rod. Game on.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Nothing subtle about most of the other warm water species. Usually a solid thump when they hit the flies. A big channel cat will sometimes haul down hard and try to take the rod away from you.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Almost any small, dark pattern will work. They are opportunistic feeders and anything that looks buggy will get bit. Hares' ears are a universal favorite with 'gill hunters. Any good mayfly or damselfly nymph will work too. And, since 'gills eat minnows as well as invertebrates, anything that resembles fish fry will get their attention.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]One of my all around favorite flies for almost all species is the Silver Hilton...a steelhead fly from the Northwest. (see pic). On Pelican Lake, I have had hundred fish days in the spring on this pattern, while taking a fair number of decent sized bass on the same size 10, 8 and 6 flies.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]By the way, I once won a bet on Willard Bay by catching a limit of channel cats on silver hiltons within an hour.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Another great bluegill fly is the renegade. Save the ones that get chewed up by trout and serve them to the bluegills. They don't care whether they float or sink. If the fish are cruising shallow and looking up, they will sip dries. If not they will take them anywhere between top and bottom.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Probably the biggest thing with fishing bluegills where you can't see the take is being able to feel them. I point the rod right at the unseen fly and strip in short strips, holding the line. Whenever I feel the little tick, of a 'gill sucking in the fly, I pull back with the stripping hand. If I feel any resistance I raise the rod. Game on.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Nothing subtle about most of the other warm water species. Usually a solid thump when they hit the flies. A big channel cat will sometimes haul down hard and try to take the rod away from you.[/#0000ff]
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