What is everyone’s experience with using a bubble and a fly on a spinning rod. I’m fairly new to fishing and am trying new things. I’ve been up to the dam on Blacksmith the past couple of days and have seen a lot of fish rising for flies. Is this something worth pursuing, do people have much luck with this technique? Any advice on how to properly execute this method is greatly appreciated. Thanks
-BB
**While a well balanced fly fishing outfit will allow you to present some patterns more effectively, under many conditions, it is still possible to fish flies with spinning gear. You can fish them with the old bubble and fly rig…on the bottom with sinkers…or even as droppers with spinners, jigs and crankbaits. **
I am PMing you a PDF writeup on how to rig and use flies with your spinning rod. As long as you know how to tie the knots and make good casts…and use the right flies…you should be good to go.
Now that someone seriously answered your question…get a fly rod…that spinning rod of yours will soon become a dust collector and scratch up your wall at home[;)]
I would love to get a fly rod. Problem is as a graduate student and mouths to feed, I have a hard time justifying throwing down the cash for the new gear. It is in my future though [:)]
25$ less than a pack of diapers or a school book =)
Can you PM me that .pdf too? I am curious.
I have both, a fly rod and spinning rods. I use the spinning rod a lot more.
Problem is, you get what you pay for in most cases. I do believe that people do switch back to the security of spinning when they have lacking fly gear.
Anything you can do with spinning you can do with fly gear (unless you are fishing over 100 feet deep)
If you are comfortable with spinning and money is tight, get a water bubble or casting bubble. Cheap! Then get the flies of choice
Here:
The ones recommending a fly rod still use spinning gear too, so take that for what it is worth.
I haven’t seen his write up but it’s really just about putting a water filled bubble on the line, tying on a swivel big enough to not go up inside the stem of the bubble. Then tie on 4 to 6 feet of line. Now for flies to use start with wooly buggers and go from there.
Where you are talking “rising” ?
Hello…
I come from the East were drift fishing with lite line and small gear is the norm from big Steelhead, so I use the same here in Utah… I use a Cortland rated for two pound test up to 10 pound. A Steelhead float, small barrel swivel and a two to four pound leader under the barrel. Please watch my video should help…
How is this method for rising fish?
TD im curious of this to, if possible can you send me the file to? ive been a unregistered reader for about 3 years.. im ready to learn some new tricks. Thanks
I just want to thank everyone for all of the great help. I went up to the dam on Blacksmith around 8:30 tonight. I was there for fourty minutes and caught three browns and missed hooking a couple others. I still have plenty to learn, but I was excited to get some success on this technique. Thanks again
BB
Welcome aboard. Your post is a good example of one good reason for registering and becoming an active member. A lot of us are getting more restrictive on what we post on the open forum but are happy to send it in a Private Message.
It’s on the way. Hope it helps.
fishing a fly and bubble with spinning rod is a very effective way to fish – even when trout are not surfacing.
It’s super simple too.
- Thread the bubble on your line, little end first.
- Tie on a swivel.
- Now, attach about 6ft of leader to the swivel using a “loop” knot.
- Tie on a fly.
- Fill your bubble according to how you want to fish.
5a. if fish are surfacing, fill your bubble half-way so that it floats. (or 3/4).
5b. if fishing sub-surface, fill the bubble full so that it sinks (slowly).
Reel slowly.
This is a great method, especially for kids. Typically, kids want to cast and reel – as opposed to bait fishing where they are expected sit patiently and wait for a bite. It’s also a great way for kids to learn how to cast. Finally, it’s a great method to catch fish – whether you’re a kid or an adult.
+1 PBH. Although not as “elegent” as the long rod, the fly & bubble can be very effective. I used to fish this way alot from shore at places like Flaming Gorge, Scofield, and Otter Creek. The fly of choice was usually a size 6 Double Renegade. We would fill the bubble all the way up and reel slowly. The fly would be down around 6 feet or so. In the Fall especially we would slay the big rainbows with this method.
While I was fishing in the video there were fish rising everywhere, so I know it works well as long as you match the nymph they want…
Now that someone seriously answered your question…get a fly rod…that spinning rod of yours will soon become a dust collector and scratch up your wall at home… unless you actually want to catch fish[;)]
Fixed it for ya Tyedye 
I had less luck with this method at Logan river walk. Two hits out of an active deep pool. Tried keeping it on top with a dry fly then some corked floating flies. Still nada. Didn’t try any attractor flies like the double renegade. Will try it next. in-line spinners produce well there so mostly sticking with that. Water is way down so options are getting limited.
Hornet