Pistol Petes for trout and more.

I went fishing about a month ago. Worden’s Rooster Tails, Wooly Buggers and Pistol Petes.  2 were caught on a black Bugger and the other was a yellow polka dot Rooster Tail.  Generally, I use a fly rod for my Pistol Petes.  My “go-to” is a black Wooly Bugger on the fly rod.  Pistol Petes are my #2 fly pattern for trout.  Generally for my spinning rod.

Spinning Rod

I use a split shot. about 4 inches from the Pistol Pete or Bugger.  Sometimes, I use a swivel.  I just started using them last year.  Don’t know why it took so long.  You could substitute the swivel for the split shot.  I also do this with my Rooster Tails.  I like them to stay down and depending on your retrieve, it can bring up the Pistol Pete in the water column.  I do use a peg cork to indicate nibbles and bites.  Sometimes, I use a start and stop retrieval.  At times, I also wait to reel in the fly just to give fish a chance to check things out. Since I use a lead weight and peg cork, I rarely use casting bubbles.  It wouldn’t hurt to use one.

When tying Pistol Petes, some use lead wire for more weight.  I do too.  

Lakes - I just cast out where they may be.  Sometimes, walking the bank, I cover as much water as possible.  Never hanging out too king in one spot.  My retrieval rates vary.  Slower on warmer days.

Tailwaters - It won’t hurt to drift the Pistol Pete.  Trout tend to use as little as energy as possible when feeding.  Cast and reel how you feel.  Get that fly down when you can.

Warmwater species - On lakes, ponds and creek: cast however you want and vary retrievals and utilize water column as you see fit.  

Fly rod

For trout, I mainly use a 5 wgt with WF floating line.  I use size 6, 8 and 10 Pistol Petes.  When fishing for Smallies and warmwater species, I mostly use a 6 wgt rod.

Lakes - I strip slowly.  I take my time and feel for the nibbles.

Tailwaters - I don’t use this on tailwaters but it won’t hurt to try it.  I would drift it and then strip it in.  Wait until you’ve drifted before stripping.

Warmwater species - On lakes, ponds and creek: cast however you want and vary retrievals and utilize water column as you see fit.

Notes:

Use different colors.  Utilize the water column.  Use casting bubbles, peg corks, weights OR don’t.  Try different retrievals and don’t stick with unproductive water.  Save money and tie your own Pistol Petes.  They sure aren’t cheap.  In the 2nd photo, you may notice a jig or “jig Bugger”.  I tied that one and have caught trout on it.  I not only cast jigs with a spinning rod but also a fly rod.  The Pistol Petes were also tied by me.  You can find lots of tying videos on YouTube.

I’ve got a warmwater Pistol Pete post here.  https://purposehere.blogspot.com/2012/08/pistol-pete-thanks-for-reassurance.html?m=1

My Fly Tying Books: Flies for Bass & Panfish - Dick Stewart and Farrow Allen

I am going to share some of the books that have helps me to develop a fly tire and as a fly fisher.  Some can be found at new or use bookstores or somewhere online.  You might have to do some digging around.  I find my books anywhere from Digital downloads to Flea markets.

This was given to me by my father and my first fly tying/reference book.  This was before fly tying had tell off on social media.  It was when you either had to find a blog or message boards.  Maybe even find some like minded folks in groups such as on Geocities.  

Warmwater fly fishing groups could be found but were rare.  You could find a few generic fly groups out there too but what I specifically wanted was definitely niche at the time.

To find warmwater fly fishing and fly tying books, you had to find them at a fly shops, outdoor stores, magazine advertisements, or publisher adverts in the back of books.

There were even a few VHS tapes and DVD’s but they were specially for bass bugs or largemouth bass.  Which is good but folks were catching all sorts of warmwater variety of spices.  Myself included.

These photos are from Flies for Bass & Panfish.  Out of respect of the authors,  I’m not sharing too much else other than photos or maybe a “mention”.

I do prefer warmwater species.  They are not numerous where I live them coo poop of water fish.  And what cold water species you can find here, the more crowded the location.  The patterns I’m sharing from this book are those which I’ve used in the past with success.

This is the Cajun Coachman.  It’s a good pattern for panfish.  I didn’t use this pattern until a few years after I was given the book.  It wasn’t until I learned more about its creator Tom Nixon and bought his book (Fly Fishing and Fly Tying fort Bass and Panfish) and participated in a few memorial fly swaps named after him.  

You can drift or strip this pattern.  It’s a nymph or attractor pattern.  I utilized this pattern mostly on creeks specifically targeting bluegills but catching all sorts of species of fish.  I mostly wade fish but also use a kayak on lakes and ponds.  It won’t hurt to have this pattern in your fly box.

This is the Holschlag Hackle Fly.  Sadly its creator passed a year or two ago.  Tim wrote a good book or two about fly fishing for Smallmouth bass.  It’s tied on a jig head or even weighted eyes.  I used it on a 1/16 oz jig.  I even use 1/8 but only when using at least a 6 wgt rod.  I mainly drift this pattern in deep or swift riffles.  I haven’t used it in a lake or pii I no but think it will produce for multiple species of fish.  It’s this color.  Brown with red or orange jig or eyes.  I’ve made this a mainstay in my fly box for Smallies.

This is the Calcasieu Pigboat which was created by Tom Nixon.  Calcasieu is the parish where he lived and fished. Pigboat is slang for U-boats or German submarines.  It was made to imitate the Hawaiian Wiggler which is the predecessor to spinner baits or even jig baits.  I’ve caught largemouth bass with this pattern.  My father too.  You can even attach a spinner blade.  I’ve done it.  You can tie these in many different colors.

This is the White Serpent.  I guess this could imitate a pig-and-jig?  There are some imitations or evolutions of these 2 Tom Nixon patterns.  Some utilize microsuede or action tails.  I’ve tied my PigBoats with  rubber legs for tails or rabbit strip.  Many variations can be made of these two patterns.

These patterns I’ve shared with you are just a few of the many flies which I’ve utilized from this book - Flies for Bass & Panfish by Dick Stewart and Farrow Allen.  Hope this title may one day help you catch fish or fulfill your fly tying hobby.

Feel free to ask any question in the Comments.