Growing the sport of fly fishing.

 

It used to be that when someone had something to say about fly fishing it was because they were being helpful.  Nowadays with social media and various forms of media in fly fishing, folks have something to say just because they have something to say.

I got that first line off of a podcast.  One of the reasons I started a blog was to help people and to receive feedback that would aid my growth as a fly fisherman.  Community, if you will.  Before Facebook and the such, online forums and groups had many a folk helping aother anglers.  People were eager to share patterns and angling techniques.  I even learned about Bertram’s Bass way back in a forum.  The online fly fishing community was about helping other folks.  People such as myself wanted to learn about more bluegill and panfish patterns.  There were some books and patterns and the local shop but there were so many more flies “recipes” online.  And photos - lots of photos of flies and fish.  Pictures to prove the patterns worked.  Buy and Sell categories appeared.  Sites popped up such as for warmwater angling.  

There is still a sense of community online.  Even if it is mostly through social media.  I’ve made a few friends through social media.  Even had lunch and done some lawn casting.  Also, fishing and planning of future outings.  Some friendships stick and some don’t work out.  That’s just the way it is.  Not everyone clicks.

Here’s something I’ll share with you.  It doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg to start fly fishing.  It’s not a snooty, upper crust sport anymore.  There are so many folks j joining of fly fishing.  It’s more laid back and less traditional than ever.  I buy gear off of eBay.  I’m not saying go that route.  It doesn’t hurt to speak with someone at the Bass Pro, Cabela’s or the local fly shop about gear.  In the photo, you’ll see an old fly reel from the late 40’s or early 50’s.  It’s bullet proof.  I’ve got Ocean City reels and they didn’t cost much.  I purchased them both on eBay.  I’ve even bought 2 reels at a pawn shop and did a straight trade there for another one.  

Anyways, grow the sport in your own way.

Vintage Fly Rod - Berkley Spartan

 

Seven years ago, I bought this rod on eBay. I really like this model and even rebuilt one. I also have the Talisman which is the same thing. I did strip the Talisman down and probably need to do a second coat of Citristrip. I haven’t fished a Spartan in a few years. The green rod is the Talisman that I stripped down to the tobacco blanks. I was thinking of using my rebuilt Cortland 502 a lot more . It was the first rod I ever built (rebuilt). It’s been about 4 years since it’s seen action. But I also love the action of these Spartans of which I have a few. The older Spartan models. Not the stiff Taiwan models.   Conflicted. May use both but I do know that the Rio Bass line is perfect for loading on the Spartan. Planning out my year. Almost time to hit the creeks for wet wading. I have retuned to work in January. Had my knee replacement late September. I was semi-retired but things have changed. As they have for a lot of folks these days. I no longer hop in the truck and rush off to fish whenever I get the urge. It’s nice to make these plans. Makes one appreciate it more. I’ll have the summer off.   Anyways, thinking of taking out the Spartan and not only targeting warm water species but specifically chasing Chubs. Lots of fun when you hook the fat ones. I’ve done some bank fishing but am looking forward to seeing how well I can wade and balance myself when wade fishing on this knee replacement. The tuna can will be replaced with either and Ocean City or another Martin. Just depends on the needs of the day. More Spartan reports to come. Thanks for reading.

Fly fishing for Longear Sunfish.

 

I like fishing with fiberglass spinning and fly rods.  Like this old Fenwick.

I also like to catch those pretty sunfish.  Especially, those Longears.  I did target them. Few times this year.  I was able to land a few.  My step-mother filled a stringer with a black wooly bugger.  Me on the creeks and her on a lake in her canoe.  

Over twenty years ago and after moving to the states, I encountered my first Longears on headwaters of the Ozark mountains.  On lakes and ponds, I’d caught panfish and not paid too much attention to the species.  However, I did notice these Longears.  I’ve seen hybrids and all sorts of neat panfish and I surely enjoy catching them but it’s maybe the tropical colors that get me.  Not to mention these Buggers (and other panfish) can be so darn challenging to catch.  

For some reason, I immediately fell in love with fishing for panfish on creeks.  A number of panfish and warmwater books help fill the outdoor selections on my shelf. I try add and subtract a fish flies all the time.  Some hang out in the fly boxes for a while longer than others but I’m always changing the patterns.  It’s fun that way.  Just like rods.  I like to try different rods too.

Targeting:

I do fish Longears when on their beds.  That is so hard but so fun.  Also, I drift flies where fish will take cover.  Aquatic grasses, rocks, builders, fallen trees and brambles.  Even ledges.  One year, I found a bunch that would come out and pop my fly when I would drift it or strip it.  I caught so many fat ones from under the limestone ledge on the headwaters of a tributary stream of a much larger watershed.  I guess it’s just been luck.  I do find them in the usual spots.  Recon will give them up and they tend to hang out in the same places year after year.  A good spot for me is an area not within the current and where there is shade . Mostly shallow.  I’ll see them creep out and look at my flies.  Or, pounce.  I don’t catch many in lakes but I don’t fish them much.  My step-mother caught quite a few from a canoe.  She casted her black wooly bugger along the bank and filled some stringers.  I do think they were rocky bank ledges and sandy shallows with pebbles.  I do think a weighted fly helps.  Something that will sink and can be twitched.  Sometimes, you have to catch a few of the other species which are intermingled with Longears.  Such as warmouth.  Patience is needed.  Sometimes, not.  

PATTERNS:

As my fly boxes change, so do my blog posts.  Here is what I’ve most recently been using to target those Longears.

Rio Getter

Brasshawk

Bugger

Panfish Charlie 

Carp-it Bomb

MY RETIRED PATTERNS:

Jeremiah Nymph Two

California Coachman

Cajun Coachman

Black and Yellow

Custom yellow nymph/streamer 

Scuds

Midges 

RODS:

Light action rods are good.  Anything 1-3 weight but 4 is good too.  Even a 5 is okay but you don’t want fast action or you won’t enjoy the fight.

Hope you enjoy the post.  I’m gonna make an entry sometime about an Ozarks Fly Box.