Now available online … AMflyfishing Tandem Perch Fly Rigs

click here to purchase direct

 
* rig includes - tandem flies, barrel swivel and snap swivel

> Pond Hopping on the Fly

Weather Conditions – 77 degrees F, 8 to 10 mph southwest winds, clear sky
Water Conditions – 69 degrees F (shoreline), clear, normal water level

Ventured out with the 4-weight to the local pond for 1-1/2 hours and hammered the bluegills … 11 bluegills ranging from 6 to 7 inches and 2 bass.  The ticket was slowly working a Cap Spider (1/124 ounce, black body with hot chartreuse butt) along the bottom in 2 to 4 feet of water.    With the water temperature in upper 60’s and stable weather conditions … it’s definitely time to prime time for panfish action.

Late Saturday evening, Rick and I had the grandchildren out fishing … definitely, a great time being together and watching them land the panfish and catfish.

> Targeting trophy trout or bass … tie-on a streamer
Big fish eat little fish.  Whether fly fishing a stream, river, pond or lake there will always be minnows and fish fry present (with the predominant season for fish fry being the spring).  In other words, the “hatch” is always on when you’re fishing streamers.

Besides availability, fish are indiscriminate feeders and will eat what is presented to them.  Also, they are masters of energy conservation and expenditure.  They will not pursue food if it costs them more energy to catch than they will receive from its consumption.  A minnow that they only have to lunge for, is an opportunity they won’t often resist … a lot of energy consumed without a lot of energy exerted.

A little action imparted by your rod tip, can help convince your targeted trophy that the minnow is injured, increasing the strike potential.  Vary the tempo of the retrieve, using short bursts followed by a count of two or three of idleness … can draw their interest to strike your streamer.

One of my favorite streamer for targeting trout and bass is the Clouser Minnow.  Check-out the Fly Recipes section for other productive streamers patterns.

Jig Head – #10, 1/124 ounce
Thread – Black
Butt – Chartreuse floss
Body – Black rabbit dubbing
Legs – Black rubber, small (4 per side)

Jig Head – #10, 1/124 ounce
Thread – Olive, 8/0
Butt – Chartreuse floss
Body – Brown rabbit dubbing
Legs – Black rubber, small (4 per side)

Whether using a centerpin or conventional fishing outfit, Redwing Tackle’s Blackbird Phantom hard body floats are an excellent choice when targeting salmon and steelhead on Northwest Indiana’s Lake Michigan tributaries … in both, clear or off-colored water conditions.  These one piece, clear strike indicators are designed and built for optimum sensitivity and drag free drift presentation for fishing current seams …along with being easily adjustable (2 piece silicone stop setup), highly visibility and durable.  2 floats and 4 silicone stops per pack.

Recommended float sizes for our water systems, Phantom 4.0      3-7/8 inch length       4 grams Phantom 6.0      3-7/8 inch length       6 grams Phantom 7.0      4-1/8 inch length       7 grams Blackbird Phantom floats are available at Slez’s Bait & Tackle Shops … Slez goes to great lengths to keep them in stock.  25+ years, servicing the local angler’s live bait and tackle needs.