The other day, a friend who is new to fly fishing asked, "What is the best fly to use to catch bluegills in ponds?"

My reply, "I don't think there is a single fly - but the Foam Fly, Teeny Nymph and Beadhead Pheasant Tail Nymph are solid producers and allows me to fish on or below the surface."

Panfish are sight feeders therefore the size and color of the fly are important.  Panfish flies should range from a size 8 to size 14.  I have found that nymphs tied with natural colors produce consistently and larger fish.

The insect base, water conditions (temperature, clarity, rising or falling water levels), weather conditions, depth of the water and structure being fished should dictate your fly selection.

The majority of my fly fishing for panfish is with a 3-weight rod (7-foot 10-inch) with weight-forward floating line and an 8-foot tapered leader with a 4X or 5X tippet.  This combination doesn't overpower the fish and allows me to cast these flies smoothly and accurately.  When nymphing, I do not use an indicator - learn to watch the tip of the fly line, it will indicate when the fish inhales the fly.

The Foam Fly, Teeny Nymph and Beadhead Pheasant Tail Nymph are not difficult patterns to tie.

 Foam Fly
Hook:  Standard dry / Light wire
Size:  12
Thread:  Yellow
Tail:  Black bear hair or Antron yarn
Body:  Yellow closed cell foam, 1/8"
Legs:  Black round rubber, small
Alternative body colors - orange, white, black

 Teeny Nymph
Hook:  Nymph / 1x long / 1x heavy
Size:  10
Thread:  Black
Body:  Ringneck pheasant tail fibers
Legs:  Ringneck pheasant tail fibers (fibers from the body are tied back and down)
Head:  Black thread

 Beadhead Pheasant Tail Nymph (variant)
Hook:  Nymph / 1x long / 1x heavy
Size:  14
Beadhead:  Gold
Thread:  Brown
Tail:  Ringneck pheasant tail fibers
Rib:  Copper wire, fine
Abdomen:  Ringneck pheasant tail fibers
Wingcase:  Ringneck pheasant tail fibers
Thorax:  Burnt orange squirrel dubbing (pick-out the dubbing to give the appearance of legs)

Every now and then ... a bonus fish will come along 
(15-1/2" Largemouth Bass / Foam Fly, Size - 12)