When the panfish bite is tough, fly away
By Babe Winkelman

I don’t know how many times I’ve seen it… A ton of boats stacked up on a known panfish hole, where anglers cast bobbers and jigs, waxworms, minnows, leeches, crawlers and other edibles without much luck. And somewhere in the mix, you spot brightly-colored line arcing in a graceful cast… then a hookset, and a bent rod as the fly fisherman strips in yet another big fish. Sometimes, when fish are non-active to negative, fly tackle is the best way to get them to bite. Sometimes it’s the only way.

Not only is fly fishing for crappies and sunfish deadly, but it’s also incredibly fun. The sight of a giant bluegill or crappie inhaling a nymph or surface popper is a rush matched only by the exhilarating fight you’ll experience on an 8-1/2 foot, 5-weight rod.

I’ll be the first to admit: I’m not an expert fly fisherman. I’m not a River-Runs-Through-It purist in any way. In fact, I’m definitely more of a spinning tackle panfisherman. But I can make good fly casts, and I’m a good line watcher, and I’m pretty good at choosing a fly style to suit the season and conditions.

So, if fly fishing for panfish is so effective, then why don’t more people do it? That’s a good question. I think a big reason is that there’s an intimidation factor involved with fly fishing among people who have never done it before. They assume it’s too difficult to cast, or maybe too expensive, or too daunting to choose the right flies, or maybe all of the above. The truth of the matter is: none of those reasons are founded in fact.

Casting a fly rod is actually quite simple once you grasp the fundamentals and rhythm. If you’re just getting started, I encourage you to get an instructional video or check local tackle shops in your community for seminars. A good instructor can give you a great understanding of the physics involved in fly casting and give you a head start on becoming proficient with a fly rod. Keep in mind that with panfish, the cast isn’t rocket science. With spooky trout in current, the art of the cast can be a lot more specialized as it relates to positioning the fly, tippet and fly line to deliver the fly “just-so.”  But fly fishing for bluegills and crappies typically involves straight casts of moderate distances, so it’s pretty straightforward. As with any physical activity, practice makes perfect. When honing your skills, I suggest going to an open field on a windless day with a barbless fly. By eliminating the effects of wind, water drag and the threat of injury, you can better execute the practice cast.

Now… to the next perceived barrier to fly fishing: Expense. Yes, fly tackle can cost a pretty penny. A friend of mine, who is a dry-fly trout purist, spends a lot on his passion. He has rods costing as much as a thousand dollars! But there are amazing fly rods and reels available that are priced conservatively for normal Joes like us. St. Croix’s Triumph Series (www.stcroixrods.com) is a perfect example. You can pick up a complete combination (SC graphite rod, aluminum reel, backing, fly line and leader) for about 150 bucks. It’s a screamin’ deal, especially when you consider that St. Croix is one of the finest fly rod brands in the world.

When you hit the panfish honey hole with your fly rod, the first question is: What to use? I base that decision on the time of year and what the fish are telling me. You can break panfish flies into two categories: surface and sub-surface flies. If it’s a spawning situation and I’ve located sunfish and/or crappies on their beds, I always go with subsurface flies. A beaded Wooly Bugger is a great choice. It does a good job of emulating a leech, and spawning panfish hate it when leeches hang around their nests. They’ll attack the Wooly Bugger to get it away from their precious eggs.

If it’s a feeding bite instead of a territorial spawn pattern, the Wooly Bugger is still a great offering, as are nymphs, bloodworm larvae, beetles, black or cinnamon ants and other terrestrials. There’s something about ants that all fish really seem to love. If I’m out and I note that the panfish are feeding up high on an emerging hatch, I’ll go to a dry caddis, damselfly or a small popper (usually in olive or bumble bee). To me, the topwater bite is the most exciting presentation. The sight and sound of that “POP” is so much fun, especially if you’re fishing with kids and introducing them to the magic of fly fishing.

If you love catching sunfish and crappies (and eating them too!), but haven’t yet discovered the joys and advantages of fly fishing, I strongly encourage you to give it a try. Pick up some good quality equipment, learn the fundamentals, and the rest will take care of itself.

Good Fishing!

Babe Winkelman is a nationally-known outdoorsman who has taught people to fish and hunt for nearly 30 years. Watch his award-winning “Good Fishing” and “Outdoor Secrets” television shows on Versus (VS.), Fox Sports Net, Wild TV and many local networks.  Visit www.winkelman.com for air times where you live.