FLY FISHING FOR PAN FISH

SUNNIES AND BLUE GILLS FOOD SOURCES

 Although you may think fly fishing is for trout, it is also one of the most effective, exciting ways to catch bluegill. Because small insects are a major part of the bluegill's diet, an artificial fly resembling these insects is usually irresistible. Bluegill are not as picky as some trout, so most fly patterns will work. 

SUNNIES AND BLUE GILLS HABITAT

Sunnies and Blue Gills are a food source for large mouth bass , so you will find sunnies and blue gills near structure and shallow water and weeds, they need cover and protection from fish such as pickerel and bass. 

Fishing for Blue gills is a lot of fun. They can live in trout streams and in muddy stagnant water.

Look for small farm ponds and rivers with deep slow pools. I fish the Delaware Raritan Canal and the Raritan river every summer for these panfish. Once I find a good hole I can get 10-15 fish out of one spot. I fish Round Valley reservoir in the summer. I walk around and fish the edges, the water is very clear and you can spot the fish in large numbers around branches and fallen trees around the edge. Round Valley is full of scuds, I use a size 12 or 14 grey scud and this works well. In the early spring 2nd week of February , the rainbows look to spawn and swim along the shore close in. This is a good time to cast suds for trout because this is the only time of the year the trout come in just feet from the shore.

TACKLE

4wt or 5wt are ideal for these hard fighting small fish.

Poppers

Micro poppers

 I use poppers and fishing them by popping and jerking them across the surface of the water to create bubbles and commotion. They aggressively hit poppers all the time.

Wet flies such as the royal coachman attract a lot of attention and will produce.

ROCK BASS FOOD SOURCES 

Rock bass are very aggressive feeders with a diet consisting of aquatic insects, crayfish and small fish. Recent studies have shown that they can dramatically reduce minnow populations in lakes once they are introduced, reducing food for the larger fish in the lake. Care should be taken not to transport this or any other species of fish from one lake to another. 

ROCK BASS HABITAT

Rock bass are not that big but are very aggressive fish. They will be found  near structure and shallow water and weeds, but can be seen traveling

I find Rock Bass in all my favorite trout fishing spots, they turn on to the bite starting in June. Rock bass like the same water as small mouth bass, clean and cold and moving. For a small fish Rock Bass put up a great battle on your trout rod and they are usually in schools, so when you find one you end up catching a dozen.

TACKLE

4wt or 5wt are ideal for these hard fighting small fish.

Poppers

Micro poppers

Just like with sunnies I use poppers and fishing them by popping and jerking them across the surface of the water to create bubbles and commotion. They aggressively hit poppers all the time.