Bluegills and Jumbo Perch on the Fly

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22.../Bluegill3.jpg

This was an averaged size bluegill from the private lake/reservoir I fished down in Rhode Island. We fished from float tubes and I had a blast with my new 3 weight (Temple Forks). At times I was able to outfish my buddy who was stuck on jumbo perch with tube jigs and ultralite spin gear.

Sometimes with a popper/dropper setup I would hook 2 big 'gills at the same time. Talk about fun. I also landed about a half dozen 3 or 4 pound bass on that new rod. All in all a very successful trip, especially if you forget the part about needing 3 separate extended cab tow trucks to get us home after the transmission blew near Syracuse N.Y.

------------------
"...whatever is true,whatever is noble,whatever is right,whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."



[This message has been edited by speck (edited 16 August 2005).]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22.../BigPerch2.jpg

This is the biggest perch I've ever caught. It was about 14" long. I released him. He'd already had a narrow escape from a big bass or chain pickerel as he had two wound near the tail. Many of his buddies were not as fortunate and ended up in the pan. Absolutely delicious!

My fishing buddy and I fish all over RI South County and Eastern Ct. from Float Tubes for Blue Gills, Perch and Bass. What waters do you Fish

------------------
Bear

Thanks for the great story and pics! But I thought you needed an 8 or 10 weight to catch bass????? http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/icons/icon12.gif

Jim

I used to think an 8 or 9 weight was necessary for bass fishing until I managed to haul a 10 pound largemouth out of the weeds with my 5 weight. I wouldn't recommend fishing bass with a light weight rod in a heavily weeded area but restricting yourself to an 8 or 9 weight is not really necessary unless your targeting them in heavy cover. If I only had one flyrod for all my fishing I would use a 6 weight. You can overline a 6 wt. by one or two sizes and cast all but the biggest and bulkiest bass flies.

------------------
"...whatever is true,whatever is noble,whatever is right,whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."

Bear411,

I've sent you a message in response to your query.

------------------
"...whatever is true,whatever is noble,whatever is right,whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."

Bluegills and Crappies 3 or 4 wt, nymphs for Bluegill, minnows for crappies.
Smallmouth Bass, 4 or 5 wt should suffice, small minnow and small crayfish patterns
Largemouth Bass, 6 or 7 wt should be okay, again minnows and crayfish
Pike 7 or 8 wt, but for Muskie 9 or 10 weight, with steel tippet (and have hand protection) because they have a strong bite and sharp teeth, BIG STREAMERS (subsurface and surface), Terrestrials and Amphibians.

~Parnelli