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I was chasing bluegills with my 2wt over the weekend, fishing a March Brown dry. The gills were hitting it and dunking it but very few actually took it. These were pretty small gills but the fly was the smallest I had in the box; probably a 14 or so. So was the fly too big? Were they mad at it but just not hungry? Opinions?
Not sure why, but did you try another fly?
Rick
Of course; but just curious why this behavior with the dry.
I've had them do this before and it is indeed frustrating. It's almost like they're bumping it with their noses just to see what it is and if it's edible or not.
Jim Smith
Maybe they wanted to sink the fly, then eat it beneath the surface?
Maybe the fly was getting deflected when they'd hit the hackle, so they couldn't grab the fly?
Fish can definitely be tricky to figure out sometimes! :D
I think smaller gills will often pull it under and cripple it before taking it, if at all. I see it a lot as well.
I finally got out today to do some bluegill therapy. I had a lot of fun watching them try to whack some Gartside Gurglers. I did get a couple but after a very trying July this was needed, believe me.
Anyhow these gills were going after #10 gurglers. I did get a big swirl in some weeds, but no hook up. I agree that that the smaller ones "pick" at the prey to cripple it. I would have 3 or 4 picks per cast. But again, just to get out and catch 3 was very helpful.
Mike
We have been amused (sometimes at length!) by small BG's grabbing the tail of a woolybugger and shaking it like a dog killing a rat and then swim away. Job done.......?
....lee s.
In my experience when this is the case I will hand twist retrieve the fly n only set the hook when I feel the fish..it works more often then not..also..try a Michigan may fly emerger..Google it..you'll see what I mean..they work when not much else will...
Attachment 14285 if this works is the basic pattern tweak as you see fit..
I see bluegill trying to use their dorsal to hit the fly sometimes. They seem to want to try and cripple the fly.
Consider that small bluegill are baitfish themselves. It make sense to me they would try to drown a top water fly and get under the surface when they are better able to see predators and escape if necessary. We live where we are at the top of the food chain and become more alert when we venture where there are predators that could cause us harm.