Dry Flies for Bluegills

[spike-2]

I usually use small poppers, foam spiders and small buggers for gills. On a recent board somewhere mention was made of the use of dries. Orvis has a clearance sale on a variety of dries. I wold be interested to hear of your htoughts.
Thanks
Dave

[bonedog]

I've caught quite a few gills on Elk Hair Caddis.
My dos pesos,
bd

[Jim Hatch]

Hey Dave,

Just go into your normal trout fishing
mode in warm waters. The gills will feed on
the same flies as your trout. Dries, wets,
nymphs, the whole ball of wax.*G* Warm
regards,Jim

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Gill fishermen have bigger smiles!



[This message has been edited by Jim Hatch (edited 11 June 2005).]

[idabelangler]

I like Eric the Reds, chartreuse caddis, and greased up orange SHWAPFs. Foam dragon and damsels are fun to fish as well. Also small ants and midges are deadly at times sizes 20-24.

[check your fly]

The Too Simple Elk Hair Caddis (no hackle) size 14 has become my favortie Bluegill fly. A size 10 hopper (I like a bullet head) will get a lot of strikes but the hook ups are more often bigger fish in my experience. A generic looking mayfly imitation took a lot of fish last year. At first I would fish it dry then if a fish hit it and did not get hooked I would strip it back as it sank and usually get some more action.

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Chuck Hitt

You guys are missing one of the best and simplest. #10 or #12 Adams. Especially in the evenings when the various little flying critters are out.

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Michael (Wooly) Woolum
State Certified Hunter Education Instructor
Hickory, MS

[Rick Z]

I use several patterns that float for gills.

Try a midege pattern about a foot below this on a dropper. I think you will be surprised at the number of fish you get.

Rick

[countrygent36]

I know you asked for dry's but I stand by the marabou/muddler minnow. The best fly I've ever had the pleasure to use and tie. EVERYTHING likes to eat it. Even crawdad's go after it if you leave it set still.
My 2 cents.
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Best to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
Something I seldom remember to do.




[This message has been edited by countrygent36 (edited 11 June 2005).]

[beadleech]

Dry flies will catch a lot of bluegills but they [bluegills] are awfully hard on a dry. Between the fish munching and your removing them with forceps you'll destroy a lot. I use more foam spiders and VERY small poppers - down to a #14 - than drys. However, if you really want to use a dry a Royal Wluff in 14 is hard to beat - it's also quite durable and easy to cast. A foam Humpy is hard to beat, also.

Donald

[vermont trout bum]

I have had good luck with a size #14 Yellow body humpy.

-Andy