More on SUMMER
You can catch bluegill right through the heat of the day, even
during the hottest part of the summer, if you can locate a weedbed
submerged in water at least 3 feet deep. The water does not have to
be very deep, in fact, most weedbeds used by bluegill are found
in 12 feet of water for less. During summer, extreme heat can cause
a loss of dissolved oxygen in some parts of the lake. When the
percentage of dissolved oxygen in the water is low, fish move to other
part of the lake where it is higher.
Weeds absorb carbon dioxide and return oxygen to the water, making
weedbeds the most oxygen-rich areas in the alke, and consequently, a
comfort zone for fish. Weeds provide shade from direct sunlight
and water temperatures there are cooler. Weedbeds also attract and produce
insects and vegetation bluegill eat, making it an ideal spot for fish to spend
the summer months.
To catch fish from submerged weedbeds, cast weighted Wooly Worms,
weighted wt flies like the Improved McGinty, and weighted Girdle Bugs
along the deep water side of the bed, and retrieve them erratically to entice
the fish.
Boat docks and bridges provide constant shade, plus algae and
moss grow on the posts or piling. Bluegill use the shade of these
structures to avoid direct sunlight and feed on insects associated
with algae and moss, as well as the vegetation itself.
To best take advantage of bridges and boat docks, cast wet flies
or Girdle Bugs into the shade beside and under the dock. Allow the fly
to sink awhile before starting the retrieve, then retrieve it in short, erratic
spurts. Sometimes boat docks and bridges produce excellent midday
bluegill fishing and are certainly worth exploring with a floating/sinking
line and weighted flies.
Even during the dog days of summer many fish move to shallow
water in the evening to try to scare up a free meal. There are always
plenty of insects available in the evening, and fish get into the habit
of taking them from the surface. If you are fishing and see activity on
the surface, tie on a dry fly and get in on the action.
As summer wears on, grasshoppers, crickets and other terrestrial
insects appear everywhere at once. Many are blown or fall into the water
and are quickly consumed by fish. Bluegill love all types of terrestrial
insects, so if you've noticed that grasshoppers and crickets are out,
try using a size 10 or size 12 Sponge-bodied Bug and a size 10 or size
12 Letort Cricket. The Sponge-bodied Bug will float on the surface forever
while its thin rubber legs jiggle and vibrate seductively. The Letort Cricket
floats well and is to light each tiny ripple in the water gives it action.
Because most terrestrial insects are blown or fall into the
water from vegetation growing along the shore, cast to places where
insects would normally land if that happened, because those spots are
the places where fish will be looking for a free meal. ~ Tom Keith
Next time AUTUMN!
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