Hey guys. I was wondering what kind of flies would be good to tye to fish for catfish? I live in middle TN. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
-Brandon
I’ve had the best luck with all black leech patterns or all black streamer patterns. The streamer patterns may be fairly large, about 7-8 inches long tied with black Icelandic Sheep hair. I also add a stinger hook to the large patterns to accomodate for short strikes.
Jim Smith
Hey James! Thanks for your input. When you go do you usually go at night even though you are fly fishing? Thanks for your help!
-Brandon
Leach it is. It is what we used as kids for bait on catfish trot lines. Black or dark brown.
LadyFisher, Publisher of
FAOL
I’ve caught my share of channel cats on a fly. In late May and early June these beasts spawn. During the spawn they become very aggressive. Look for areas with a lot of stone riprap or blow-down timber. Spawning cats like to be under or in some kind of hidey-hole.
During this part of the season, use a bright fly. My absolute best pattern has been a mickey finn clouser (yellow over red over yellow) tied on a size 4 hook. It seldom fails me.
Later in the year try baitfish imitations. Contrary to popular opinion, channel cats, flatheads and blues are all very effictive sight predators. I’ve taken channels on top water baits in Lake Fork Texas in August while they were jumping shad schools just like white bass!
There is a great fly fishing forum in Manitoba where one of the participants specializes in BIG channels on a spey rod. He uses a white Alley’s Shrimp pattern on a swing and takes fish over 20lbs regularly (on the Red River).
Hope this helps.
Joe C.
Fly Fishing Warm Water Rivers is my new book based on nearly two decades of exploring and fishing the flows of the Midwest. [url=http://www.flyfishohio.com:f77b3]www.flyfishohio.com[/url:f77b3] for more information
Brandon,
Actually, I’ve had pretty good luck during the day if it’s not too bright/sunny out and the water is not too clear. I mainly catch channel cats since they are more inclined to eat live food. When I fish at night, I usually end up with more bass than channel cats since they inhabit the same water. Catfish are great fish that really fight hard on a fly rod and taste pretty darn good as well.
Jim
Thanks guys for your help!
-Brandon
I’ve caught a fair # of channel cats on black wooly buggers while fishing for smallies in the river [afternoon or evening]. I’ve never tried fishing for them intentionely; however, a 20"r is a blast on a 4 wt!!
Donald
I was doing quite well on small bass with a white on white Clouser, with the triad of Flashaboo in the center, size 10 hook, when a channel cat weighing a tad bit over 5 lbs hit. Was I happy? Happier than the cat. On my five weight. JGW
Have had cat’s hit Minnow Imitation’s while fishing for Smallie’s…Always’ a welcome surprise…Crayfish is another…can’t remember where I got the pattern…But a swimming Crayfish pattern in particular gets a few every season for me…Most are unintentional…but always welcome!!!
Heres the recipe:
Hook Tiemco 200R, 3XL Sizes 8 and 10
Thread 6/0 Uni-Thread Brown
Antenna Sili-Legs Barred Orange
Tail Rabbit Fur Crawfish Orange
Underbody Lead Wire .025 dia.
Abdomen Rabbit Fur Crawfish Orange
Thorax Peacock Herl Three Herls
Wingcase Peacock Herl Four Herls
Legs Hen Feather Mottled Brown
[This message has been edited by billknepp (edited 16 April 2006).]
Brandon, I catch quite a few channels during the day on a very simple b.h. damsel pattern. gold bead, sz 10-12 2x long hook. tail olive marabou, rib-gold wire, wrap the marabou to form the body, counter wind the gold wire. Then use the rest of the marabou to make a bushy head. Works great on lots of species. If I fish for them at night then I’ll usually use a black woolly or leech.
Terry Quality flies~ great prices…www.teflyfishing.com