I was fishing the muskegon river for smallmouths and trout the other day and saw a bunch of redhorse suckers and a few large white suckers. I decided to try to catch one on a fly and had no luck (I am a complete flyfishing rookie though) and am wondering how to go about it. What kind of flies to buy, etc. The larger ones were in a slight depression in the middle of an area of fast current which made my fly not get down deep enough to be at their level. Would a weighted fly do the trick or would I need to add some shot to the line next time? Any advice is appreciated. I am thinking a 25" sucker on a 5 wt. would be a lot of fun.
Try this article link:
[url=http://www.buckeyeflyfishers.com/Articles/white%20suckers/white_sucker.htm:9afe3]Flyfishing for Suckers[/url:9afe3]
Best of luck :).
Here in South Central Texas, we have lots of redhorse suckers in our tailwater trout fishery on the Guadalupe. In fact, our local Texas Parks and Wildlife fisheries biologist claims we have a “world class redhorse fishery,” whatever that means. When I catch them, it tends to be when I am dead drifting small dark nymphs near the bottom of deep runs, especially when they are schooled up for spawning. At other times of the year, they can be easy to spot as they swim along in their schools, but can be quite spooky and finicky, seldom taking a fly.
Here in South Central Texas, we have lots of redhorse suckers in our tailwater trout fishery on the Guadalupe. In fact, our local Texas Parks and Wildlife fisheries biologist claims we have a “world class redhorse fishery,” whatever that means. When I catch them, it tends to be when I am dead drifting small dark nymphs near the bottom of deep runs, especially when they are schooled up for spawning. At other times of the year, they can be easy to spot as they swim along in their schools, but can be quite spooky and finicky, seldom taking a fly.
I have hooked a lot of those Muskegon river suckers when nymphing. Try a small hares ear nymph dead drifted right on the bottom. I sometimes use a heavily weighted wooly bugger or stonefly nymph instead of split shot and just tie the tippet directly to the bend of that hook. Try the deeper runs for trout too. For real fun on that five weight wait a few weeks 'till the salmon come up the river.
I’ve found that the best way to catch suckers in a trout stream is to really really REALLY want to catch a trout :lol:
Does anyone have an idea on catching mullet on a fly? A couple of year back I was fishing on a golf course down in Florida there were mullet as long as my arm jumping. I have long arms too.
My problem is the sucker is usually on the wrong end of the rod. 
Weighted black woolly buggers work too. The main thing is to get your fly down to where the suckers are laying.
Uncle Jesse-
The Sept-Oct 1996 Issue of “Flyfishing in Salt Waters” had an article about fly fishing for Mullet. The folks around here very occasionally hook one fishing for trout on the flats and tell me it’s quite a run- they are a strong fish if there is any size to them.
Also pretty good smoked or filleted and fried. :lol:
A few years back I had a client hook one in heavy current to boot of about 18 inches on a 4wt he was having a blast untill he got a good look at it then couldn’t wait to get it off his line. The lucky fello would’t even let me take his picture with it I stood in for him. I wish I hooked that fish myself.
Several years ago I was in Germany and on the front of one of their outdoor sports magazine was a fellow holding up, Fly Fishing Magazine style, a stringer of three large redhorse suckers. I kept that cover for years, pulling it out at dinner parties for a great laugh. Then one day I happened to catch one and had just a wonderful mind-opening experience. They really are a beautiful fish. Okay, so the lips are wierd, but hey, my lips aren’t a thing like Mick Jagger’s and we’re both beautiful! JGW