How to Fly Fish for Bluegill

The bluegill is one of the most sought-after panfish. They are widespread, found in bodies of warm water all across the United States. In summer and fall, bluegill will school in large numbers around weed beds. During these warm months, they will readily take bait and artificial lures and flies. Fly fishing is productive at this time, especially in the evening when these fish feed on surface insects, making dry flies a good choice for catching large numbers of bluegill. Wet flies are effective all through the day.

Things You'll Need

  • Fly rod, 7 to 8 foot
  • Floating fly line
  • Leader, 7 1/2 feet, 7X tippet
  • Flies -- dry, wet and nymphs
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Instructions

    • 1

      Watch for rings forming on the water, indicating that bluegill are taking insects off the surface. Cast a dry fly to the area of the rings and let it sit still on the water waiting for a bluegill to take it. Allow 10 to 15 seconds and then twitch the fly to give it movement that will attract the fish.

    • 2

      Move around weed beds in a boat while casting a dry fly toward the weeds. If a fish doesn't take the fly, keep casting and moving until you catch a fish. Anchor the boat and continue to fish the spot; bluegill school, and where you catch one, you'll find more.

    • 3

      Cast a wet fly alongside weed beds, let the fly sink, and then slowly pull the fly back to you, simulating a swimming insect. Try the retrieving technique of pulling the fly toward you 6 to 12 inches, letting it sink down for 3 to 5 seconds, and then pulling it again until it is brought back in.

    • 4

      Drop a wet fly onto a spawning bed and retrieve it back in short, quick jerks. Bluegill will attack the fly as it passes over the bed or it will be taken by other fish as it clears the nest area.

    • 5

      Use a sinking fly line and get wet flies down into deep water during cold months when bluegill move out of the shallow water and into the center of the lake or pond. Retrieve the fly in slow pulls, pausing in between pulls. Bluegill will be sluggish in the cold water and need more time to respond to a fly.