Fly Fishing

[SeaCrow]

Just curious as to. If y'all fly fish? It's something I'm just getting into. Could you imagine the fight of a large bass on a fly rod? That would be fun

[Scott F]

In my smallmouth club, we have a big group of guys who chase smallies with fly rods. I used to do it myself. Fly fishing presents a whole new set of challenges. For the guys who are serious about it, the presentation itself along with tying your own lures is as much a part of the experience as catching fish.

[jbmaine]

I've fly fished off and on for 50 years, and have caught just about anything on a fly rod that you can catch on conventional tackle ( in this area)  I have to say I've enjoyed salmon in fresh water and stripers in the ocean the most.

[SeaCrow]

I'm just getting into fly fishing and tying my own flies. It's a challenge, but that's what makes it  fun

[Krux5506]

bass on the fly is one of the most fun types of fly fishing possible, in my opinion. Chucking little poppers or woolly buggers is tough to beat when the bite is on. 

[TnRiver46]

Ah fly fishing........ started off as fun for me, and still is. I usually like to stick to fly fishing for fish that are actively eating bugs, mainly tailwater and smoky mountain trout. I have caught bass and other larger fish casting bigger stuff but it’s not a method I enjoy as much as a baitcaster or spinning rod. Also I like fishing 15-25 feet deep which is laborious with fly gear. I started working as a fly fishing guide in ‘08 and still do it on weekends. The last decade has burned me out on fly fishing somewhat but not completely. Also my girlfriend loves all things fly fishing and trout so that helps me enjoy it and keep the skills sharp. @Scott F, I also paddled some of your fellow Illinois smallmouth alliance fly guys down the French broad river in a complete deluge on a guided trip a few years ago (not Jeff). I can’t remember their names but the guy in the back of the boat had me laughing the whole way down, I think his name might have been Mickey? Very short older guy. The two guys in my boat knew way more about fly fishing for smallmouth than I did, they had done it all over the country, whereas I reach for a round bait caster and a pop R when chasing smallies. They just had a big group and needed an extra drift boat captain, and I learned a lot from them. I don’t think I was their ideal fishing guide that day but I had a boat and got them down the river anyhow haha.

[Oregon Native]

Gosh...memories.  Used to be what they call a purest....No more...not....don't want to go back.  Have a couple surgeries on wrist due to to much fly fishing.  Really enjoyed while I did it...Fished for everything that swam...think the biggest was a 40 pound plus Chinook out of a coastal river in Oregon.  Loved fishing in the ocean for bass too...many memories.  Was fun matching the hatch they say...now...all the fly stuff is gone...but not the memories.

Used to tie a lot of Dave Whitlock patterns.....good stuff

Enjoy

[Further North]

I fly fish for smallies, largemouth, pike and muskies on flies.  And now and then, trout.

 

There are almost always at least a couple fly rods in the boat, and if I wading, I'll default to flies about 90% of the time.