Fly Fishing the Lake

[Stan Wright]

Matt had a good day with the fly rod… several peacock bass and these two beauties. Big Bluegill are not seen as often as they were 20 years ago. We do have a lot of Red Devils, and they are challenging and fun to catch on a fly rod… just ask Matt.

[bassnbones]

Hi Stan,

I've been fly fishing for oio for awhile now, but am new to the Lake Wilson scene. I was out there a couple of weeks ago and saw quite a few red devils (and some other similar sized fish that looked black through the surface - what are those?). Hooked up on a small tuc using a spinner rod and a dark green/silver baitfish lure, but no luck using flies.

Can you recommend some generic streamers that I can use on Lake Wilson? Also, size and colors? I used woolly buggers, matukas, and clousers in white, olive, black with no luck. I used them on a floating line with a short (4'-6') leader with a BB shot at the eye of the hook. I think they were size 4 or 6...

Mahalo in advance...

[Stan Wright]

I recommend Stans famous…"50 cent Fly"
(It's so cheep to make and looks so ugly, you couldn't sell it for 50 cents.)

1. a size 10 AH hook… or stronger hook
2. some orange thread… or what ever color you have.
3. some bead chain for eyes, or weight if you like it to sink a little.
4. Gold "flash-a-boo"… silver works good. I've also used yarn and hair from my wife's dog. (don't tell her I said that)

If I could choose only one color it would be GOLD. I've caught everything on gold. But other colors work better on some days.
I get my fly tying materials and hooks at Nervous Water Fly Shop.

Now, Go on YouTube and type in "Crazy Charlie" fly.

Remember that peacock bass like a fast retrieve… Cast right against the shore and strip the line in fast. If you get a chase, speed up, do not stop.
Red devils and bluegill like a very slow retrieve… like trout fishing a nymph.





Another great fly is the "Clean Sweep" fly. I guess you'd call it a Woolly Bugger with a flashy tail. They also work great for all the fish in Lake Wilson. Try different colors. I like small flys because you can target smaller fish… and the BIG fish like them too.





Now if you're not into fly fishing, don't worry, just use your spinning real and a "bubble rig". Works great. The splashing on the surface seems to attract the peacock bass. Yes they do often hit the bubble instead of the fly. LOL



I also replace the star hook on the tiny CastMaster lures with a fly.
You might want to use the Limerick hooks with the big eye… easier to fit on the split ring of the lure…