Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2022 - 9

BLUEGILLS ON THE FLY
T
by Ralph Scherder photo by the author
hink of fly fishing and most anglers envision casting
to rising trout or drifting egg patterns to finicky
steelhead. While I enjoy those moments, too, once
summer rolls around, I have a different species that I love to
target-the Bluegill.
Like many anglers, the first fish that ever tugged my line
was a Bluegill. I could not get enough of these fish. Bluegills
are plentiful in most places, eager biters, and fight well.
Bluegills are the perfect quarry for kids, but Bluegills are just
as much fun for adults, and even more so when catching on
the fly.
The summer months are primetime for Bluegills on the
surface. Poppers and foam bugs are typical choices for panfish
on top, but do not overlook simple dry fly patterns. Not all
panfish are aggressive all of the time, and its eagerness to eat
is often a direct reflection of the local fishing pressure. From
personal experience, panfish may become just as fly-shy and
selective as trout, and nothing will damage your ego as much as
a Bluegill shunning your perfectly-decent presentation.
Some of my favorite dry flies for Bluegills and other panfish
are the Parachute Adams, Mosquito, Red Humpy, and Madam X.
Where shallow enough, I prefer to wade parallel to the shoreline
and cast ahead along the edge of the lily pads or whatever
structure is present. Sometimes, the fly landing on the water
produces an immediate, territorial strike. Other times, I let the
fly sit for a few seconds before giving the rod tip the slightest
twitch, just enough to cause the fly to skate an inch or two, and
then let it rest a few more seconds before repeating the process.
The long pause before twitching the fly is important if fish are
a little skittish. I have fished ponds and lakes where Bluegills
scattered as soon as my fly hit the water, so you have to give
these fish a chance to settle down again.
If fish are more aggressive, a quicker retrieve can be
effective. In this situation, I tie on a foam spider or Madam
X, both of which have rubber legs, and skate it on the surface
12 inches at a time. The strike typically occurs as soon as the
fly stops.
Weather conditions also play a role in how particular
Bluegills can be. During cool or overcast days, panfish will
feed all day in the shallows. But, if it is going to be a hot day
with lots of sun, hit the water early for the best action. You
may still catch Bluegills all day, especially in shaded areas, but
the size usually gets smaller as larger fish move to deeper and
cooler water.
To target larger fish in the middle of the day, switch to
subsurface flies such as small Woolly Buggers in sizes 12 and
14, nymphs, and Squirmy Wormies. I let the Woolly Buggers
sink down to where the fish are feeding before beginning the
retrieve. The nymphs and Squirmy Wormies, though, I often
suspend under an indicator the same way I would if I were
fishing for trout. If a few minutes pass with no strikes, I lift
the rod tip and skate the indicator a few feet to get my fly into
new water.
You do not need any special gear to fly fish for Bluegills
and other panfish. Whatever you use for trout will work just
fine, but lighter, 2- to 4-weight rods and lines allow for a better
fight and more enjoyment. When summer rolls around, I
enjoy heading to the lake with my two young kids, fly rod in
hand, and a box of panfish flies in my pocket.
July/August 2022
9
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2022

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