Posts Tagged ‘Fly Fish’
January 4th, 2010 | 
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Whenever I mention that I fly fish to a fellow angler, he (or she) inevitably inquires whether I prefer fishing for trout or smallmouth bass. When I answer that trout and smallmouth bass are both OK, but that I also enjoy catching walleye, they look at me like I just deplaned from a spaceship. True, fly fishing and walleyes are not often used in the same sentence, but the times they are a changing. Fly fishermen who think outside of the box catch all varieties of fresh water fish on flies. I live on and fish the Kankakee River in Illinois, and have personally caught sunfish, catfish, carp, smallmouth bass, suckers, northern pike, AND walleye.
While a single fly may catch all of the species mentioned above, certain patterns are preferred when targeting specific fish. One can purchase many of the requisite patterns from fly shops, or one can choose to tie their own versions. I’m amazed at the numerous internet sites that offer fly tying instructions – even free videos – for many of the popular patterns.
Fly fishing for walleyes, or any other species, requires 3 fish-specific considerations – equipment, fly patterns, and technique.
I recommend a 5 or 6 weight, 9-foot good quality fly rod. You don’t have to spend a fortune on the rod, but the better its quality, the more you’ll enjoy casting with it. The reel should be set up with 150 to 200 yards of backing connected to the rod weight-appropriate line. Depending upon the depth and speed of the current in the river, a line with a sinking tip section is a good starting point. I use a 3-foot, 12-pound test leader tied to a 3-foot, 6-pound test tippet.
There are 2 patterns that work best for me when I’m fly fishing for walleyes. One is a Clouser Deep Minnow. I tie this pattern on a No.2 Matzuo plain shank offset hook to resemble a fire-tiger perch. The other pattern is my own creation that I call the K3 RiverBug. The K3 was born when I set out to tie the ‘perfect’ crayfish fly that would be irresistible to the legendary Kankakee River smallmouth, I was overwhelmed by the many crayfish variations that are out there in Google-land. on the internet. In every instance, the creators of these variations claimed that theirs was the best crayfish pattern they ever used. I picked the best parts of several patterns and tied the K3 on a Mustad No. 4 – 79580 streamer fly hook. Walleyes love this fly.
One you’ve acquired the proper equipment and selected your pattern, the key to your ultimate success is your technique. Of course, I’m assuming that you’re going to be fishing in a walleye-rich environment, which in most instances would be either a 4 to 10-foot hole between gravel bars, or a post-riffle run with a depth of 3 to 5 feet. The main variable in either case in the weight of the pattern. I fish the Clouser with a cross-river swing technique, using a variety of retrieves. I start by using a medium-speed strip. If that doesn’t work, I slow things down and let the Clouser meander through the swing, giving it a few tantalizing strip-and-stops along the way. Keep your rod tip close to the water, pointing at the fly. Watch your line and set it hard when you see it twitch.Walleyes will usually hit it on the drop after a strip, and at the end of the swing.
Although I use a similar retrieve with the K3 Bug, I’ve had excellent results using an up-river dead-drift technique that nymph fishermen use for trout. Long casts aren’t necessary here. In fact, too much line out can reduce strike detection and can cause you to miss hook-sets. Float detectors are optional, but free nymphing with the K3 lets you feel it bump along the bottom, clicking on rocks and attracting the attention of Mr. Bug-eyes. Keep your rod tip 2 to 3 feet off the water and follow the pattern down river. Watch your line and set it hard when you see atypical movement.
May 5th is just around the corner and most people are thinking Cinco de Mayo. Yet, there happens to be another important holiday that is celebrated in Japan on GOGATSU ITSUKA, (5/5) – Children’s Day!
Actually, May 5th began as Boy’s Day, the counter part of Girl’s Day (3/3). Today it is known as KODOMO NO HI (Children’s Day). This holiday falls during the first week of May which is referred to as Golden Week in Japan. During this time many Japanese companies are closed for a week or longer and most Japanese people are traveling locally or overseas.
While the Japanese people are celebrating Children’s Day, you may notice some of the following:
1.) KOI NOBORI (Carp Flags) – Around this time of the year you will see numerous KOI (Carp) Flags being flown throughout Japan. These flags range from simple to quite elaborate. When I lived in Japan, I was often able to see huge fish waving in the air from a mile away. These KOI flags are meant to represent the boys in the family. Usually, you will find that the number of fish flying in the breeze is equal to the number of young boys running around inside the house!
2.) KABUTO NINGYO (Samurai Helmet Dolls) – If you’ve seen Tom Cruise’s The Last Samurai, then you know the helmet I am talking about! Most Japanese homes will display either the helmet (KABUTO) or a doll wearing a helmet (KABUTO NINGYO).
3.) TORA. (Tiger) – In addition to the Samurai Helmet Dolls, you may also find tigers displayed in Japanese homes. Very often, these are bobble head figurines where the head of the tiger (TORA) bounces up and down!
If you are interested in seeing pictures of KODOMO NO HI items, please visit my blog at http://www.japan2america.com, or you my check out my website, [http://www.tenchi.us].
So, while you are out enjoying a Margarita Fiesta on Cinco de Mayo, be sure to raise your glass and give a toast to the children in your life as well! You may also decided to forgo the worm in the Tequila and have a goldfish (KOI) instead!
