fly fishing without fly gear?

Post by **ginsen** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 11:49 am

When I wade the Ottawa hese days, I see the water boiling after dark that the fish (guess it's bass) taking the flies. I tried various top water lure, the fish are not interested at all.

Without investing an arm to get the flying gear, anyone tried casting a fly? Guess I can try that by casting with hand, that doesn't count here.

Post by **Todd B.** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 12:07 pm

ginsen,

You can always purchase one of the clear plastic inline floats that can be fill with a bit of water to give it some casting weight. This will probably work for nymphs and other wet flies, though the spash of the float might spook fish that would normally be taking dry flies.

Note, it you're only seeing boils on the water, the fish are taking bait that is just under the suface. Sometimes you can get the to hit a dry fly or a small panfish popper but usually you have to "match the hatch" and find out what exactly they're feeding on.

Post by **Kingmann** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 12:18 pm

I have seen catfish surface feeding on various insects at Deschene rapids over the last few weeks at both dawn and dusk. I've been told to try(and haven't yet)using any type of float to give my line some wait when using flies with non fly gear.

JasonM

Post by **ginsen** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 1:25 pm

Todd,

Didn't know there's a inline float, will give it a try. Maybe add some split shot for casting.

I can see the fish chasing flies above surface, so I guess dry flies should work.

Post by **Todd B.** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 1:29 pm

ginsen,

You'll probably be able to find them at LeBaron's or Canadian Tire, etc. they're usually about 2" long and tear drop shaped. I think they're also available in colours so that you can spot your float on the water.

As for split shot, don't bother. The amount of shot you need to cast will take your bait to the bottom, defeating your intentions of presenting a fly near/on the surface.

Post by **Sportspal** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 2:50 pm

I fished the Ottawa near Fitzroy last weekend and from 5-7am carp were feeding at the surface.
Try some corn before you invest in flys.
Carp are big fish, but they are gentile when they feed....

Post by **bobfly** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 9:51 pm

Just get the fly out there however you can but try for as light a tippet (what you tie the fly to) as you can. My dad who caught more trout than anyone I know used to troll a tiny white fly with his spinning gear on his motor boat and did better than me and others casting away getting our arms sore. This was on Jocko Lake near Kamloops where I grew up more years ago than I care to think about.

bobfly

Post by **sparky** » Sun Sep 05, 2004 9:50 am

You can fish a dry fly without casting if you can get upstream of the action and just let the current carry it downstream. It's worked for me. I always carry flies with me, even if I leave my fly rod at home.

Post by **Wall-I-Guy** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 7:10 am

You get a whole miriad of fish surface feeding in the evenings usually

We've seen, Carp, Catfish, Bass and even Eels doing their surface dances.

It's understandable you can't get them to take the bait...There's too many species

Post by **Laker_Taker** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 9:54 am

Those inline floats that you can fill up with H20 are called bubble floats I think. I was actually looking to pick some up at Lebaron's the other week but I don't think they had any, or maybe I just didn't see them. I think I've found them at good ole CT. They're good little floats to have, I say they work just fine thanks. Don't really have much to add on your hope to present flies without fly gear, but I'm sure you've already figured it out. Thought I'd just comment on the floats. Later!