I've caught hundreds of Bluegill on this fly. Its a simple fly to tie. Bluegill and Red Ear Sunfish tear it up. #bluegill #bestbluegillflyever #flytying #callaweginflyfishing
Hey Robert, When I started fly fishing and fly tying it seemed very few people explained how they fish their favorite flies. Through trial and error I figured out how to make most of the flies effective. Very simple pattern and a quick tie. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Robert for sharing this fly. I’m a new subscriber and truly appreciate your help. I will definitely be tying a few of these to try come next Spring. I’d love to be using them this Fall. But I just had Open Heart Surgery 6 weeks ago. So fishing is on hold for awhile. But during my recovery I will definitely have time to prepare for next season. I live in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Located about 1 1/2 hours east of Minneapolis. We are surrounded by great waters and fishing areas. I’m anxious to start watching your other videos. Thank you again for your time and help with your channel. God bless.
Thanks for the pattern. I'm going to have to tie some of these up for my kids. I made something similar that i like to call a micro bugger, but i didn't have the swept back hackles going. That's a nice touch!
So after watching this video several days ago I did Tie up two and took them out today to fish. I was very happy with it. I caught lots of bluegills and a bass. Then the next fish I hooked must have been a large bass because it fought so hard before breaking off and stealing my fly. I gave one to a new fly fisher friend who caught her first fish on her fly rod with this pattern. I’m happy I tried it. Now I have to tie a lot more!!
I found you. It was great to talk to you on the Current today. I only caught one brownie but he was a chunk. I forgot my streamer box at home. Keep tying and taping these shows my friend.
I was glad to find someone that's shared their passion for bluegill fishing. It's about all Zi fish for here in Indiana . I really like the purple in the variation.
Well.lol I do like perch, and walleye. But the bluegill are minutes away. Perch, and walleye requires to much driving for me. I just love the fight on a three weight, or tenkara.
Its been so long since i tied a fly, probably 20 years ago as a junior high student visiting my old man on the weekends. Hell he wasnt even 30 haha. Ive always thought it amazing how one little thing can make a fly really come together. Looks like a mess one minute, one of the best flies in the box a minute later. I just got back into steelhead fishing and need to get back to tying. Theres just a few flies i use, just different colors, sizes, beaded or not. Woolly buggers of course, egg sucking leaches, hares ears, copper johns, and a couple other random nymphs, nuke eggs. Though I switched to centerpin i love using tackle for both spinning rods and flies
I hope it works too, my wife LOVES bluegill. If I catch enough bluegill to keep my wife happy she'll never give me a hard time about fishing again. Keep the good stuff coming
Like you I love bluegill fishing I love to eat them here in South Louisiana we have bluegill everywhere I will be tie some up and hope I catch a lot in this area thanks for the video buddy
Nice fly and easy tie.... Going to build and try on 1 size larger hook... Living in Florida our blue gill and shell crackers are larger and will let you know how it goes... Phillipe....
Got out of fly fishing quit a few years ago, gave everything away. Thinking about getting back into it for pan fish and possibly trout fishing here in several Missouri trout parks, Merrimack Springs, Bennette Springs etc.. Not going the split bamboo route, just looking for fair priced rod, reel and line, I don’t know what rod might work best, either weight or length. What would your suggestion be for length, weight and “line”. Been away from it long enough to forget all the particulars about line. Appreciate your thoughts. Thanks for taking the time to make the video, very educational and enjoyable to watch. We’re from west central MO.
Thanks. I do a lot of bluegill fishing down here in the FL Panhandle. I’ll tie up some of these. Please post a materials list with these videos. For example, I’d like to know what bead to get for this fly - is it tungsten? Anyway, I like your videos - keep up the good work.
Always enjoy watching people tie flies. First time I saw a person fly fishing was near Cleveland . My uncle could not keep fish off his fly. That must have been early 50s
I used float the Snake River in Idaho during the summer months 3 times per week below the Palasade Dam. Lose to the dam we usually caught Brown trout and Cutthroat. I tied my own flies. Nothing more rewarding than to see a trout take your fly when a natural salmon fly was floating just beside it🥴
I’m sure this works great but in all honesty the greatest bluegill fly of all time is probably a size 10 or 12 bead head prince. Most fun fly for bluegills would likely go to a foam spider or small popper. Enjoyed the video man. Keep it up!
What size & type of gold bead do you recommend to go on that #10 hook? I was overwhelmed when I saw all the sizes and options available. Thanks so much for your help.
I put a cheap medium size black fly on my fly rod a few years ago and it is still on there. I catch crappy all the time every time I go out.... winter, spring, summer or fall..
The tail is barbs from a black neck feather, with some red tinsel and mylar flash. The body is black dubbing. The ribbing is red tinsel. The front wings are a wrapped black neck hackle. The front dubbing is any color other than black, I like grey. The video gives the tying details. Thanks.
Have you ever tried using a weight forward floating fly line? It's much easier to cast than a DT. My preference for panfish is 5 weight 9' 3" fast tip rod paired with a 5 weight forward floating line. It's also great for bass. My profile pic is a 5# largemouth caught on my Orvis 9' 3" fast tip rod with 2# Vanish and #10 bluegill wet fly I normally use 9' to 12' of 2 # Berkley Vanish for wet fly fishing. If you're into bigger 9 to 10 inch fish, you can increase to 4#. Also, for wet fly fishing to increase the visibility of the tippet , apply silicon paste on the first 3 or 4 feet from the fly line. This adds floatation and visibility for a better bite indication. I call this a "tick" in the line. It's when the fish mouths the fly. Floats and indicators work but sometimes spook the fish. Detection of the "tick" is a game changer when it comes to catching the bigger and wiser bluegills. Bluegills are easy to catch, big bluegills take more finesse and quicker responses to the bite. Good luck, and I hope this helps with your successful fishing adventures.
Best sunfish fly I have is a floating rubber spider really small like #10 or 12 hook size no bead or any weight so it is a totally floating lure. Black body with white legs I cast it out, let it rest a bit then twitch it lightly on the retrieve bluegills and sunfish can't resist it. Just the ticket for when fish are surface feeding on insects.
A suggestion for the name: "Best Fly Ever"; and a question, what vise is it you're using. (I know its a rotary vise, I'd like to know the make, model & how its held up, etc. I have a feeling I'm not alone.)
John, I bought the vice from Bass Pro about 25 years ago. It was made or distributed by a company called Peak Fishing. They were based in Colorado. It has a heavy square base that just sits on the table, not bolted down. I like it because I can move it around but the base is heavy enough to hold it steady while I work.
@@Callaweginflyfishing, That's one of the ones I've been looking at, along with the Mongoose by, I believe, Montana Vice Company. Both are about the same price at Cabela's and at The Fly Shop (if you ever visit Northern California, they're up by Redding and well worth the visit). In fact, I've been completely happy with the stainless steel non-rotating vice I bought from them over two decades ago that came with a clamp, two pairs of jaws and a stem extension for about $50.00. I added the Griffith after market base they still carry for about $35.00 in their catalog. Unfortunately, they haven't carried that particular vice for a very long time. ("Too 'Good' of a deal" to stay in business? If so, too bad.) So, in the words of Elvis Presley: "Thank you. Thank you very much", for responding.
In Idaho I was watching a professional fly tier , he has said he made $18,000 per year tying flies. He had several ladies working for him. I asked how many flies can you tie per hour. He said 5-6. Well poo I could tie that many. Then he added dozen.🥴
No, usually I start working is back 1 or 2 seconds after it hits. I work it slow so it sinks about 6" or so. Usually the water is only a couple feet deep where I work it.
@@Callaweginflyfishing I tied some BBF flies and had terrific success with large bluegills and some bass. We have a feeder on our pond and when that shoots feed it has been difficult to interest the fish with anything else. But with the BBF I was continuing to catch fish both during and after the feeder stopped. It was impressive. As you said, the fish tore up the flies with all of the action. Thanks for the great pattern.
@@brianwilson526 Brian, I'm really not sure why that fly works so well. On a new lake, I always start with it to verify that there are fish. Glad it worked well for you. Thanks!
@@Callaweginflyfishing You may have to add catfish to the best blue gill ever fly. Today I horsed in two large cats with the bbg fly on 4x tippett. They both took the fly on the bottom lip and it took about 20 minutes to land them. I had no net so I had to use forceps to get them on land. The blue gills that I’m catching are just over 10” probably because there is a feeder that feeds them daily.
I fish a yellow foam humpy with a brown Kip tail . I think the tail looks like a suck from a may fly to them.. If their feeding on the surface,l haven’t found anything better. You’re fly would make a great dropper.
That almost resembles a soldier fly. Something along those lines should do well. A soldier fly is commonly found. It's big and tasty (to a bream lol) and stingless.
I sometimes literally just tie a piece of frayed yarn to the bend of a hook with a square knot. Bluegill are the dumbest creatures on earth... maybe turtles, but I still think bluegill. I've even caught bluegill on a bare 1/32oz jig head. My point is, that's a beautiful fly, fish what works for you. There's no right or wrong way to fish.
Hey Robert,
When I started fly fishing and fly tying it seemed very few people explained how they fish their favorite flies. Through trial and error I figured out how to make most of the flies effective.
Very simple pattern and a quick tie. Thank you for sharing.
Thomas, this is a great fly. It was also the result of trial and error. Thanks.
Thank you Robert for sharing this fly. I’m a new subscriber and truly appreciate your help. I will definitely be tying a few of these to try come next Spring. I’d love to be using them this Fall. But I just had Open Heart Surgery 6 weeks ago. So fishing is on hold for awhile. But during my recovery I will definitely have time to prepare for next season. I live in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Located about 1 1/2 hours east of Minneapolis. We are surrounded by great waters and fishing areas. I’m anxious to start watching your other videos. Thank you again for your time and help with your channel. God bless.
Yea, this was one of those flies that was a great surprise
Very cool. Thanks for sharing your best bluegill fly & sharing your experience with it. I can't wait to try this.
Glad you like it. It really does work.
I love trying different flies. Who knows what is the next best fly ever.
Came to this video from one of your other videos. Enjoyed it, glad I found your channel. Subscribed.
Looking forward to more.
Awesome, thank you!
Nice Tie.
Thanks for your experienced wisdom. Also thanks for sharing this bug.
Thanks for the generous comments and keep on fishing.
Thanks for the pattern. I'm going to have to tie some of these up for my kids. I made something similar that i like to call a micro bugger, but i didn't have the swept back hackles going. That's a nice touch!
Glad you like it. The fly really works well for me.
So after watching this video several days ago I did Tie up two and took them out today to fish. I was very happy with it. I caught lots of bluegills and a bass. Then the next fish I hooked must have been a large bass because it fought so hard before breaking off and stealing my fly. I gave one to a new fly fisher friend who caught her first fish on her fly rod with this pattern. I’m happy I tried it. Now I have to tie a lot more!!
Barbara, Glad the fly worked so well for you. I've even had big catfish strike it. Thanks!
That could've been a catfish that broke you off.
I found you. It was great to talk to you on the Current today. I only caught one brownie but he was a chunk. I forgot my streamer box at home. Keep tying and taping these shows my friend.
It was great talking to you on the river. Your a true fly fisherman. Hope to see you again. Thanks.
Love it! Can’t wait to tie some up and try some on some local bluegill.
Can't beat bluegill on a fly rod. Thanks!
I was glad to find someone that's shared their passion for bluegill fishing. It's about all Zi fish for here in Indiana . I really like the purple in the variation.
Yea, I love bluegill. I also think they are the best tasting fish.
Thanks!
Well.lol I do like perch, and walleye. But the bluegill are minutes away. Perch, and walleye requires to much driving for me. I just love the fight on a three weight, or tenkara.
Thanks Robert. I catch trout down here in Georgia, however some of my inlaws live on a pond in Indiana. My favorite is a elk hair Caddis on top.
Yea, elk hair caddis is a great fly. Easy to see, and usually works.
I'm a relatively new tyer - but appreciate good equipment. been tying for a few years but never saw your bobbin around.
I use a simple bobbin. Just two wires hold the thread spool. I use a threading tool to pull the thread through the bobbin tube.
Great video. Plenty of trout fly videos, but not much out there on sun fish patterns. Thanks for the info.
Harry, yea I love bluegill.
Its been so long since i tied a fly, probably 20 years ago as a junior high student visiting my old man on the weekends. Hell he wasnt even 30 haha. Ive always thought it amazing how one little thing can make a fly really come together. Looks like a mess one minute, one of the best flies in the box a minute later. I just got back into steelhead fishing and need to get back to tying. Theres just a few flies i use, just different colors, sizes, beaded or not. Woolly buggers of course, egg sucking leaches, hares ears, copper johns, and a couple other random nymphs, nuke eggs. Though I switched to centerpin i love using tackle for both spinning rods and flies
Fly tying is the best. You can get the exact pattern you need. Its also a lot of fun.
I hope it works too, my wife LOVES bluegill. If I catch enough bluegill to keep my wife happy she'll never give me a hard time about fishing again. Keep the good stuff coming
Yea, wives can put a lot of pressure on you. But at least it keeps you fishing. Thanks for watching.
In my marriage I’m the one always gone fishing!
@@barbaraemerich1921 Well, someone has to do it.
@@Callaweginflyfishing yes I do!! I tied up five more today!!
I'll try, Thanks!
Like you I love bluegill fishing I love to eat them here in South Louisiana we have bluegill everywhere I will be tie some up and hope I catch a lot in this area thanks for the video buddy
Bluegill are great, not near as picky as trout. Thanks for watching.
Thank you.
You're welcome!
That fly is a work of art!!
Thanks, it is a productive fly.
Nice fly and easy tie....
Going to build and try on 1 size larger hook...
Living in Florida our blue gill and shell crackers are larger and will let you know how it goes...
Phillipe....
Good luck!
Looks very nice!
It really is about the only fly I use for Bluegill.
Nice fly!
Thanks! 👍
Got out of fly fishing quit a few years ago, gave everything away. Thinking about getting back into it for pan fish and possibly trout fishing here in several Missouri trout parks, Merrimack Springs, Bennette Springs etc.. Not going the split bamboo route, just looking for fair priced rod, reel and line, I don’t know what rod might work best, either weight or length. What would your suggestion be for length, weight and “line”. Been away from it long enough to forget all the particulars about line. Appreciate your thoughts. Thanks for taking the time to make the video, very educational and enjoyable to watch. We’re from west central MO.
Jack, Get back into fly fishing. Its the best thing ever.
Very nice pattern I'll ty some up thanks for sharing
The fly works great. I usually have 8 or 10 in my box.
Thanks. I do a lot of bluegill fishing down here in the FL Panhandle. I’ll tie up some of these. Please post a materials list with these videos. For example, I’d like to know what bead to get for this fly - is it tungsten? Anyway, I like your videos - keep up the good work.
I've used both tungsten and brass beads. I usually also use lead wire, need to make them sink.
@@Callaweginflyfishing thanks!
I’ve tied similar for bluegill, gonna give this a try, gettin close to bedding here in south Michigan 👍
Yea, not yet bedding hear in Missouri, but getting close.
Always enjoy watching people tie flies. First time I saw a person fly fishing was near Cleveland . My uncle could not keep fish off his fly. That must have been early 50s
Ken, Yea I love both tying flies and fly fishing. There is nothing more satisfying than coming up with your own pattern and seeing it actually work.
I used float the Snake River in Idaho during the summer months 3 times per week below the Palasade Dam. Lose to the dam we usually caught Brown trout and Cutthroat. I tied my own flies. Nothing more rewarding than to see a trout take your fly when a natural salmon fly was floating just beside it🥴
Looks good to me. I’ll have to try it. Thanks. Tight lines🕷️🐜🐛!!!!
You won't regret it. Thanks!
Great fly! Tight lines🪰🐜🦗!!!!!
Yea, it really produces. Thanks.
Very nice fly!
Yea, It really works well.
Great lookin fly. Makes me want to try a larger version with a jig hook for largemouth and fish it like a bucktail
Sounds like a good idea!
A great fly has become my favorite .
Yea, Its the fly I usually use to locate the Bluegill. If they are there, they will hit it. Thanks.
This fly looks awesome. Would you please share what kind of UV light you are using. Thank you.
I got the light at Bass Pro. It just looks like a small flash light. The brand was "Seasons on the fly". It cost about $20.
@@Callaweginflyfishing Thank you for the information
Thanks for the video. Would you mind sharing more about the neck hackle you use? Name brand, size, and color would be helpful. Thanks!
The neck hackle was just some large saddle hackle, black. Not really soft hackle, but not dry fly hackle either. Not sure of the brand.
besides the fly, love the old bobbin. what you using?
Not sure of the brand. Just a standard bobbin. I use a threading tool to get the thread through the bobbin tube.
How does this fly work on Trout? I found a small trout pond/stream, it's still iced over just wondering.
Not sure, never tried it for trout. I expect trout would hit it. Thanks!
I’m sure this works great but in all honesty the greatest bluegill fly of all time is probably a size 10 or 12 bead head prince. Most fun fly for bluegills would likely go to a foam spider or small popper. Enjoyed the video man. Keep it up!
On the rare occasion that this fly is not working, I usually go to the small popper. Thanks for watching.
Good video.
Thanks!
What size & type of gold bead do you recommend to go on that #10 hook? I was overwhelmed when I saw all the sizes and options available. Thanks so much for your help.
I think it was 5 mm. I recommend that you get 5 mm max and several smaller sizes.
Thank you for the reply and help. Tight lines my friend!
@@Callaweginflyfishing
I put a cheap medium size black fly on my fly rod a few years ago and it is still on there. I catch crappy all the time every time I go out.... winter, spring, summer or fall..
Yea, you never know what will work.
Would appreciate detail descriptions and specifications for the required tying materials and components
The tail is barbs from a black neck feather, with some red tinsel and mylar flash. The body is black dubbing. The ribbing is red tinsel. The front wings are a wrapped black neck hackle. The front dubbing is any color other than black, I like grey. The video gives the tying details. Thanks.
How long of a leader do you use with this fly? DTF line? I really want to try this fly as I too love blue gills.
Usually about 9 ft. As I pull towards the boat, I low the retrieve. The fly probably runs about 4 to 6 ft deep.
Have you ever tried using a weight forward floating fly line? It's much easier to cast than a DT. My preference for panfish is 5 weight 9' 3" fast tip rod paired with a 5 weight forward floating line. It's also great for bass. My profile pic is a 5# largemouth caught on my Orvis 9' 3" fast tip rod with 2# Vanish and #10 bluegill wet fly
I normally use 9' to 12' of 2 # Berkley Vanish for wet fly fishing. If you're into bigger 9 to 10 inch fish, you can increase to 4#.
Also, for wet fly fishing to increase the visibility of the tippet , apply silicon paste on the first 3 or 4 feet from the fly line. This adds floatation and visibility for a better bite indication. I call this a "tick" in the line. It's when the fish mouths the fly. Floats and indicators work but sometimes spook the fish.
Detection of the "tick" is a game changer when it comes to catching the bigger and wiser bluegills. Bluegills are easy to catch, big bluegills take more finesse and quicker responses to the bite.
Good luck, and I hope this helps with your successful fishing adventures.
Nice fly what part of Missouri are you from.
Live near Fulton, Mid Missouri. Usually fish in South Missouri.
New follower. It definitely looks like that fly would take a beating from the fish.
Yea, it does. I've caught 20 bluegill in a row on one fly. It works great. Thanks!
Thanks for a fine bluegill fly as I enjoy fishin for bluegills myself. Keep the videos coming, thank you. God Bless n fish on!
Yea, I love Bluegill and on a fly rod they all feel like lunkers. Thanks for watching.
Best sunfish fly I have is a floating rubber spider really small like #10 or 12 hook size no bead or any weight so it is a totally floating lure. Black body with white legs I cast it out, let it rest a bit then twitch it lightly on the retrieve bluegills and sunfish can't resist it. Just the ticket for when fish are surface feeding on insects.
Small spider sounds good. I may come up with a spider design and tie it. Thanks
A suggestion for the name: "Best Fly Ever"; and a question, what vise is it you're using. (I know its a rotary vise, I'd like to know the make, model & how its held up, etc. I have a feeling I'm not alone.)
John, I bought the vice from Bass Pro about 25 years ago. It was made or distributed by a company called Peak Fishing. They were based in Colorado. It has a heavy square base that just sits on the table, not bolted down. I like it because I can move it around but the base is heavy enough to hold it steady while I work.
@@Callaweginflyfishing, That's one of the ones I've been looking at, along with the Mongoose by, I believe, Montana Vice Company. Both are about the same price at Cabela's and at The Fly Shop (if you ever visit Northern California, they're up by Redding and well worth the visit). In fact, I've been completely happy with the stainless steel non-rotating vice I bought from them over two decades ago that came with a clamp, two pairs of jaws and a stem extension for about $50.00. I added the Griffith after market base they still carry for about $35.00 in their catalog. Unfortunately, they haven't carried that particular vice for a very long time. ("Too 'Good' of a deal" to stay in business? If so, too bad.) So, in the words of Elvis Presley: "Thank you. Thank you very much", for responding.
Hi, John. This is the Peak Rotary. At my Bass Pro they are currently selling for $205!
Interesting fly/ would be a good dropper behind a popper :)
Yea, it works really well.
Excellent
Thank you so much 😀
In Idaho I was watching a professional fly tier , he has said he made $18,000 per year tying flies. He had several ladies working for him. I asked how many flies can you tie per hour. He said 5-6. Well poo I could tie that many. Then he added dozen.🥴
Sounds like way too much work!
When you work the fly are you letting it hit the bottom before you start working it back?
No, usually I start working is back 1 or 2 seconds after it hits. I work it slow so it sinks about 6" or so. Usually the water is only a couple feet deep where I work it.
@@Callaweginflyfishing I tied some BBF flies and had terrific success with large bluegills and some bass. We have a feeder on our pond and when that shoots feed it has been difficult to interest the fish with anything else. But with the BBF I was continuing to catch fish both during and after the feeder stopped. It was impressive. As you said, the fish tore up the flies with all of the action. Thanks for the great pattern.
@@brianwilson526 Brian, I'm really not sure why that fly works so well. On a new lake, I always start with it to verify that there are fish. Glad it worked well for you. Thanks!
@@Callaweginflyfishing
@@Callaweginflyfishing
You may have to add catfish to the best blue gill ever fly. Today I horsed in two large cats with the bbg fly on 4x tippett. They both took the fly on the bottom lip and it took about 20 minutes to land them. I had no net so I had to use forceps to get them on land. The blue gills that I’m catching are just over 10” probably because there is a feeder that feeds them daily.
I'd call it the black magic
That sounds like a good name. Thanks!
I fish a yellow foam humpy with a brown Kip tail . I think the tail looks like a suck from a may fly to them.. If their feeding on the surface,l haven’t found anything better. You’re fly would make a great dropper.
I like a renegade popper for surface feeding bluegill. Thanks for the comment.
That almost resembles a soldier fly. Something along those lines should do well. A soldier fly is commonly found. It's big and tasty (to a bream lol) and stingless.
This was one of those flies that I just threw together and was amazed at how well it worked.
The double b f e......the bbfe
Never really named it.
The best bluegill fly ever is a red worm.
Your right, but I quit bait fishing some time ago.
@@Callaweginflyfishing san juan 😼
I am like you or you are like me...eat all the bluegill,red ear,,warmouth etc...fish form them constantly,,,and I also use bedhead pheasant tail fly
Yea, Pheasant tail is a good fly for every thing.
😬
Thanks for watching
I sometimes literally just tie a piece of frayed yarn to the bend of a hook with a square knot. Bluegill are the dumbest creatures on earth... maybe turtles, but I still think bluegill. I've even caught bluegill on a bare 1/32oz jig head. My point is, that's a beautiful fly, fish what works for you. There's no right or wrong way to fish.
Yea, I caught one on a cigarette but once.
@@Callaweginflyfishingmaybe fish like nicotine lol