FLY FISHING FOR CATFISH

Fly fishing for catfish is a pro-active type of fishing as opposed to the more passive type of fishing we normally associate with this species. One cannot set back and wait for the fish to get the scent of a nightcrawler, cheese or dip bait. The fly fishing angler goes where the fish are and puts the bait on their nose.

The lower one third of a river is the favorite waters for this type of fishing. The size and aggressiveness of catfish tends to be less as one goes upstream.

The water to the lower areas tends to spread out and back up into the shallows. There is more wood in this section of a river and there are some flats available.

A popular staple of the fly fishing sport is a Number 8 rod. Attach a reel spooled with 27 pound Dacron backing, a fly line that is a standard weight forward one with a ten foot sinking section and you have a catfishing machine. The tippet is a fish deceiver. It is two foot of six-pound test monofilament line.

For lures, flys that imitate minnows work most effectively. Flys with eyes are probably best. These are often called streamer type lures. For color, light blue and white with some flash to them are a good choice. The idea is to imitate shad and goldeneye baitfish.

On the water look for shallow water of six foot or less near two to three foot deep water. It is not productive to fish deeper than ten foot. The fish are usually feeding up on a sand or gravel bar. Most often the early morning hours are the most productive with late evening being a second choice. In very clear water you can try the daylight hours. Some anglers will use a slip bobber to locate feeding fish.

The angler casts downstream and allows the line to drift across the bar as he makes a slow jerk retrieve. This action allows the current to swing the fly in a semicircle. The rod is used to bring it back to the edge of the deeper water or main channel.

You have to let the fish see the fly. Bump it off his nose.

Catfishing is a situational type of angling. There really is no perfect all purpose catfishing tackle. Always take multiple rods when going out on the river. What rod to use is dependant upon the area and water conditions. The fly rod approach is a very satisfying way to catch Mr. Whiskers.

Don Gasaway – The Ground Pounder

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