We started with an eight foot cane pole and 6 feet of 4 pound line. Next we tied on a 3 foot piece of 2 pound test line to the end of the 4 pound line. Next tie a small dry fly to the 2 pound leader, mine resembled a red ant. Put a the smallest split sinker you can find just about a foot above the dry fly - you want it to sink slowly.
Then place a small bobber 1 to 3 feet up the line from the small dry fly. You may have to experiment to find the correct distance.
The bobber serves two functions. It is a weight for tossing the fly into the water and it signals when a fish has taken the fly. If you use a small 1/2 inch bobber so you don't scare the fish, the splash just gets their interest. If the fish don't bite as soon as the fly hits the water just start a slow pull-and-pause retrieve.
Now we all know that Bluegill and other small sunfish are the easiest to learn to catch. They live near the shore along the weed lines or around rocks and boulders. They love the weedy, warm water, that is where their food is. They also live under the drip line of trees that hang out over the water, the small insects fall off the leaves into the water, it is just like a buffet for the pan fish.
Cast the line just past the visible water plants if possible or into holes in the water plants or lily pads. Use a swing out type cast, the kids will want to wind up and cast just like you do - over the shoulder. You can also cast under overhanging trees, brush piles, or rip rap areas close to the shore.
When the bobber goes under or moves through the water you have a fish.
This works well in late spring and early summer as the insect hatches occur. After that I tie on a Woolly Bugger on a #12 hook to the end of the line and fish the same way using a pull-and-pause retrieve to resemble young of the year minnows, Bluegill or Crappie. You can also use a nymph or a streamer later on the in the year. Around where I fish the Bluegill seem to like black or an olive-brown color.
If they are not interested in the minnows I cast overhanging trees using a 1/100 oz. jig with either a black body and black marabou or a black body and green marabou. You just cast under the trees and allow the jig to slowly drop down. Here also you may have to experiment with just a bit of weight about half way between the jig and the bobber.
This method imitates an insect that has fallen off the tree above the water. The pan fish are use to seeing and eating these. If you use a streamer type fly it resembles a minnow trying to get to the bottom after eating an insect.
Just be warned this kind of fishing is addictive as you can catch a lot of fish and you will occasionally get a small channel cat or a small bass as a surprise.
Good Fishing
The Pan Fishing Maniac.
