One never knows what One might encounter!
So I've been keeping pretty low in all this COVID-19 mess. To avoid crowds I've taken to much more angling on foot than boats or inflatable craft. It's actually been a fun challenge to find accessible water and to find a tug.The other day I watched my float disappear to the depths and set a solid hook into what I would have guessed to be a good smallie. When I finally got a look and saw the wally I couldn't have been more excited though I knew the chance of landing the toothy beast was still quite slim.
If you've followed any of my On The Hunt Series of articles than you know that I am a fan of float-n-fly fishing. While personally I find indicator nymphing for trout to be quite boring but something about this float and fly technique for warmwater predators just excites me to the very core. Maybe because it does not select a particular species instead it crosses over all species. Maybe it's because when nothing else wants to work I can count on this technique to produce something.
This is not the first walleye I've hooked on float and fly but it is the first one I've landed. I for sure have hook at least a couple others and they have either thrown the hook or bit me off. I've also encountered a couple bite offs that I never saw the fish and suspect these were walleye as well.
A Galvan Torque Reel size #6 in blue is a great look and fit. A #7 would also fit well and give you a little more backing capacity
Line is a Scientific Anglers Amplitude Smooth Titan Long WF7F. I feel like this line was made for this rod. It will move anything in short cast and in capable hands go for any distance you want even to the end of the line.
I custom make my own float and fly leaders from Maxima for the butt section to Scientific Anglers Absolute Fluorocarbon Tippet. This tippet proved its worth against those sharp walleye teeth, or maybe a got lucky! Regardless the tippet did its job.
I tie my own flies but the new Solitude Drop Dead Minnow will get you started in this technique.
The addition of this walleye boost my total Float & Fly species count now to fifteen. Who's up for some fish tacos!
My System
I have found my Thomas and Thomas Exocett SS 200gr rod to be the most ideal one rod to carry while on foot. It responds with authority to every command I give it. Lift, strip, hookset and cast are all commanded with this rod. It easily crosses over from topwater bugs, streamers and float-n-fly providing a truly universal shore stalker tool.A Galvan Torque Reel size #6 in blue is a great look and fit. A #7 would also fit well and give you a little more backing capacity
Line is a Scientific Anglers Amplitude Smooth Titan Long WF7F. I feel like this line was made for this rod. It will move anything in short cast and in capable hands go for any distance you want even to the end of the line.
I custom make my own float and fly leaders from Maxima for the butt section to Scientific Anglers Absolute Fluorocarbon Tippet. This tippet proved its worth against those sharp walleye teeth, or maybe a got lucky! Regardless the tippet did its job.
I tie my own flies but the new Solitude Drop Dead Minnow will get you started in this technique.
The addition of this walleye boost my total Float & Fly species count now to fifteen. Who's up for some fish tacos!
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| I'll see you on the water...But you won't see me! |
Greg Darling
Read more "On the Hunt Series"
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Sweet! Good job Greg.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mike. So this happened the other day....I got out on the water in a completely different spot and caught another walleye on float and fly. Funny it was years without landing a walleye on fly and now two landed in two trips.
ReplyDeleteSure would like to know the recipe for that fly?
ReplyDelete