Grizzly King
Fly of the Month 6.26 - Panfish Fly
In North America, the panfish tradition has been long established, but fly fishing for a species
which are not gamefish has slowly developed a following in the UK and the rest of Europe as an
accessible form of sport fishing.
A panfish is likely to be one of the first fish caught while growing up. They are traditionally not
considered to be a gamefish but rather a fish for the pot or pan. Currently, fly fishing for panfish
using catch-and-release is equally acceptable to catch-and-eat - where regulations allow
harvesting. Some traditional panfish might be protected (and not available to cook and eat) or
have strict catch sizes or limits for conservation reasons.
Panfish Species - Panfish are not a single species but a branch of fishing for small edible fish that
fit in a pot or pan. Here are the most common target panfish species:
Bluegill, Flier, Green Sunfish, Longear, Pumpkinseed, Redear, Warmouth are the larger seven
species of sunfish that are most sought after. In North America, Bluegill sunfish are most
abundant and the prime target species.
Black Crappie, White Crappie despite the name, is regarded as the best-tasting panfish for those
that stray from catch-and-release and seek a meal of fish from the fry pan.
White or Yellow Perch in America and Canada and European perch are considered panfish as
well. Some anglers might include rock bass, carp, catfish and sucker on the list. Locally, anglers
call carp a Carolina bonefish and a white sucker a mountain bonefish, though for sport. In
Europe fly fishing for Chubb is increasingly popular though for sport, not for the pan.
Panfish Fly
Choosing the best panfish fly patterns requires a little bit of knowledge on where and what these
species of fish feed on. A panfish will take almost any reasonable fly pattern but not all flies are
practical panfish flies, so choosing the right patterns will definitely help improve the odds of
catching more of these fish for releasing them or for feeding everyone.
Panfish will certainly take many of the traditional fly fishing fly patterns and the usual life cycle
of aquatic food will form part of their diet. Mayfly Dun, adult Caddis, Damselfly, Dragonfly, egg
laying aquatic insects, spinners, emergers, waterborne pupa, larva and nymphs all form part of
the food chain. Yet because of the smaller mouth, many trout fly patterns will catch panfish but
the release may be difficult and harmful to the fish.
Best Terrestrial Flies for Panfish: Terrestrials include non-aquatic flies such as dead wasps,
spiders, caterpillars which have fallen from waterside vegetation. These fly patterns stand out:
Foam Hopper - A green or brown grasshopper with rubber or plastic legs appropriately sized.
Foam Beetle - Sizable and most abundant along highly vegetated banks along the edges of water.
Foam Ant - Successful for panfish as well as trout.
Best Wet Flies For Panfish: These fly patterns are also classic trout wet fly patterns.
The McGinty Wet Fly is nearly 150 years old. The McGinty was developed in 1883 by Charles
McGinty. The fly pattern was originally intended for bass fishing, yet over time has gained
popularity among trout anglers as well. This fly pattern is highly visible in murky conditions.
With a striking black and yellow chenille barred striped body this is waspish or “bumblebee” in
its looks, has a red game cock tag, and soft brown hackle for some movement.
The Black Spider is a superb and simple “best panfish fly” pattern – another one which will
catch trout too. A black wool or seal’s fur body, soft long black hackle for movement. This fly
has caught fish for probably well over a hundred years. The dense black profile performs as well
as some of the more brightly colored dressings when fished in rather colored water.
Red Tag Wet Fly originated from the UK and is highly used in the “land down under” as a beetle
imitation for trout and panfish. It is tied with peacock herl and a red wool tag end and with soft
long brown hackle for some leg-like movement.
Best Streamers For Panfish: Opt for smaller sizes to accommodate the tiny mouths of panfish:
The Clouser Minnow is a versatile streamer pattern, especially effective when fishing for perch
and crappie. Its shimmering underwater movement, large buggy eyes and a flexible hair wing
body makes it an irresistible lure for bluegill and other sunfish. It is a tried and trusted pattern for
many species of fish.
The Woolly Bugger fly has a bit more movement and effective for catching most fish.
The Zonker is a “best panfish fly” and a fly pattern that offers a super-mobile action in the water
for catching most fish.
Just like fishing with worms or corn, panfish are opportunists that tend to suck and swallow very
quickly any fly that attracts their attention. So, selecting flies that hook panfish but are shaped or
sized to not be swallowed should be considered. The sunfish family in particular have very small
mouths which make it difficult to remove the fly that has been sucked in deep.
Since all fish are cannibalistic, fish fry fly patterns and streamer fly patterns are on the list of best
panfish flies. Streamers - Provided these are correctly sized then streamers should be a good
panfish offering. Remember panfish are generally going to be a bit smaller than some other
target fish for the fly fisher so need to represent something they would wish to eat, can get their
mouth around (and let you put a hook in).
Panfish are relatively small carnivorous aggressive fish typically. So a fly pattern with a bit of
action and wiggle and looking alive and perhaps trying to escape will more likely be taken. An
imitation of a food source can be good but does not need to be a precise copy. Anything that at a
quick glance looks like something a panfish would eat will be in with good odds. These are
smaller fish so hook sizes will tend to be smaller too. Elements of attraction will be an effective
component of many, perhaps most, of the most effective panfish flies. Flash, sparkle, bright
colors or sound effects such as ripples and plops all have a place.
Whether a beginner or a seasoned angler, here are the 12 Best Panfish fly patterns, overall:
The Elk Hair Caddis is exceptionally effective in shallow water or near water structures. Once
you use it, you’ll be in awe of the number of fish it helps you land. This phenomenal dry fly was
first crafted by Al Troth, a pioneer in fly tying, in 1957.
The Prince Nymph with copper wire ribbing over the body, and optionally a copper, brass or
tungsten bead head is one of the most effective panfish fly patterns and is suitably heavy to get
down to the level of deeper feeding fish.
J’s Grinchworm is a vibrant and flashy pattern and guaranteed lure for bluegill, perch, and even
trout. With an eye-catching chartreuse color and lifelike movement, this fly pattern is irresistible
to panfish. Its jointed body and rubber legs create a convincing sense of motion underwater that
fish find hard to resist.
The Creature is a deadly subsurface pattern for many species of warm water fish. The Creature is
tied with dust mop/bath mat material. “Mop Flies” as they are generically called are loved by
some anglers and shunned by others.
The Soft Hackle Wet Fly is a must-have for any panfish fishing expedition. Once you master
your presentation, you’ll be amazed by the number of fish you catch with this versatile fly.
The Woolly Worm is the precursor to the Woolly Bugger and an incredibly versatile fly pattern
that mimics aquatic insects like hellgrammites and stoneflies, making it a favorite choice for fish.
The Panfish Wiggler is an adaptation of the Spring Wiggler a Michigan Steelhead nymph pattern
resized to fit into the small mouth of a panfish. This bead head fly swiftly reaches the strike zone
and is a highly effective streamer for bluegill, perch, crappie, and more.
Green Eyed Damselfly Nymphs are common across U. S. waters, making them an ideal fly for
panfish. Usually tied with chenille or ostrich herl or seals fur body to provide some movement
and replicate gill action. A larger nymph pattern on a size 8 or 10 hook to match the natural.
The F-C Mackie Bug, despite its odd appearance, is an excellent pattern that consistently nets
results. Its flashiness and plumpness make it an irresistible lure for fish. Note: F-C is an
abbreviation for Feather-Craft.
Poppers have a simple design but are highly effective. The satisfying plop onto the water’s
surface instantly attracts nearby fish. Correctly retrieved, the air bubble formed in the head cavity
‘pops’ and should arouse some interest when nothing else will.
And for the final top two, we present the Gypsy King and the Triangle Bug, both are swallow
resistant.
Gypsy King - Warm Water Variant
Foam Spiders are a fantastic choice for panfish. The lifelike movement attracts fish of all kinds.
Cast one near submerged structures, follow with a twitch and pause. A guaranteed catch awaits!
Fly of the Month 6.26a
Panfish Fly - Gypsy King - Warm Water Variant
Hook: Allen S402 or S402BL (barbless)
Size: 6, 8, 10, 12
Thread: Semperfli Classic Waxed 6/0, color to match body
Underbody: Semperfli Floating Poly Yarn, color of choice
Body: 2 mm foam, laminated foam for a bi-color effect
Underwing: 3 strands of Semperflash, doubled
Wing: Deer or elk hair in light or dark colors
Legs: Round Rubber or Silicon
Hackle: Grizzly rooster feathers, color of choice
Directions for the Triangle Bug:
1) Mount the hook in
- Tom Adams, Alen Baker
In North America, the panfish tradition has been long established, but fly fishing for a species
which are not gamefish has slowly developed a following in the UK and the rest of Europe as an
accessible form of sport fishing.
A panfish is likely to be one of the first fish caught while growing up. They are traditionally not
considered to be a gamefish but rather a fish for the pot or pan. Currently, fly fishing for panfish
using catch-and-release is equally acceptable to catch-and-eat - where regulations allow
harvesting. Some traditional panfish might be protected (and not available to cook and eat) or
have strict catch sizes or limits for conservation reasons.
Panfish Species - Panfish are not a single species but a branch of fishing for small edible fish that
fit in a pot or pan. Here are the most common target panfish species:
Bluegill, Flier, Green Sunfish, Longear, Pumpkinseed, Redear, Warmouth are the larger seven
species of sunfish that are most sought after. In North America, Bluegill sunfish are most
abundant and the prime target species.
Black Crappie, White Crappie despite the name, is regarded as the best-tasting panfish for those
that stray from catch-and-release and seek a meal of fish from the fry pan.
White or Yellow Perch in America and Canada and European perch are considered panfish as
well. Some anglers might include rock bass, carp, catfish and sucker on the list. Locally, anglers
call carp a Carolina bonefish and a white sucker a mountain bonefish, though for sport. In
Europe fly fishing for Chubb is increasingly popular though for sport, not for the pan.
Panfish Fly
Choosing the best panfish fly patterns requires a little bit of knowledge on where and what these
species of fish feed on. A panfish will take almost any reasonable fly pattern but not all flies are
practical panfish flies, so choosing the right patterns will definitely help improve the odds of
catching more of these fish for releasing them or for feeding everyone.
Panfish will certainly take many of the traditional fly fishing fly patterns and the usual life cycle
of aquatic food will form part of their diet. Mayfly Dun, adult Caddis, Damselfly, Dragonfly, egg
laying aquatic insects, spinners, emergers, waterborne pupa, larva and nymphs all form part of
the food chain. Yet because of the smaller mouth, many trout fly patterns will catch panfish but
the release may be difficult and harmful to the fish.
Best Terrestrial Flies for Panfish: Terrestrials include non-aquatic flies such as dead wasps,
spiders, caterpillars which have fallen from waterside vegetation. These fly patterns stand out:
Foam Hopper - A green or brown grasshopper with rubber or plastic legs appropriately sized.
Foam Beetle - Sizable and most abundant along highly vegetated banks along the edges of water.
Foam Ant - Successful for panfish as well as trout.
Best Wet Flies For Panfish: These fly patterns are also classic trout wet fly patterns.
The McGinty Wet Fly is nearly 150 years old. The McGinty was developed in 1883 by Charles
McGinty. The fly pattern was originally intended for bass fishing, yet over time has gained
popularity among trout anglers as well. This fly pattern is highly visible in murky conditions.
With a striking black and yellow chenille barred striped body this is waspish or “bumblebee” in
its looks, has a red game cock tag, and soft brown hackle for some movement.
The Black Spider is a superb and simple “best panfish fly” pattern – another one which will
catch trout too. A black wool or seal’s fur body, soft long black hackle for movement. This fly
has caught fish for probably well over a hundred years. The dense black profile performs as well
as some of the more brightly colored dressings when fished in rather colored water.
Red Tag Wet Fly originated from the UK and is highly used in the “land down under” as a beetle
imitation for trout and panfish. It is tied with peacock herl and a red wool tag end and with soft
long brown hackle for some leg-like movement.
Best Streamers For Panfish: Opt for smaller sizes to accommodate the tiny mouths of panfish:
The Clouser Minnow is a versatile streamer pattern, especially effective when fishing for perch
and crappie. Its shimmering underwater movement, large buggy eyes and a flexible hair wing
body makes it an irresistible lure for bluegill and other sunfish. It is a tried and trusted pattern for
many species of fish.
The Woolly Bugger fly has a bit more movement and effective for catching most fish.
The Zonker is a “best panfish fly” and a fly pattern that offers a super-mobile action in the water
for catching most fish.
Just like fishing with worms or corn, panfish are opportunists that tend to suck and swallow very
quickly any fly that attracts their attention. So, selecting flies that hook panfish but are shaped or
sized to not be swallowed should be considered. The sunfish family in particular have very small
mouths which make it difficult to remove the fly that has been sucked in deep.
Since all fish are cannibalistic, fish fry fly patterns and streamer fly patterns are on the list of best
panfish flies. Streamers - Provided these are correctly sized then streamers should be a good
panfish offering. Remember panfish are generally going to be a bit smaller than some other
target fish for the fly fisher so need to represent something they would wish to eat, can get their
mouth around (and let you put a hook in).
Panfish are relatively small carnivorous aggressive fish typically. So a fly pattern with a bit of
action and wiggle and looking alive and perhaps trying to escape will more likely be taken. An
imitation of a food source can be good but does not need to be a precise copy. Anything that at a
quick glance looks like something a panfish would eat will be in with good odds. These are
smaller fish so hook sizes will tend to be smaller too. Elements of attraction will be an effective
component of many, perhaps most, of the most effective panfish flies. Flash, sparkle, bright
colors or sound effects such as ripples and plops all have a place.
Whether a beginner or a seasoned angler, here are the 12 Best Panfish fly patterns, overall:
The Elk Hair Caddis is exceptionally effective in shallow water or near water structures. Once
you use it, you’ll be in awe of the number of fish it helps you land. This phenomenal dry fly was
first crafted by Al Troth, a pioneer in fly tying, in 1957.
The Prince Nymph with copper wire ribbing over the body, and optionally a copper, brass or
tungsten bead head is one of the most effective panfish fly patterns and is suitably heavy to get
down to the level of deeper feeding fish.
J’s Grinchworm is a vibrant and flashy pattern and guaranteed lure for bluegill, perch, and even
trout. With an eye-catching chartreuse color and lifelike movement, this fly pattern is irresistible
to panfish. Its jointed body and rubber legs create a convincing sense of motion underwater that
fish find hard to resist.
The Creature is a deadly subsurface pattern for many species of warm water fish. The Creature is
tied with dust mop/bath mat material. “Mop Flies” as they are generically called are loved by
some anglers and shunned by others.
The Soft Hackle Wet Fly is a must-have for any panfish fishing expedition. Once you master
your presentation, you’ll be amazed by the number of fish you catch with this versatile fly.
The Woolly Worm is the precursor to the Woolly Bugger and an incredibly versatile fly pattern
that mimics aquatic insects like hellgrammites and stoneflies, making it a favorite choice for fish.
The Panfish Wiggler is an adaptation of the Spring Wiggler a Michigan Steelhead nymph pattern
resized to fit into the small mouth of a panfish. This bead head fly swiftly reaches the strike zone
and is a highly effective streamer for bluegill, perch, crappie, and more.
Green Eyed Damselfly Nymphs are common across U. S. waters, making them an ideal fly for
panfish. Usually tied with chenille or ostrich herl or seals fur body to provide some movement
and replicate gill action. A larger nymph pattern on a size 8 or 10 hook to match the natural.
The F-C Mackie Bug, despite its odd appearance, is an excellent pattern that consistently nets
results. Its flashiness and plumpness make it an irresistible lure for fish. Note: F-C is an
abbreviation for Feather-Craft.
Poppers have a simple design but are highly effective. The satisfying plop onto the water’s
surface instantly attracts nearby fish. Correctly retrieved, the air bubble formed in the head cavity
‘pops’ and should arouse some interest when nothing else will.
And for the final top two, we present the Gypsy King and the Triangle Bug, both are swallow
resistant.
Gypsy King - Warm Water Variant
Foam Spiders are a fantastic choice for panfish. The lifelike movement attracts fish of all kinds.
Cast one near submerged structures, follow with a twitch and pause. A guaranteed catch awaits!
Fly of the Month 6.26a
Panfish Fly - Gypsy King - Warm Water Variant
Hook: Allen S402 or S402BL (barbless)
Size: 6, 8, 10, 12
Thread: Semperfli Classic Waxed 6/0, color to match body
Underbody: Semperfli Floating Poly Yarn, color of choice
Body: 2 mm foam, laminated foam for a bi-color effect
Underwing: 3 strands of Semperflash, doubled
Wing: Deer or elk hair in light or dark colors
Legs: Round Rubber or Silicon
Hackle: Grizzly rooster feathers, color of choice
Directions for the Triangle Bug:
1) Mount the hook in
- Tom Adams, Alen Baker