Eastern Shore Pond

[J. Rentch]

My friend Mark Bange and I fished an Eastern Shore Pond today and had good results. I was able to land some nice Pickerel on both a fly and spinning rod. This is my third time with a fly rod. I used a Joe Bruce “Bend Back fly” and a white paddletail for spinning.

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Mark was throwing his newly made articulated fly and had great results.
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FYI, the DNR police checked out licenses as we were about to leave, first time since 2015!

[bignose]

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You two shady characters don't look like you qualify for your senior licenses.

[J. Rentch]

Thanks Stu, some days I am sure I qualify!

[Mark]

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You two shady characters don't look like you qualify for your senior licenses.

Ha ha Stu.

I think I scared her. She asked me how fishing was but she didn't ask to see my license. She then asked to see John's license. I was feeling a bit neglected so I asked her if she'd like to see my license too. She did. I figured I'd make her visit worthwhile. it's the first time I have been checked in years.

As for fishing, John and I had a good day.

Articulated flies are becoming quite popular. A notable example is Joe Bruce's articulated bullethead darter. That's a fantastic fly. I think he should call it "Pickerel Candy". But I find it difficult to tie. I can make it but I'm never pleased with its appearance. Mine never look as polished as Joe's. Fortunately, the fish haven't been as critical of my work. Also, I like flies I can tie in 5 to 10 minutes tops. Bulletheads take me longer. So, earlier this week I was experimenting and came up with a very simple articulated fly. It's a bucktail in the back and crystal chenille in the front:

Articulated Fly.jpg

It's my "Fly With No Name." If by chance I copied an existing fly, it's purely coincidence. I had never seen one before.

The question for me today was would it work?

Here's the answer:

P1040531 (2).jpg P1040525 (2).jpg

John and I combined today for almost 2 dozen pickerel. We didn't catch them all on flies. We got a few on soft plastics rigged weedless with spinning rods. I got most of mine on the Fly With No Name. I'll keep tinkering with it but I was pleased. However, I'm most proud of John for taking up the long rod. He did quite well for only his third time on the water fly casting.

Lastly, even though it's technically spring at the hour I am typing this post, the pickerel were still in their winter pattern today. I got none near the shoreline. Open water on the flats was the key in finding them today.

[bignose]

I'm wondering how your no-name fly (Mark's articulated piker) would look with a red saddle hackle palmered around to build up a collar at the tie-in.
It would give you a bit more of a slower drop, and bulkier profile.
Think "Whistler" fly.
Are you wrapping some lead wire under the front section?

[Mark]

Thanks Stu.

Palmering hackle would be a nice touch and easily done. I'll try that.

I added no weight. I like flies for pickerel to suspend in the water column rather than drop suddenly.

However, I was using intermediate line today to get it just a tad deeper than floating line.

[Mark]

Thanks Stu.

Palmering hackle would be a nice touch and easily done. I'll try that.

I added no weight. I like flies for pickerel to suspend in the water column rather than drop suddenly.

However, I was using intermediate line today to get it just a tad deeper than floating line.

[bignose]

You'll need to wrap some fine wire around the palmer hackle or it will last exactly one fish. Lol

[DanMarino]

Nice going guys. Cool fly too, Mark. Fly fishing from a kayak is challenging for me. I gave it a go one afternoon last weekend and I'm out of practice for sure.

[Mark]

Tom,

It’s a cliche’ but let the rod do the work.

[J. Rentch]

I am definitely a newbie, but it’s fun. A switch from a spinning rod. But a challenge