The Bluegill – Lots of Fun in a Small Package

[Mark]

I will be making the subject presentation at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, 18 March. The location will be the Free State Fly Fishers’ clubhouse at 3789 Queen Anne Bridge Road, Davidsonville, Maryland.

This link provides directions to clubhouse: https://fs-ff.com/index.php/clubhouse-location/

My talk will include:

• The ecology of bluegills, including habitat, diet, and spawning rituals.
• Gear – I will have on hand the fly rods, lines, leaders and flies I use to target bluegills.
• Fly retrieval techniques for topwater and subsurface offerings.
• Photographs of precisely where to cast flies for bluegills from spring through the early fall.
• Annotated maps of my favorite local bluegill waters.
• A bonus – The ongoing efforts of an Asian country to rid itself of bluegills. The irony here is that the fish were a well-intentioned diplomatic “gift” from the U.S.

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There is no admission fee for your attendance. The cost is just 60 to 75 minutes or so of your time.

You will be the guests of the Free State Fly Fishers, (http://fs-ff.com/), friendly folks who target all common tidal and freshwater fish species here in the mid-Chesapeake region. I say that because so often fly fishing is associated with freshwater trout. We pursue trout. But also, we enjoy using fly gear to catch the warm water species discussed on this forum – bluegills, bass, perch, stripers, chain picks, etc. And we have an active and growing fleet of kayak flyrodders among our members.

So, why not spend a Saturday morning in March with likeminded folks to discuss a little fish that is both fun to catch and a tenacious squatter when introduced to alien waters?

Please join us. It will be fun.

I hope to see you at the session.

Thank you.

[bignose]

For a lot of us, this was the "first fish."

[kevinfry]

Love flyfishing for Gills

[Mark]

Stu,

That's very true.

A bluegill wasn't my first fish. But it was my first fish on the fly.

I've since caught many freshwater and saltwater species on flies. But I never tire of catching bluegills.

They are the perfect fish to introduce anglers to the fly rod. We learn how to cast a fly line in the quiet waters they prefer. Then we grasp the different ways to manipulate the fly to entice a bite. And soon we master how to set the hook when the fish strikes. These are fundamental skills for all fly anglers who seek to progress in the hobby.

I was captivated when my first bluegill smacked the daylights out of a small popper that I clumsily offered during my first casts with the long rod. I became hooked on the fish and the method.

So, a bluegill is an excellent teacher. Plus it's a colorful feisty fish that fights far above its weight class.

[dsaavedra]

Bluegill sure are fun to catch, especially the larger ones. It's been many years since I caught a slab-sized bluegill... in fact I can't even remember the last bluegill I caught at all. I will try to be in attendance for your presentation Mark!

[Jigsup]

Ah the ol blue gill. Very fun on the fly rod, ultra light, or however you decide to target them. The blue gill was my first fish species I caught as a child learning how to fish. Exciting. Also very tasty. Should be a good listen. Will it be recorded?

[Mark]

Dave, Jigsup,

Thank you both for your interest.

Dave -- I look forward to seeing you there. I encourage others here to attend. I do not monopolize the discussion during my presentations. I welcome particpant questions and insights on topic. We'll learn from each other.

Jigsup -- It will not be recorded but my slides will appear on the FSFF website after the presentation. Or, if folks would like a personal copy, they can PM me and I will send them a PDF version.

[DanMarino]

Thanks for posting this Mark! Bluegills are a blessing. I never get tired of catching bluegills on surface flies.

[Mark]

Thanks for posting this Mark! Bluegills are a blessing. I never get tired of catching bluegills on surface flies.

Tom,

I hope you can attend. I think you'll enjoy it. Plus you can add a Tenkara perspective to my presentation.

[DanMarino]

I'll check my schedule Mark.

[Mark]

Just a reminder about my 10:00 a.m. bluegill presentation at the Free State Fly Fishers Davidsonville clubhouse on Saturday 18 March.

Directions: https://fs-ff.com/index.php/clubhouse-location/

The weather forecast is not promising for fishing that day. Double digit mph west/northwest winds and chilly temperatures will combine to make an uncomfortable and potentially unsafe kayak outing.

Instead of trying coax a few reluctant fish to bite in nasty weather, why not spend the morning indoors with other anglers at the FSFF clubhouse?

In addition to great company and hot coffee, you’ll add a few Latin and Greek words to your vocabulary as I discuss the taxonomy of bluegills. You’ll also learn:

• about a world record largemouth bass caught in a surprise location thanks in part to bluegills
• what flies to cast for the biggest bluegills
• precisely where I catch the chunkiest bluegills at three of my favorite bluegill sites

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I hope to see you there.

[UnkleRob2020]

Mark,

That sounds really cool and I hope to attend. Also, I have been reading more and more of your book and it is fantastic and I am grateful for your knowledge and experience. As Stu mentioned, it was my "first fish" and also whenever someone asks me to take them fishing to introduce their young child to fishing (this happens a few times a year), I almost always get some worms and go bluegill fishing...watching a kid catch there first fish is priceless.

[Mark]

Thank you for the kind words Rob.

I hope you can make it.

[Mark]

Slightly over a dozen FSFF members and guests learned more about bluegills than they ever could have imagined yesterday -- from their many sunfish family "cousins", to their interesting reproduction habits, to their international travel and the ensuing problems they have caused in one host country in particular.

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It was a fun morning with excellent questions and input from the audience. I saw a few folks taking photos of my slides on bluegill fly fishing techniques and especially the annotated maps of my favorite bluegill sites.

Their interest should lead to even more entries in our annual FSFF bluegill contest which starts on 1 April.

[J. Rentch]

Great presentation Mark, learned a new information about these fish.