Wendy pushed me out front door yesterday and made me go fishing! No, seriously, that's how it happened. We were lucky enough to have a vehicle that her step dad loaned us which helped me get to a local fishing spot that I love. It almost always produces a few bites and yesterday was no different. I was a little surprised at the fact that I caught 5-7 fish in the middle of the afternoon on a bright summer day. I also caught a bigger-than-average bass for this lake as well. What did the trick was a tandem wooly bugger rig. I used an olive and white wooly as well as a wooly that was completely white except for some grizzly hackle. It seemed like the bass wanted the white one and the bluegill wanted the olive and white one. They all came from slightly deeper water and were not held up in cover in the shallows.
I'm not kidding when I say that I might not ever throw a single wooly bugger ever again! The casting is easy and knots are uncommon. It is also important to note that I don't consider myself some sort of fly casting guru. I'm average at best and if I can do this, you can too! I also really like the ability to not have to only throw one color of fly. I could throw an all black one and all white one if I felt completely lost in a situation. Finally, I like the idea that the first fly might get a fish's attention and that the second fly that comes along might be enough to get the fish to bite as it might already be keyed up to bite.
As for specifics of the rig, I use a 6 foot leader to the first fly. I use 6-10 pound fluorocarbon that is right off a spool. From there, I tie an improved clinch knot on the bend of the hook of the first fly. I then run about 16 inches of line to the next wooly. It takes a little time but it isn't difficult by any means. Again, if I can do it, you can do it. I hope you give this rig a shot and I hope it helps you put more fish in your hands.
To pick up your own woolies, feel free to visit my online fly shop. Just click on the link below and thank you for any support that you are willing to send my way. All purchases are greatly appreciated and I promise that I tie these flies to the best of my abilities!
Great blog! Have you tried Todd's Wiggle minnow?
ReplyDeleteI have not, but I've never heard a bad thing about it. What more can you tell me about it? What species does it target, how does it behave, etc.?
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