Ice flys for panfish?

[Gus]

I think I remember reading about using flys for panfish through the ice last winter. I tried searching the site, but I didn't have any luck searching "ice Flys" Can anyone who does this tell me some keywords to look for or maybe just start talking about them? I'd really like to try this for some finicky panfish.

[d.roy]

I've thought about this too and am interested in any info on the subject. I've tied a couple "ice flies" already and am looking forward to trying them. Now we just need some ice!! What I've tied is basically a variation of a woolly bugger. I bought some 1/64 glow jig heads and have tied material to them - marabou and cactus chenille with some crystal flash. I imagine that they might work well plain or tipped with wax worm. I might also try experimenting with hackle, peacock hearl, and various dubbings tied as enhancements to some of my existing ice jigs. Just some ideas rolling around. Does anyone else tie any ice fly type stuff?

Did you sell your back pack yet Gus? That's a heck of a deal on a nice internal frame pack!

[Gus]

Let me know how you do on your patterns. I'm very curious about this. I still have the pack for sale.

Gus

[MuleSkinner]

First off, I will confess, I am not a fly fisherman. Never have tried it.

Now to the subject. Last March, while ice fishing for panfish, I talked to a guy who had his own homemade chair. That is all he carried onto the ice. Around the chair he had 16 (I counted 'em) homemade jigging rods with different flys on each one. While talking to him, I had him fish my holes where I knew fish marked on the vexilar (and I had been catching earlier), but I could not get them to bite my minnows or waxies. He caught 3 crappies out of my hole in less than 10 minutes!

He showed me his equipment. He used old typewriter ribbon spools for reels. The rods were unbelievable. But the action of the jig-flys was simply a thing of beauty. Looked like a butterfly flying in slow motion. Anyway, he knew how to tie ice lures, and knew how to catch panfish.

I looked for something similar in Gander, Scheels, and Sportsman warehouse. Not even close. I tried to improvise, but was a waste of time. I would like to get a few like he had, or try and make some. But my guess is you guys have many many years in tying, and end up with works of art, and some darn good lures.

I don't know if this guy I talked to ever is on this site. I believe he was from the New London area. Anyway, sure would like to get some of those fly jigs. Anyone know if they can be purchased somewhere? (Or is this taboo, like being a 'store bought cowboy'?)

[d.roy]

Muleskinner - I want some of those too! I've often thought that flies would work well for icefishing but have yet to try it. After reading of your run-in with the panfish guru I'm going to have to put some of these in my box for tough days. I have no idea where to start either. As for finding some flys to replicate what you saw, you might want to try going to a fly shop - you'll find a vast array of flies to look at and should be able to replicate what you saw. Don't be afraid to ask the fly shop guy questions either - they're good people and will be willing to help. Another idea might be to look through a color fly-tying recipe book - these can be found at fly shops, gander mtn, and regular book stores. Be sure to update us if you find anything!

As for my thoughts on what to use, I might start by trying some scud type flys in various colors. I'd also like to try some soft-hackle wet flys and nymph patterns with hackle. I can imagine that the hackle flies would swim nicely in the water.

Any thoughts from anyone else??

[tie flyer]

Now you guys got me going. It's such a long winter when I don't get to try out new flies in new water.

Muleskinner, sounds like quite an interesting individual you ran into.

After the holidays things should settle down a bit for me and I'm going to experiment a little.

[JP Z]

I believe it was the Infisherman Iceguide that had an article on whitefish. The guy used what were pretty much Brassies. I would think some good bloodworm patterns and of course Red Brassies would be the ticket.

[d.roy]

Has anyone been tying or using flies/iceflies for icefishing? I'll be out looking for some pannies this weekend and was thinking about trying some flies on ice.

[ice_shack]

I tied some up and been having mixed results just like any other bait. I should get some pics taken and post them, maybe tonite.

PT nymph

HE nymph

Waxie

10 - 18 hook

wrap shank with lead

5 or 6 pieces krystal flash length of gap (optional)

scud back clear or your choice (optional)

ultra chenille up to head - I use light cream, red, chartruse the most

thread head usually red, black or brown