The Perfect Fly Rod for Panfish

September 11, 2024 Panfish On The Fly

The perfect fly rod for all species of panfish. The JP Ross Special edition Toad 7'-6" 4-weight.

Hands down, the most frequent question I am asked is what is the ideal rod for chasing panfish. Before I answer that question, we need to consider our quarry. Panfish is a term that covers a broad range of fish, including members of the sunfish family, including crappie, rock bass, and warmouth, as well non-sunfish like white and yellow perch, white bass, yellow bass, Rio Grande Cichlids, and several other smaller freshwater fish.

First Impressions - The New Fiberglass Superfine Fly Rod

August 19, 2022 Panfish On The Fly

The new Orvis Superfine Glass fly rods fish as good as they look.

Constructed using S-2 fiberglass, they are some of the smoothest casting rods I have ever handled. Behind that smoothness is a strength that adds a little punch to your cast and gives you the power to lay into a good fish. Many fiberglass fly rods cast like a wet noodle, not these new Superfines. Orvis rod designers snuck some design components of their popular Helios series into these new rods. As a result, they are sleek and modern yet retro looking at the same time. Fiberglass junkies will love these new rods!

Fly Tying Friday - The Straggle Damselfly Nymph

January 22, 2021 Panfish On The Fly

Semperfli’s Ice Straggle Chenille creates a great looking thorax on this damselfly nymph!

If you fish in still water, whether it be for trout or panfish, damselflies are usually on the menu. With almost 3,000 species worldwide, chances are your home water has a few!

Fly Tying Friday - Semperfli Guard Hair Chenille

January 1, 2021 Panfish On The Fly

Semperfl Guard Hair Chenille is used to create a bulky head on this streamer which happens to be a favorite pattern for chain pickerel.

Chenille is a fly tying material that should be in every fly tier's stash, especially the warm water tier. Chenille is commonly used to create bodies on many different types of flies, from dries to streamers. I use a lot of chenille in my warm water fly tying. Something about this simple, easy to use material is irresistible to warm water fish, particularly panfish and bass.

The Riversage Journal

October 1, 2020 Panfish On The Fly

There is a new online fly fishing/wing shooting magazine that has hit the digital news stands. The name of the e-zine is the Riversage Journal. The Riversage Journal is an online periodical dedicated to the Fly Fishing & Wingshooting enthusiast.