Nothing is more relaxing - or sometimes more productive - than casting for bluegill, bass and other small panfish with a fly rod and popping bugs. Anybody can do this with minimal practice. An inexpensive but adequate fly-fishing rod/reel/line won't break your budget (beginner's kit for around $50). And when fish won't hit anything else, they frequently will still take a popping bug danced seductively on the surface over their heads. They just can't help it!



Beginners should purchase a #5 or #6 weight rod, reel and fly line. Add a tapered monofilament leader to the end of the line. Popping bugs can be purchased individually or in kits with several bugs.

Before heading to the water, learn to fly cast in your backyard. (You don't need a bug on the end of the line for practicing.) Strip several feet of line off your reel so it coils at your feet, then begin false-casting back and forth to feed line out to lengthen your cast. (Beginners would do well to purchase a DVD on basic fly-casting.) Once you have enough line out, you can drop the line to the ground (or water when actually fishing). Be slow on your back casts and get the rhythm needed to allow the line to flow through the rod's guides. With just a little practice you'll be casting adequately to fish for bluegill and bass.

Best times for fly-fishing are early in the morning and late in the afternoon, when insects are hatching. Move around the water's edge and cast close to cover objects (moss, weeds, brush, etc.) where fish are likely to be hiding. Cast to any disturbance on the water's surface where a fish may be feeding.

There's something about fly-fishing that soothes the soul. This is a simple way of fishing that brings back the child-like joy of this sport. If you've never tried fly-fishing, do so, and you'll see what I mean.