The walleye is a popular game fish sought out by all types of anglers and fly fishing is becoming a very popular method used when fishing for them. They make a worthy adversary that gets lots of attention because they are so hard to catch. They can see very well, even in the dark and their most distinguishing feature is their large glassy eyes. These reflect light allowing them to see the baitfish in dark and murky water. This gives them an advantage over their prey and it’s the main reason they feed the most aggressively when the sun goes down.
It’s also one of the reasons why they are harder to catch than many of the other species. Since they can see so well, they can see you when you venture too close to the strike zone. They can see thick fishing line and hooks that are too large for the bait you’re using. They also spook easily so you must be careful if you want to reel in a nice catch. Once they get spooked, you’ll have to move a whole new location and start over.
Fly Fishing Secrets for Walleyes
You can find walleyes in all types of lakes and rivers and they’re native to the northern parts of the world. They can be caught with a variety of techniques but fly fishing is becoming more popular all the time. It’s an exciting way to catch one of the hardest species to hook and reel in but it can also be one of the hardest techniques to learn. For this reason, it helps to know all you can about both the walleyes and this technique.
Here are three fishing secrets for fly fishing for walleye:
1. One of the best times to fly fish for this species is during the spawning season when they move into the shallow water. They will also move into the tributaries and this is a great place to fly fish for them. However, it’s important to handle the fish very carefully when releasing them back into the water so they can continue to thrive and reproduce.
2. Fish around aquatic vegetation every chance you get. This is a great place to find walleyes and the vegetation will hide you from their view so you can get closer without scaring them away. It gives you a huge advantage over a very cunning fish.
3. Walleyes are usually attracted to bright colors especially during the spawning season. Take along a few brightly colored flies to see if you can entice a strike if they’re being picky.
These three secrets can help make your fishing trip more productive. When you’re reeling in more fish, it makes the trip more fun and exciting and that’s something that everyone can relate to.
Things You Should Know about Fly Fishing
Most anglers fly fish from shore. They will wade out into the water and cast their line where a school of walleyes are the most likely to be. However, you can use this method when fishing from a boat but you must be careful. The extra long rods make it harder to fish from a boat but it can actually be very effective if done right.
The key is to keep the boat moving at a very slow, steady pace. When fishing in slow moving water you can allow the boat to drift but if the current picks up, you can try back trolling. This will help you control your speed. Never go fly fishing without wearing safety glasses whether you’re fishing from the shore or a boat. The odds of a fly swinging around and hitting you in the eye are fairly high even when you’re careful. Therefore, it pays to be safe.
Use a wire trace when fishing for walleyes because they have very sharp teeth that can cut through fishing line. Take a net with you when fly fishing to make it easier to get the fish off the hook, otherwise you could be spending a lot of time struggling with your catch.
A nine or ten foot fly rod is recommended for this species and you’ll want a good drag system because they’re known for taking off when hooked. The barbless hooks are also recommended because they are easier to remove and they do less damage to the fish that must be released.
Fly fishing is harder to learn than some of the other techniques used to catch walleyes but it is a great way to fish for this species. Since it is harder than some of the other methods, be prepared to spend some time practicing. Eventually, you’ll learn how to handle the fly rod and how to get the bait in the strike zone with little effort. Once you master this technique, it just might end up being your favorite way to fish for walleyes.