All too often, we overlook fly fishing for panfish. Many anglers consider these to be “kids’ fish,” or something to catch when the bass are not biting. Too bad.

Panfishing with flies means fishing for bluegills, bream, crappies, pumpkinseeds, and rock bass.

They are a good source of fun and food once the water temperature reaches the mid 50-degree range or higher. They move into the shallows to feed, and eventually think about spawning. First to move up to warmer water are the males who build nests. The females which lay eggs before departing to the deeper climes follow shortly. The males move guard the nests and fry until they disperse and can forage on their own.

Throughout these times, panfish are excellent quarry for fly fishing.

Starting in this sport is easier than catching the fish. All you need are some balanced equipment and a few lessons. As for tackle, kits are available from major tackle manufacturers, often tailored to individual species including trout and panfish. They are available at most stores selling fishing tackle.

Once lessons are over and you are consistently casting 30 feet with comfort, it is time to take to the water.

Several basic patterns work well. There is no reason for a vest full of flies. The easiest way to select your basic flies is to ask another angler for help. Find out what he/she uses with the most success and buy a few to try out. A local tackle shop may be of assistance, although not all are familiar with fly equipment.

Flies come in two basic types: wet and dry. Panfishermen using wet flies try a variety of colors and patterns. Some suggestions include Wooly Worms, small streamers, and caddis, ant or bee imitations. For surface or dry fly fishing, nothing beats a small popper or a rubber spider. Hooks should be in sizes 6, 8 or 10 for panfish.

In cooler weather, fish when the sun is high and the water is warmer. Later, as the water warms into summer, try fishing during the early morning and late afternoon hours.

Cast to shoreline cover such as weeds, pads, brush, logs, rocks, and any other available structure. If bream are on beds, then it is ideal casting territory.

After casting, allow a wet fly to sink slowly before retrieving it. Remain alert, as most strikes occur during a slow sink on the pause. Strikes are usually not rod-bending, but rather a twitch in the line. There is no need to set the hook hard. The strike is just a matter of the fish sucking the fly into its mouth. Just lift the rod straight up to keep from yanking the hook right out of their soft mouth. This increases your chances of a proper hook set in the upper lip, and prevents fish from inhaling hooks too deeply allowing for a safe release.

Surface fishing is the most entertaining. If the mayfly hatch is on, crappies will take poppers with gusto. Little rubber spiders work well for bream around pads and stumps. With surface action, anglers see and hear a strike.

For nighttime anglers, only a splash is audible. Nighttime is the prime time for feeding as bugs come out. You might even pick up a bass or two with poppers.

Even on the best of nights, fish eventually turn off. No one knows why; it just happens. Pack it in and go home to clean fish. There is always another day.

Looking for some new fishing techniques to try this season? You’ll find plenty of suggestions in every issue of MidWest Outdoors. Subscribe on our website.