Fishing Forum

Just wondering, has anyone tried using a nymph fly while ice fishing? I think I'm gonna give it a shot out at the pond just for fun, but I was wondering if anyone had ever had any success using any fly fishing stuff for ice fishing.

I guess too this post could open up any other conversation for unusual ice fishing bait/lures. Last year I tied the bright green tab from a can of Monster above my hook over at the pond and ended up getting more fish to bite that than my other more "conventional" setups.
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You might check [url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/forum/Utah_Fishing_Forum_C55/Utah_Fishing_General_F58/gforum.cgi?post=702932;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;page=unread#unread"]THIS [/url]post. Been a bit of discussion from fly-flingers on what to send down an ice-hole.

A basic setup I've run is a Kastmaster - hook removed - then tie on one or two jigs below - typically two - starting maybe 3-4 inches down to 6-8. But saw an episode of In-Fisherman - where they were using a similar - spoon/flasher for weight, but with a jig or hook that was only like an inch or two below the attractor.
Have to try that - I do know the Perch get excited over something dancing in the dirt - on the bottom.

I'll bet your Monster tab could put out good flash/vibration - and add some nice flutter action under ice.

I've been messing with some Red-Neck bottle cap lure ideas. I'll throw up some pix later. Might have to try some of them for ice. Also been tying some bucktails onto jig-heads. Add a dab of glow-in-the-dark paint, should be in business!

I've seen black wooley buggers work. I can't see why it couldn't be just as effective to use flies like scuds and buggers. I'll bet you could do well with a crawdad imitation on IP. With that said I do think scent plays a large factor in at least drawing fish into the area.
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Flies?

Yes, I've tried it without much luck. I believe that due to the flies being so light in the water, they can suck it in and spit it out so fast you don't even know you've had a bite. You need something heavy enough to fish a tight line while jigging/deadsticking or else you need something tasty that they will hold on to long enough for you to know they are there.

I've tried adding a weight above, but I get tangles in the line below that break when you get a fish on. If you put the weight below, with a dropper type setup, maybe that would work better. I don't recall if I tried that or not.

I know they will bite flies through the ice, but strike detection is a problem. If you over come that, I think you'll be in business.
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[quote iwantabuggy]Flies?

Yes, I've tried it without much luck. I believe that due to the flies being so light in the water, they can suck it in and spit it out so fast you don't even know you've had a bite. You need something heavy enough to fish a tight line while jigging/deadsticking or else you need something tasty that they will hold on to long enough for you to know they are there.

I've tried adding a weight above, but I get tangles in the line below that break when you get a fish on. If you put the weight below, with a dropper type setup, maybe that would work better. I don't recall if I tried that or not.

I know they will bite flies through the ice, but strike detection is a problem. If you over come that, I think you'll be in business.[/quote]

weighted fly, problem solved
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Yes. Those have been around for years. I believe most people are calling them JIGS.

Unless you are refering to bead heads, or flies with weight tied in under the body. Either way, or both, they were not heavy enough. But jigs are. I have some that almost exactly duplicate a wooly bugger.
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Although I have never ICE fished so to speak, I am more than willing to try this year. Mostly, walking on the stuff, rest I am good with.
I see it to be like Deep Nymphing which I love to do. I figure to first determine the depth of a particular hole. Put Tungsten bead or flies containing weight, one on bottom of leader, other about 2 to 3 feet up by using a tag. Then attaching split shot above both flies and set an indicator. Slightest dip is a good sign and not much chance of spitting the hook.
I have made flies to try, the Ooey Gooey Grub is one, and Scuds were mentioned which are a food source 24/7 and 365 days always a good choice.
Prince Nymph, Haresears, Copper Johns, Pheasant Tails, and I have one alled a Hasbro, plus the Buggers like mentioned. Not sure on Crayfish, are they active in ice water? Also Chironomids/buzzers. I see San Juans possibly working as well.
If I may, here are a few flies I would like to try as I have made them with this style in mind:







JIGS?



Horizontal PT:



I will not be able to bring myself to adding scent, so it will be a sight thing and possible movement[laugh]

Sorry for all the pictures too. Just some ideas, I am kind of excited....go figure.
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Similar to this concept, my brother and I have tied "mini jigs" that actually look more like chironomids (pretty similar to the ones in the photo). Black and olive with a little flash tied in have been deadly through the ice at a place that flygoddess frequently "deep nymphs" during the warmer months. We have caught fish jigging them but have also caught some large rainbows in very shallow water with the rod just sitting dead. No bait or sent needed. I think with my new jigger totters this will be an awesome set up as the breeze will give them a little subtle action similar to the wave action on the indicator when deep nymphing. It's fun to introduce fly fishing concepts to ice fishing because I really enjoy both.

Cole
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been there done it.. works ok for the slimers. but it has a drawback as well. if a fish takes bottom hook alot of the time the dropper jig or fly hooks the ice at the bottom of the hole and fish get off. i stopped using it many yrs ago after i cost me a big brown up rock creek 1 winter.[]
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[quote flyguy66]Similar to this concept, my brother and I have tied "mini jigs" that actually look more like chironomids (pretty similar to the ones in the photo). Black and olive with a little flash tied in have been deadly through the ice at a place that flygoddess frequently "deep nymphs" during the warmer months. We have caught fish jigging them but have also caught some large rainbows in very shallow water with the rod just sitting dead. No bait or sent needed. I think with my new jigger totters this will be an awesome set up as the breeze will give them a little subtle action similar to the wave action on the indicator when deep nymphing. It's fun to introduce fly fishing concepts to ice fishing because I really enjoy both.

Cole[/quote]

Never gave it much thought, but I haven't tried flies since I got my JT's. Perhaps that would help a lot.
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I'm glad you shared the pictures. I too would like to get out sometime and give this a try, it just might not be this winter. It looks like a fun challenge.
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I have used flies successfully ice fishing in a couple different situations.

1. When I can see the fish in crystal clear water. If the fish are spooky and they won't take anything else. I have slipped a lightly weighted fly down to them.

2. Perch. When I see perch on the finder and they won't take anyting else. I have successfully got them to take a fly.

Windriver
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[quote flygoddess]
JIGS?
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I'd definitely consider those jigs even though they are tied up to look like flies. JMHO.
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Or, a bead head nymph on a C400BL hook[]

http://www.jsflyfishing.com/cgi-bin/item...70400-0000

I used these however

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/F...t103885380
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I plan on trying and testing out a couple scud/sowbug, and chironomid patterns this winter. For trout and for pan fish. I cant tell ya how many times I pulled a perch walleye out of Starvation through the ice and it was burping up a bunch of little dark green scuds. I think they feed on them often. The trout will eat most anything that they see. A chrome-like chironomid seems like a good place to start. It will be fun trying different things. Good thing for the two pole permit. I can try stuff side by side. Have fun on the ice flygoddess.
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Not sure how much Chironomids there are to eat in the winter, but Zebras work killer as do Serendipity. Blood Midge however, I think that will work. Scuds anytime, anywhere.
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make sure you tie the bait with the hook pointed up, otherwise you'll miss most of the fish. Use a palomar knot.
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If you are dangling straight down how do you get a knot to hold it straight up? I do use weight such as dumbbell eyes or weight wire on the back of the hook making it float hook up like a jug hook.
I use a Surgeon's Loop. It allowes the use of heavier tippet on smaller flies but still get movement out of the fly.
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Yes i have a big bead heads of all kinds. worked great on tresurton. Even smaller bead heads sz 12 or smaller work for me. also just a plain bead has been the ticket from time to time. light line and light rods like what you use for perch but bigger real u will need the line for that lunker rainbow. this has worked on jackson lake for macs too. fishfinder helps most of the time you only want it five feet down no matter how deep it is. work great for fish that are suspended.
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I love your ice flies and am especially interseted in the last one which seems to be 2 hooks. What is that one and where do you get the hooks with the bend in them?

I am hoping to tie a fly that will hang horzontal, hook up but not sure how I will get that done, yet.
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