Bass Flies for Browns!

[Quickstrike]

When most people think of fly fishing for browns, they think small flies and matching the hatch. However, sometimes the hatch the BIG browns are looking for is frogs, mice, and an occational unlucky flying squirril. (I have seen it by the way) The bottom line is that big browns get big for a reason and sometimes the only way to get them to strike is by throwing something at them that makes it worth it to move from their holding lie. The best time to fish this way is at night, where poppers and large surface baits become more effective and bigger fish seem to let their guard down a little bit.

The flies I like to use are mousssies, dahlberg divers, gurglers, strip leeches, madonnas, and large muddler minnows. I fish them very slow cross current and wait for that heart-stopping splash before the fight is on.

I know that many rivers do not permit night fishing or have special seasons when it is and isn't allowed, but these techniques work in the early morning and in the evening as well. You might get a few funny looks walking down to the river but they disapear quickly when they hear a 30 (yes, I have seen them)inch brown flopping on the surface from 50 yds away.

I use an 8 wt winston fly-rod for throwing these large flies, I have tried with a 6 and a 7 wt, but just cannot get the distance I would like, for a leader I use a short leader consisting of 15,12, and 8 lb maxima leader material.

Give it a try, you may be pleasantly surprised.

[WxGuy]

Good stuff, Kent!

[DEADhead]

oh the dreaded mouse fly. that huge wake dragging the mouse across the water. Big Brownies can't resist!

great post QS!

[Quickstrike]

2 over 25 in last night.

[DEADhead]

quit making us jealous Kent!

[Quickstrike]

just got back from fishing as we speak. you guys are more then welcome to come up anytime spend a night on the river with myself and a fishing buddy or two.

[so haaad]

QS,

You fishing Big, or down below 2? Careful of the bears around the lake at night. I've heard stories of bears climbing into a fisherman's canoe fishing at night!!!

[Quickstrike]

I've been all over from high landing up to above big lake depending on how motivated I am.