Headed to basswood lake August 26-Sept 1 and planning on bringing my 7wt rod with me. My question for you all would be what gear would you recommend to bring? How many leader lines? Tippets? What fly's would you recommend? Line type? How to fish?

I don't plan on having much success with it for my first time bringing it with me, but I still want to give it a go. I'm used to fishing streams, creeks and small body's of water. I've also never fly fished directly from a canoe and have read from other articles on the site it is good to practice sitting down before the trip.

Thank you for any feedback.

I have only fly fished from kayaks and canoes. This is my third year and have no trouble casting even in my kayak. I do not know why I find it so easy. I fish locally here in northern Wisconsin the fish are the same, If you are pike fishing of course use a leader. Several leader materials will work or just a regular steal leader and a streamer you will catch pike. For bass I just use poppers and divers. Best advise check out you tube . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DOy7ZjSDgY Good luck

ashlandjack: "I have only fly fished from kayaks and canoes. This is my third year and have no trouble casting even in my kayak. I do not know why I find it so easy. I fish locally here in northern Wisconsin the fish are the same, If you are pike fishing of course use a leader. Several leader materials will work or just a regular steal leader and a streamer you will catch pike. For bass I just use poppers and divers. Best advise check out you tube . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DOy7ZjSDgY Good luck"

Thank You!

For smallies, crawfish patterns, clouser minnows and sneaky pete's (topwater). I've never fished in August up there but I would start by casting towards structure near the shore (overhanging/submerged trees etc.) with topwater. Then work deeper with clousers/crawfish patterns. Topwater bass isn't a finesse game, don't be afraid to let the fly slap the surface, pause for 5-10 seconds and then retrieve. If they are actively targeting the surface you will likely get a hit on that pause.

I usually just use 10lb-20lb fluorocarbon fishing line for leaders, then I bring 2 or 3 pike leaders if we start getting into pike.

boondock: "For smallies, crawfish patterns, clouser minnows and sneaky pete's (topwater). I've never fished in August up there but I would start by casting towards structure near the shore (overhanging/submerged trees etc.) with topwater. Then work deeper with clousers/crawfish patterns. Topwater bass isn't a finesse game, don't be afraid to let the fly slap the surface, pause for 5-10 seconds and then retrieve. If they are actively targeting the surface you will likely get a hit on that pause.


I usually just use 10lb-20lb fluorocarbon fishing line for leaders, then I bring 2 or 3 pike leaders if we start getting into pike."

This is awesome, thank you.

Don’t over think it. Basically your fishing knowledge generally will dictate success more than fly fishing skill. Bass are easy for the most part. Walleyes harder but really only because you need to be deeper, so strike detection can be harder. Same with pike. I typically troll for the latter two species and cast for bass, with a lot of success. My one tip would be to use loop to loop connections for everything, and if possible bring a full sink line, plus a clear intermediate line in addition to a floater. Fish respond very well to a trolled fly. It is very natural and catches big fish. Use a supple streamer pattern that moves well in the water. The clear intermediate line slowly trolled in the 8-12’ zone has been deadly for me on walleyes especially. Put your reel over the the yoke with the rod tip pointing straight back out towards the stern. Positive hooksets that way.

Moonman.

Aguynamedjosh: "Headed to basswood lake August 26-Sept 1 and planning on bringing my 7wt rod with me. My question for you all would be what gear would you recommend to bring? How many leader lines? Tippets? What fly's would you recommend? Line type? How to fish?

I don't plan on having much success with it for my first time bringing it with me, but I still want to give it a go. I'm used to fishing streams, creeks and small body's of water. I've also never fly fished directly from a canoe and have read from other articles on the site it is good to practice sitting down before the trip.

Thank you for any feedback. "

Well did you have any luck?