I'm going to some brook trout lakes in our next trip and wanted to try fishing with a fly. I've done some research and learned that I can put a fly on my spinning rod if I use a casting bubble, but I'm not sure that's the best approach. Is it better to buy a cheap fly rod and reel or to use a casting bubble with a fly?

I don't want to spend too much on a fly fishing setup since I wouldn't use it much, but I'm worried about it being too cheap. On the other hand I'm worried that a bubble is going to be less effective, because of the splash when it lands and more difficult repositioning. I'm just not sure what the best approach would be.

I have been a fly fisherman for 30 years and I’ve never tried a casting bubble. I suppose it would work. Ive fished those brook trout lake up there and have done better with a #3 mepps spinner or similar lure. Also I’ve caught Brookies on a Rapala brook trout lure. You can only use worms as far as live bait on a designated trout lake. You will also need a trout stamp. If you want to bring a fly rod get some flies that sink because you will have better luck.

IMO, the casting bubble kind of defeats the purpose of fly fishing.

But, dry fly options are limited in the BWCA--unless you go very early in the year.
There are pretty good mayfly hatches in june, but I've never had much luck fishing the dry fly hatches up there.... even when walleye and bass are going after them on bigger lakes.

A few years ago, my friends and I went to Neglige in early June, hoping for a shot at big brookies.. but it was a complete bust. That lake was not holding fish. The only luck we had was with very small brookies (6-8 inches.. seriously) and they were caught in the shallows on a purple haze.

but... I would encourage you to benefit from the advice of others and pursue bass instead. That's where the real fun is. I know I know.. not as romantic as brook trout, but if you are talking about using a casting bubble, then.... :)

Nothing beats popper fishing for bass up there.
A white streamer (clouser) is also universally appealing. I would get a 15 ft. sink tip line with a white streamer or woolly bugger for brookies..

I , like SV, am a long time fly fisherman. The only time I have used a spinning rod with a bobber (casting bubble) and a fly, is with the grandkids. The bluegill would hit and take the small fly (size 16). The bluegill were small (tiny) but, the grandkids had fun catching. Follow Savage Voyager suggestions.

shoman99: "IMO, the casting bubble kind of defeats the purpose of fly fishing.


But, dry fly options are limited in the BWCA--unless you go very early in the year.
There are pretty good mayfly hatches in june, but I've never had much luck fishing the dry fly hatches up there.... even when walleye and bass are going after them on bigger lakes.


A few years ago, my friends and I went to Neglige in early June, hoping for a shot at big brookies.. but it was a complete bust. That lake was not holding fish. The only luck we had was with very small brookies (6-8 inches.. seriously) and they were caught in the shallows on a purple haze.


but... I would encourage you to benefit from the advice of others and pursue bass instead. That's where the real fun is. I know I know.. not as romantic as brook trout, but if you are talking about using a casting bubble, then.... :)


Nothing beats popper fishing for bass up there.
A white streamer (clouser) is also universally appealing. I would get a 15 ft. sink tip line with a white streamer or woolly bugger for brookies..



"

I have caught those 6” brookies on that lake too, funny. But our group has also caught some big ones too. Fish by the south old campsite.

The casting bubble is just a bobber, so a casting bubble with a weighted fly is no different than your cork bobber with a hair jig or a mini mite. In that case, the casting bobber is optional if you already have bobbers in your tackle box.

I've been fly fishing most of my life like the others that already responded. Fly casting is much more difficult sitting in a canoe than it is standing on a sold stream bank. If you are new to fly fishing, I'd say skip the fly rod this trip. Between the extra rod/reel, spools of leader/tippet materials and the fly boxes, its some added weight and space.

I always bring my fly rod on my trips but I rarely use it. Just like the rule where the wind is always blowing in your face on travel days, it seems like the wind picks up every time I break out the fly rod.