Walleye on the Fly

[Jason]

OK you warm water experts, I have no clue how to go about catching walleye on a fly and where and what to use. Any suggestions? Has anyone had the opportunity to catch one on a fly?

[Crosby]

Picked up a few on Lake Eire, some at Willard and some flukes on the narrows- but I can't say a one put up a great fight- Great eating and since they are- I fish the most effective way for them with that "other " rod. It just seems that I had to use such a slow retrieve and probably they way that they pick things up it would have been more effective to use scent on the fly- but I'm not going to ruin a good fly with that.

[stout_trout]

I need to get more details but I've been told that using a flyline that has no stretch and then slowly strip stuff along the rocks at Willard in the Spring.... I've never tried, but I plan to this year!

I love having a new challenge.

[cheech]

I think I'm going to have to create a worm harness fly. Is it allright if I use pop gear on my flyrod?

[Juke]

An intermediate sinking fly line with a maribou jig or curly tail will catch walleye. Now comes the question, can the use of a curly tail be considered as fly gear?

[Caddfly]

Just wrap some hackle around it and call it something funky and you've got yourself a fly.

[Dennis]

There are a couple of lakes we fish in Manitoba that have Walleye in them. They will take any fly one would present to trout. They just hang a little tighter in the weed banks and ambush their prey from the weeds.

[THeBLender]

fly fishing per se, but (from an email I recieved):

Two walleye fishing seminars will be given by Rocky Mountain Anglers in March. Tom Pettengill, DWR Sport Fishing Coordinator, will participate. The first will be March 18 at the DWR Office on North Temple in Salt Lake, and the second will be at Utah Lake State Park on March 27. Both will begin at 7 pm.

[Señorfish]

If you guys want Walleye go to Starvation
You'll also catch some nice Smallmouth and maybe even a large Brown.

I love Starvation

[cheech]

I hear you Senorfish. I'm going to be spending a wee bit o' time there this year. I have never fished it. There are some honey holes in around there.

[pathaws]

I caught two in one day (not this year) on the Provo, just below the Deer Creek Dam.... try a big streamer.

[Fred]

You can launch small boats and pontoons now at the Marina at Deer Creek and most of the lake is open. I might try it next weekend if the weather forecast holds.

[Ed Kent]

Jason,

I've caught Walleye at Willard, and on Utah Lake on many occasions. I have used fry patterns, very similar to those used to catch wipers on Willard. On Utah lake...I think I've caught them on accident while fishing for white bass. Additionally, I caught one on Deer Creek using a streamer while fishing for trout....

[Fred]

I went up to Deer Crik yesterday to try to gather some points. I think that I was up to four points before I got there and I was on four when I left.

I lasted about an hour and a half before the wind sent me packing. I launched at the marina, then went across. I could see some really big heads every once in a while along the west shoreline by the steep dropoffs. They weren't in pods, but just one fish here and one fish there coming up for something. They looked big. Was I seeing bass? I couldn't tell because I never saw one close enough. Also, what type of line is typically used for fish on Deer Creek this time of year. I know if I had a fishfinder I would have a much better idea, but I don't yet, so if you have experience fishing there, what would be your first choice of line to get into some bass, perch, or better yet, walleye. And, shouldn't the walleye be stacking up by the inlet this time of year?

Finally, about fly fishing for muskie: I know the fly tying club is going to tie up some patterns Wednesday, but I can't make it. My question is, how do you handle these fish from a float tube or pontoon. From what I have read, these fish can take off your fingers and if you get a big one, forget about a net. So, what if you hook into one of these hogs and you're floating around without a big enough net? click click boom, or what?

[Junge]

Fred, I plan on having a buddy take the hook out.

[cheech]

Fred- MWS and I fished DC last fall and saw the same thing. Big ol' Loch Ness type things swimming at the surface. We quickly found out that they were Carp (they liked the Olive Willey). I don't know if it is too early for them, but this year has been very warm. As far as Bass, We've got about a month to a month and a half before the bass fishing really picks up. I'm not sure about walleye though. As far as fishing for bass, I use a type 3 and an intermediate line. In the morning and evening, I will fish shallow for bass, but in the hot sun, they tend to go a little bit deeper. If you go back there in a month and jig a clouser minnow or a crawfish pattern off the rocks, I will guarantee you a smallie. I'll have to get a new minnow pattern posted that I got it from a shop in Arizona.

Cheech

[Hopper]

Of course it is size dependant, but I've always been able to grab them by the back of the head and lift them up. They aren't overly perky in cold water, they remain still somewhat controllable. I've handled tigers up to 9 lbs without any significant incidents in my tube. Use hooks with long shanks and don't forget the pliers!

Hopper

[Fred]

Maybe I would have nailed one because I was fishing an intermediate line and an olive willey just before i left. Hehe. Carp makes sense because these fish were really big like you said. The weather was weird because it was so calm when I got out that in some places the water was like glass. About noon, the wind started blowing up Provo Canyon and out of the southwest and by 12:30 it was brutal. I think people were doing pretty well just off of the island, but the wind really chased everybody away.

[Improv]

Fred..
I was on Deer Creek Saturday, not for walleye, but for trout. Deer Creek is a funny lake, I have had little to no success fishing it during the day, but when the sun goes down - look out. From 6:00 PM to 12:00 PM, I had 21 fish. I was using a California leach when there was still a little sunlight left and then switched to a Blue Ellis when it got really dark. Most of the fish I caught where 16-18" with a few over 20". There where two guys fishing from shore, they where fishing for walleye and had nothing, but agreed night fishing for them was the best way to go.
The big fish you generally see rolling on top are carp. They too will go for a fly, but are harder to get to hit when they are in spawning mode.
Last year the DWR gillnetted many walleye for a study they are doing on the lake. I’m sure they would have a lot of information, i.e. how many, size, general health etc…
Good luck, if you find a particular bug that works, please share, I love to know.

[Fred]

Thanks for the good info.

6:00 to midnight, huh. Hear that Ed?

Sounds kind of cold, but sounds like you were rewarded for your efforts. Are you fishing from a pontoon and, if so, what sorts of adjustments do you make for fishing in the dark.

I believe what you are saying about the size of the fish. I have fished near the inlet with streamers with mixed results over teh past few months. I think they have moved out of that area now, or I have been fishing it too early in the day, but there are some real fatties in Deer Creek.

[Ralph]

I have caught two walleyes on flies at Deer Creek, one just last June when I had a terrific day of fishing there. Was fishing for bass and along comes old marble eye. Fishing with a medium olive crystal chenille fly with marabou tail. The olive has some brown and yellow in it. A great pattern for bass small or large and walleye.

[carpman]

Deer Creek is a great place to catch a walleye on a fly. Try later in the year after the water warms a bit. They can be caught now, but become much more active once the water reaches around 65 degrees. Fish the late hours of evening, and into the night. Keep your flies near the bottom. Clouser minnows help here with the added weight of the eyes. Also, walleye seem to prefer translucent offerings, which gives a clouser another advantage, especially when tied with synthetics such as Unique hair, or Super hair.......

[Wyoming2utah]

I have hooked and played muskies over 40 inches from a float tube...the key every time was getting to shore where I could manage them better without losing them. For the smaller musky, you can simply grab them behind the head and get the hook out with pliers. The bigger ones, however, would be really tough handling from a tube.

[1fly]

For you guys that have had success with warmwater fish on a fly rod, I am looking for some help.

I am a photographer and would really like to get some shots of wipers, bass, walleye... etc with a fly rod.

Email me from my profile and I can fill you in on some details.

[steeliesonafly]

Wipers will be coming on pretty soon. Keep in touch with Steve at Low Country or myself. I won't post it, but you can write me! I catch them best in early spring and fall..... Same with the Walleye,,,,.....

[stout_trout]

So.. I've tried a few times at Willard for Walleye but I haven't had any luck. Messed around in Starvation too.

Is there anyone who feels like they could put me on a good spot to pick up a Walleye?

Carpman, I know you mentioned Deer Creek... Would I have a chance now? If you've have some specifics I would love an email.

Anyone else? Proven patterns, locations...anything?

...as the season roles on, the wily Walleye grows my nemesis.

[carpman]

Stout,

Fish the Northeast side of the island at Deer Creek. Don't bother fishing until we have 3 or 4 days of consistent, warm weather. Start around 6-7 p.m. and fish into the dark. Generally about an hour after lights out, the bite slows. Fish white or chartreuse crystal buggers or Clouser minnows in Chartreuse/white, gray/white, or white/white. Fish slow, and near the bottom. You have a good shot at catching them from now til early September.

Good luck.........

[Ouzel]

Catching walleye on a fly (streamer) is no big deal. I can easily understand becaune of the lack of warm water opportunities in the mountain west a little apprehension about the task but just simply fish for them with the right gear.

First, keep in mind that walleye like bottom structure, the bottom in any situation will be determined by temperature and light. Let me backup a bit by mentioning that 'walleye' like low light, those big eyes are made for night hunting. So fish for them early and late.

Sinking line? Which one? How deep are they holding? Start with a intermediate Camo and maybe another one 3-4"/sec denser. Mountain lakes stay pretty cool even in summer so I don't think you need something like the Deep Water Express but like other types of fishing it is a journey of learning, and learning.

Wooly Buggers, Clousers, Dark Spruce Streamers, Muddler Minnows, Black Nose Dace and a bunch of other streamers can be used with confidence.

Shorter leaders with a '12" shock tippet' will help with control and combat the walleyes sharp teeth. Remember those teeth are for catching and holding food so then after the initial grab there will often be a pause before the walleye open its mouth, flares its gills and takes the fish in further.

Walleyes have never been known for their blinding long runs, their tailwalking surface dashes or their high 'touch the rim' leaps. They can give you a good bull dog tussel all the way to the dinner table.

A small indicator mid way down the leader when you are slowly pulling a sinking line along the bottom will lift the fly just enough to keep it from hanging up. Most of the time.

[stout_trout]

Thanks guys. I will give it a shot...but it looks like I won't be doing it any time soon with the crazy cold weather!

Ouzel mention something interesting that I've had a vague recollection of... the bite. Should I set the hook like a would trout? Do I wait to let them hook themselves?... Am I making this more difficult than it needs to be?

[Ouzel]

when you feel the take; after all it also may be a bruser of a trout.

Fishing for any specie is a matter of learning its habits and habitate.

[lone Palm Rods]

I have always had luck with olive buggers at deer creek. good luck

[stout_trout]

I went to Deer Creek about two weeks ago. Got there early and fished until about noon. No luck for walleye but I caught two smallies of the rocky island. I don't know...maybe I wasn't deep enough, but I sure tried!

It was after the cold week we had...it seems like a season ago!

Has anyone caught a walleye on a fly this year?

[RAW]

2 at Willard. One small 8 incher, the other a decent 14 to 15 incher.

[stout_trout]

RAW...I'm really struggling to not be jealous of you. :)