sniksoh 0 Report post Posted March 16, 2010 today the ice on one of my favorite farm ponds has dissapeared and im thinkin about getting out tomorow and trying to catch some gills. probably a litlle early but im so anxiouse i gotta try it. any suggestions on technique and flies? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TitanFlies 0 Report post Posted March 16, 2010 Use a size 10 or 8 and cast near any ice overhang. Don't be suprised if you get a bass either! Trick is to cast onto any remaining ice and then drag it into the water and that ought to do it. I recommend anything black, brown or olive - a mini bugger will do you. I can't wait to go gill fishing this spring I'm just as anxious as you are. But lakes and ponds in Illinois like to take their sweet ass time melting even with 40-50 degree weather :wallbash: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DevinKaradeema 0 Report post Posted March 16, 2010 i know that feelin!!! what i found is that they are suspended at my pond and they were only bitting my olive and black bead head nimphs Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigDaddyHub 0 Report post Posted March 16, 2010 fish deep and slow. Work different levels of the water column until you bust one or two. It's not at all impossible to bust them right after ice out. If you can get a few consistant days of sun, they will start to move closer to the bank. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FishyboY 0 Report post Posted March 16, 2010 slowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeremy Parker 0 Report post Posted March 16, 2010 I think fishboy said it best slooooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. I personally would still be looking for them in deep water next to any cover. Glass scuds any any thing olive to brown in dragon nymphs. Are you just going to catch and release or a couple for the table?? Good luck! Blessings, Jeremy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
carolinafisherman 0 Report post Posted March 16, 2010 I've hit a few on small clouser minnows. Then again, the ice is long gone down here... Good luck! -CF Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Curtis Fry 0 Report post Posted March 16, 2010 I do really well with Chironomid patterns (14's and 12's) fished off an indicator and very slowly stripped in. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deeky 0 Report post Posted March 17, 2010 Look for the inflows - places where water is flowing into the pond. It will do a couple of things that will draw in feeding fish - bring in warmer water, bring in water with higher oxygen levels, and wash fresh bits of food into the pond. Usually these are the first spots that the ice will open up on the pond. Deeky Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigDaddyHub 0 Report post Posted March 17, 2010 Look for the inflows - places where water is flowing into the pond. It will do a couple of things that will draw in feeding fish - bring in warmer water, bring in water with higher oxygen levels, and wash fresh bits of food into the pond. Usually these are the first spots that the ice will open up on the pond. Deeky Very good advice, Deeky. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites