It’s only February. It’s raining outside, too cool for dogwood trees to even be thinking about blooming and most bass (unless they’re in South Florida) aren’t yet beginning to get the urge to move shallow and feed. And they’re further than that from thinking about spawning. But not me. I’m thinking about it.
No, not about spawning! About dogwoods blooming and sunny days that warm up into the mid-70′s. I’m also thinking about my favorite bass ponds. No surprise there – but what is surprising is that I’m suddenly dreaming about fishing different bass water this year – and something even crazy way more stranger’er…
I’m thinking about chasing bass this year with only the fly rod. I’ve never done that. Never been willing to give up my spinning rod and reel – and my favorite bass lure. Each spring for the last 20 years I’ve fished a small, purple or brown/olive 4 inch worm on a small hook. Wacky style, and with great success at times. Even got all my friends fishing that way in early spring. Hey, it works. You just have to know how to work it.
But this year, I’m thinking foam. I’m thinking poppers and hoppers and frog flies and some of those amazing looking articulated streamers I’ve been seeing all over the ‘net. I’m thinking about rope flies for Gar and small streamers for crappie. About the only warm-water fish I’m not thinking about is catfish. And carp. That’s right, I’m a bass snob. 
So tonight I tied my first ever foam bass popper with sheet foam. I’ve purchased foam bodies before and tied with those, but I saw some new techniques (to me) on youtube the other night and thought I’d give it a try. I got a big pack of foam at Michael’s for 40% off and some knock-off “flash-a-bou” at the dollar store for…well, a dollar. I also picked up some Zap-A-Gap and some Sharpie markers. All I need now is a needle with a big enough eye to thread the rubber legs on that I already have on hand.
Photos? You want photos? OK, but don’t expect too much. Foam isn’t my favorite tying material. (#understatementoftheyyear )
Something I call the "minnow bug"
When Hopper and Caterpillars mate?
Froggy Popper. Too many legs?
The Ultra Stinger
Anyone have any great videos for tying poppers with sheet foam? Have a favorite foam fly? Feel free to comment and let us all know about it! BTW – the “follow comments” type button is working now – so you’ll never miss a reply! We think.
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{ 19 comments }
Awesome. It’s been a while since I’ve used the dark arts (spinning gear) to catch a bass. Foam is deadly stuff at dusk in the summer. You should check out the “Bunny Butt Slider” on my blog. I look forward to hearing about your fly rod bassing.
Bass on the fly is so much more rewarding to me than bass on spin-tackle. Good luck sir!
nice looking flies there, one fly I,ve been thinking about for a while now but still haven’t got round to tying is an orange foam bodied stimulator.
can there be too many legs on a fly ???
1: There is no such thing as too much legs
2: MORE FOAM!
3: Gurgler
4: Glue a few sheets together, then cut out box shaped popper bodies. They’re striped if you use different color sheets.
5: My experience has been the pre-spawn top water bite is sloooow. Don’t get discouraged.
So you guys think I should do it then – go after bass with nothing but flies and a fly rod this year? I’ll check out any and all suggestions!!! thanks
I’ll stop short of saying ONLY flies and fly rod. Bass are a hell of a lot of fun the other way too.
Here’s a great article on the Stealth Bomber bass fly: http://littleriveroutfitters.com/littleriverjournal/storiesjuly09/stealth/bomber.htm
Thanks Matt!!!
I’ve been fishing for bass with a fly rod for the past few years and really enjoy it, especially when it is too hot for trout.
All of your bugs look “fishy”. I really like the hopper caterpillar. Good luck!
Hey Leigh, thanks. Unfortunately here in GA when it is ‘too hot for trout’ it’s too hot for anything.
The Dog Days of summer usually require you to find a river, even for bass.
Love the froggy popper!
If you decide yes on the fly/fly rod only challenge, I’ll join you! I’m going to try some little mice I’ve been playing around with on the vise recently.
Best,
JEG
Maybe it should be a goal of at least one bass every trip on a fly? I don’t wanna smell like skunk.
I just started fly fishing last spring and never picked up my spinning reel or bait caster. I didn’t catch a single bass all season but I did catch some crappies and bluegills. I was tempted to use my spinning reel but I resisted only because at age 57 and just discovering the joys of fly fishing, I want to spend my remaining years pursuing the art.
I tried several “bass” flies last season including poppers, terrestrials, and a great looking mouse. Not a strike yet but I’m confident a hog will find his way to my fly soon.
I think when you go “all flies” you definitely limit yourself – and the only “art” I’m really, really concerned with is the art of catching fish.
I once got too serious about fly fishing and it made it much less fun.
ha!
To answer your question below, these are all prototypes except the “Stinger” which I created last year. It’s just foam and hackle, but I added some rubber legs to the one on this page. Once I refine these some – see what works, what doesn’t – they’ll look alot more polished. Unless none of them work.
Forgot to mention, the foam flies on this page look great. Where can I find instructions or did you create these from scratch?
This pattern is very easy and cheap, once you figure it out you can zoom through em. I cannot watch this video without laughing at 1:09.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRMfq7LP29I
Old man sounds. Your day will come.
LOL I’ve watched alot of this guy’s videos. Good, easy, real-world-fishing stuff. Not gonna win any awards for precision tying, but then – the fish don’t care! 
Ahhh…foam, my favorite! Glad you’re finding your way to the dark side. I think I have a book that is all bass flies and lots are foam stuff. I’ll try to dig it out. I’ve got a couple of good minnow type flies that I tied for stripers. Maybe down size them a little for the bass.
I’m not so sure about the fly rod only deal. The one fish a trip thing sounds ok though. I’m sure it wouldn’t be hard to catch a bream at least on the fly rod.
You could try crawdad flies for smallies…although, I reckon that if a small mouth will eat it, a large mouth will too!
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