Ice fishing flies?

[hogstalker]

Anyone ever use flies for ice fishing? If so what kind?
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[Flyfishinglover]

If I were you I'd check out TD jig cove for some nice glow in the dark jigs. Work like a sucker for any fish especially trout [laugh].
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[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]Of course flies work for ice fishing. But it sure is hard to hit the small hole with a long cast. (dumb)

Many of the little jigs especially created for ice fishing are basically weighted flies. Using weightless flies requires adding some weight...in the form of a split shot or using a weighted jig either above or below the fly.

Since most species continue to feed under the ice, using flies that represent their available food is a good way to catch them. Best choices are the same nymphs, scuds or egg patterns that work during open water. And, while bright colors sometimes are easier to see in darker under-ice conditions, the same drab colors you use the rest of the year will produce too. Black is always a good choice. But chartreuse, white, orange, hot pink and purple can be very effective. And tieing some up with glow goodies in them also pays dividends under conditions of low light and poor visibility.

If you are a purist, you will catch fish without the addition of bait. But you will usually do better by "sweetening" your offerings with a waxworm, meal worm or piece of crawler.

Here is a pic of some of the unweighted ice flies I have made and used. But as a general rule, once you find active and feeding fish under the ice it is more difficult to find something they won't bite than something they will. The key is to present it at the right depth and to be able to detect the often light bites.

[inline "ICE FLIES.JPG"]


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[fishnate]

Have you ever had midges hatch out of the hole you were fishing? I've often wondered about using a beadhead midge pattern but never seem to have one available on the ice.
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[r2u2]

I have used artificial flies while fishing through the ice on several occasions, often as as a second hook. Most fish will take them but I have found that in many cases it is a subtle bite, you have to be alert to what is going on down there.

I have watched another fisherman fish with a regular weighted fly and strike indicator. He did quite well. I might mention that he was also using his fly rod.

Play around with it ,you may be surprised at the results. Something to keep in mind is that flies are tied on a lighter wire hooks. Over zealous hook sets don't usually work
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