Panfish Poppers Poppers are great lures when fly fishing for the frying pan.
By Ken Thomas, DeSoto State Park Superintendent Photos by Brittney Hughes, DeSoto State Park Naturalist
24 Outdoor Alabama | JULY 2013 The west fork of Little River is a peaceful set- ting for many activities, including fly fishing.
www.outdooralabama.com 25 Few things compare to the thrill of a fish striking a topwater lure, whether it’s attached to a fly rod or a baitcaster. From late spring through fall, panfish popper action can truly be the most fun someone can have fishing.
From some of my earliest childhood new fly fishing opportunities in other River Canyon National Preserve. The memories of my grandfather fly fishing parts of the state as well. For this article, I trail, also known as the DeSoto Scout from the bank of the creek, hidden be- hope to entice you to my area of the state Trail, winds through some extraordinary hind a catalpa tree, to my new memories and give you information on some of the backcountry areas. of introducing fly fishing to my own son, most picturesque and beautiful fishing Within the boundaries of the Preserve, it, like most outdoor activities, can be ad- opportunities in Alabama. Little River Management Area offers dictive. As spring rounds the corner in DeSoto Falls, near Men- backcountry roads where Little River can to summer, my thoughts lean toward the tone, Ala., is one of the be accessed with plenty of long, wadable water warming and the time I will be able most picturesque areas in runs, perfect for the fly rod. to spend fly fishing for panfish and bass the state. The old hydro- Hiking into Little River Canyon can on Alabama waters. electric dam creates about tax the most athletic, but the view from Whether I am enjoying wade fishing two miles of still water. the bottom is always worth the hike in (my favorite), or fishing from the bank You can fish from the bank … and out. Little River Canyon National or boat, being outdoors is relaxing and or put in a kayak or canoe and paddle Preserve has made improvements to cheaper than other therapy. upstream, fishing along the way. I recom- Canyon Mouth Park, near Blanche, Ala., mend practicing your fly rod casting from making access to the canyon easier for Alabama Fly Fishing a kayak before paddling as it is a learned fly fishermen. No matter where you live in Alabama, skill that takes some practice. Combined, DeSoto State Park, Little I am willing to bet there are panfish The Yellow Trail in DeSoto State River Management Area and Little River within 5 miles of your home. The term Park is a great place to start fly fishing. Canyon National Preserve provide “panfish” has become quite a broad defi- This trail follows alongside some great more than 15 miles of wild and scenic nition, but generally refers to fish that water that can be waded. Don’t let the public lands. never outgrow the size of a frying pan small runs and pools fool you – there are and include, but are not limited to, blue- fish there. Getting Started gill and crappie. The Yellow Trail leads you along the It really doesn’t take much of an in- My home waters are in north Alabama west fork of Little River. After leaving the vestment to start fly fishing. A basic fly along Little River, but I try to discover state park boundaries, you enter Little fishing rig will cost you about as much
26 Outdoor Alabama | JULY 2013 as any other nice fishing rod setup. Even water. The sounds are though fly fishing for trout, tarpon and designed to get the atten- bone fish is a great experience, fly fishing tion of waiting bass and for bass and panfish can be more reward- panfish. Sometimes the ing and, many times, more fast and furi- best action is no action, ous fun. allowing the surrounding While fly fishing my home waters in fish to observe and study north Alabama during the spring and the popper a few seconds summer, I use a lot of the fly fishing before they strike. standards such as the Adams, Elk-hair Over the years I have Caddis, or a bushy attractor fly. All work been able to make a good fine but, I have found that a small panfish guess of my catch by the popper works the best when seeking to way the fish attack the pop- Try using a popper when fly fishing for bluegill or redeye catch bluegill and redeye bass. In today’s per. Green sunfish strike bass. It weighs more than a topwater fly and is almost like economy, panfish poppers are relatively the popper almost before casting a heavier, weighted wet fly. cheap and can be purchased for $2 to $3 it hits the water. Redeye each. Bulk packs of 10 bring the price bass come from yards away Anywhere you think fish maybe hiding down even further. creating a slight wake in their path before and waiting to ambush a floating piece of The panfish popper weighs more than taking a popper, and many species of food is a good place to cast. a topwater fly and is almost like casting a bluegill wait, study, then violently attack I believe that someone fishing with heavier, weighted wet fly. This alien-look- the fly, almost coming out of the water. a fly rod can get their fly in more places ing lure is almost always brightly colored Making a strategic cast is paramount. and present it to more fish than some- with rubber legs and a hackle tail. I look for the broken seams in the sand- one using a baitcaster or spinning rod. The name “popper” comes from the stone bedrock floor of Little River and More presentations equal more fish popping sound the lure makes when I fish the bank heavily, especially where in the frying pan. I encourage you to quickly stripped in from on top of the there are shadows and overhanging limbs. give it a try!
Redeye bass is one of the smaller members of the black bass family. The redeye inhabits small- to medium-sized upland streams and only rarely large rivers and impoundments. The upper and lower margins of the caudal fin are edged in white, a useful feature for separating redeye bass from both small- mouth bass and shoal bass.
www.outdooralabama.com 27