Fly Tying a Bluegill Popper with Jim Misiura

Using a popper for panfish has to be one of the most exciting forms of fishing there is. You can tie it in a variety of colors.

[@fishonboys]

Jim, great video! I purchased all the materials and plan on tying a bunch of these flies today. I'm teaching my 9 year old son how to tie flies and your popper video is perfect for helping me teach him the art of fly tying and the sport of fly fishing. Keep up the great videos!

[@chrisgress4086]

I bought a fly rod this year, had one 40 years ago and never used it much and took tying lessons back then. I have a broken knee and I am passing time tying once again. I wil mainly use my fly rod in ponds and I am heading to Cabellas tomorrow for some popper stuff. Thanks for getting the interest going and my son is 13 so he is trying to tie

[@TheFlymanJim]

+Chris Gress Glad to hear your son is getting into it.

[@zackhall3223]

+Jim Misiura I am 12 and very interested in fly fishing and this video helped me a lot thank you!

[@TheFlymanJim]

Thanks for your kind words, it's always great to hear when people (especially kids) are learning from my videos. Tight Lines! Jim

[@lamoriam]

Thank you for the excellent fly tying tips, it helped me a lot. Regards Jakes

[@chucksmith5002]

Nice looking popper

[@TheFlymanJim]

Thanks

[@TheFlymanJim]

Good to hear it worked for you. Thanks for the kind words. Jim

[@matthewjeffres1289]

I really like how you did this fly!

[@TheFlymanJim]

With bass & Panfish you get to use crazy colors that is one of the things I like about.

[@johnthomas5806]

nice, easy popper fly, thanks

[@TheFlymanJim]

Thank you too!

[@TheFlymanJim]

@Sasquatch7foot : This is a relatively small fly it can be cast easly with a 5 or 6 wgt. The rods I use are the ones I make myself. When going for bass along with panfish I have a 7wgt, which I also use for saltwater. If I'm only after panfish I use my 4 wgt, trout rod. it is a Eastbranch Rod, made in N.Y. I love it. Only problem is they are out of business. Told me they could not compete with the big guys. That's a shame.

[@awfoutdoors6299]

You make your own rods? I’d like more information on that. Thanks

[@TheFlymanJim]

@@awfoutdoors6299 Have you seen my videos on rod building. Check my "Materials" playlist.

[@awfoutdoors6299]

@@TheFlymanJim just found your channel, I’ll be watching soon. Thanks

[@TheFlymanJim]

@@awfoutdoors6299 👍

[@errolhook3975]

Thanks for sharing sir. Enjoyed it a great deal.

[@TheFlymanJim]

Your very welcome.

[@RobertJohnson-nk6mz]

Thanks, I’ll be tying some of these.

[@TheFlymanJim]

👍

[@TheFlymanJim]

This foam I believe is 1/4" .

[@terryc5449]

Hi Jim, I am able to teach my kid's, to tie flies, because of your videos, they are in their 30's. But I have grandchildren. What is worse, use the leavings of animals, or killing worms, that replenish the earth?, The old saying go's, give a Man a fish, feed's him for a day, teach a Man to fish, feed Him for a lifetime. Use what you have been given, and use no more than what you need. Thanks' terry c, your friend.

[@TheFlymanJim]

Hi Terry, Glad to hear your using my videos to help teach others, it is an honor. Jim

[@TheFlymanJim]

@paoutdoors95 I believe your right and I blocked him. Thanks for your comments!

[@TheFlymanJim]

@Sasquatch7foot : Sorry I removed your comment by mistake. I hope you are out on the water trying out all the flies I'm making you waste your money on. LOL It's good to hear your getting use of my videos. Oh by the way I have a video from today, just a small 12" brown.

[@LukeAlder]

Cool Fly I tied it. Catches Bluegill

[@jamesblancapayton6308]

Thank great popper :)

[@miguelheredia9113]

Jim could you make that a diver by reversing the angle, in other words make it into a wedge

[@TheFlymanJim]

I think that will work but check out my "Jim's Swimming Foam Fly"

[@andrewresczenko1958]

I dont know if your backed up with requests but I would love to see a bluegill spider because they work great but the are so hard to tie with the legs and stuff. Thanks!

[@jacobstarr9010]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZzTgImwe9uVaMk

[@chuckpatch1230]

nice popper ,do they really catch bluegill though ? what color is your fav is it the black.and thanks for a great vid I have already tied some.

[@TheFlymanJim]

Yes they do catch bluegill. Color depends on the water I'm fishing. I have caught bluegill on a 1/2 inch foam bass popper. Granted these were really big bluegill, 12 inchers.

[@tkcenterline1]

Awesome video. The lake we are on in Michigan is loaded with blue hills. I have been tying for years and like to use materials that are in hardware and craft stores. I was wondering we're did you find the flotation materials?

[@sidneycashion7817]

Thanks I need a good bream fly.

[@TheFlymanJim]

Nothing like catching them on top water flies.

[@BobBohner4851]

Jim. What’s the poke n snip tool? Great fly

[@TheFlymanJim]

Cuticle Trimmer

[@robertbaker6671]

Nice

[@TheFlymanJim]

Thanks

[@TheFlymanJim]

These are easy flies to design you can get cheap , but good, Eagle Claw hooks from Walmart and go at it.

[@paoutdoors95]

@TheFlymanJim Don't worry about that guy. He is an uneducated fool, and I saw him leave that exact same comment on another fly tying video so I set him straight. Awesome video, I look forward to seeing more bass and bluegill flies from you.

[@SuperLAndrus]

Seeing as how "Super glue" is water soluble and will eventually dissolve, is there another cement that you would recommend in place of super glue?

[@TheFlymanJim]

Lance Andrus I haven't had any problem with the super glue. You can use any of the strong fast drying glues. If you read the labeling before you buy you should find a water proof glue. you can also try 5 minute epoxy, but I find epoxy a bit messy to use for small flies like this.

[@matthewvelderman900]

Hey Jim enjoy the videos. I have started making my own poppers for the upcoming spring. I have a question on keeping the fly level on the water. I'm using the perfect poppers and in at home tests the poppers seem to lay lopsided. Not sure if this really matter with the presentation. Just looking for some thoughts and ideas on stabilizing the fly. Thanks

[@TheFlymanJim]

it may be that the hole isn't centered right. But I wouldn't worry to much when you fish it, it will do the job. You can try slicing some material of the bottom of the foam creating a flat spot.

[@matthewvelderman900]

thank you! Keep posting videos

[@LAUGHOUTLOUDPUPPETS]

Hey guys when I'm fishing my poppers I don't think those hungry fish really care if they sit up right as long as you get that popping action. Great popper God bless brothers.

[@waltr4641]

During the summer, I go out for bluegill and bass at small ponds (Atlanta area) on topwater flies. However, I've never gone during the winter, and am curious as to what fly you would recommend. Where would be a good place to start?

[@TheFlymanJim]

Obviously in the winter your not going to frogs or Dragonflies and such so top water is going to be limited. If you want to fish top water I would say to use something that is going to look like a dieing fish. Even something that runs just under the surface. But your more likely to catch fish near the bottom, using weight streamers like a hearing or small panfish. For bluegill in the winter deep is also going to be most productive. I would use small nymphs or a weighted rubber legs. Many of the trout flies can be effective on panfish. Thanks for the comment. Jim

[@waltr4641]

Jim Misiura Thanks! I'll have to try some of that stuff. Just out of curiosity, where do you live/fish?

[@TheFlymanJim]

I live in N.E. Penna. I fish Eastern Pa, and N.Y.

[@StormLaker]

Do you cut the foam cores out of pairs of cheap closed cell sandals?

[@TheFlymanJim]

You can use it that way. And there are many other items you can use also. But buying foam cylinders is probably the best. Just keep your eyes and your imagination open for different materials that can be used.

[@rigidpsycho]

Where can you find the foam cylinders?

[@TheFlymanJim]

Any mail order catalog or online fly shop should have them. The most popular are made by Rainy's. You can get them in a variety of colors and sizes.

[@urmomgayas]

what size foam

[@TheFlymanJim]

@YoDaddyLikeCornbread : if you cot all that from my video you have some serious problems. You may want to see a psychiatrist, FAST. Sportsman like me have done more for the environment then any other group of people. Here is another little fact for you Bluegill and Sunfish can lay 20,000 to 60,000 eggs per year. So they are in no danger of extinction. Even if someone catches them and throws them on the bank.(which I do not do or approve of.) Cry elsewhere!!!

[@lamoriam]

Thank you for the excellent fly tying tips, it helped me a lot. Regards Jakes