Teeth | Fly Fishing for Longnose Gar

With a week off from school, I decided to take some time to showcase fly fishing for Longnose Gar, one of the most underappreciated rough fish to target. These are some incredibly ancient fish, dating back all the way to Pleistocene era. With a lifespan of around twenty years, they can grow to over five feet long and weigh around 40lbs. A primitive lung allows them to thrive in areas with low oxygenation, and if you pay attention in the video you'll see them occasionally come to the surface and gulp air before diving back down. Their snouts are filled with razor sharp teeth, and large armored scales line their backs. Despite their unassuming appearance, these fish are a worthy opponent on a fly rod. Impressive bursts of speed, occasional acrobatic leaps, and prolonged fights are a characteristic of these fish. Not to mention they are pretty abundant in most river systems on the East Coast and in the Midwest, much like the Bowfin. I missed some great fish in the video so I will definitely be back at some point.
GEAR:
Rods: TFO Mangrove Coast, 8wt & 10wt
Reels: Lamson Speedster (Older model, 10wt; I also didn't use it but it served as my backup) and Orvis Clearwater 8wt
Dry Bag: Simms Dry Creek Z Backpack
Flies: Gar flies; I put a link in the video if you want to tie some yourself, otherwise you may be able to order some from select fly shops or fly companies.
Miscellaneous: Definitely bring a thick landing glove, pliers, and a sharp knife in case you need to cut the nylon out of the mouth. Leave the net at home unless you want a gar sized hole in the bottom of it.
Also, if you haven't checked out Captains for Clean Water, you should. On top of being a conservation group for the Everglades, they are auctioning off a Hells Bay Skiff in a raffle (Incredibly nice boat, retailing around 30k)

[@texascarpangler2389]

Amazing content! Nice setup all around

[@dtffishingmi]

That's sick! I saw some big gar in the river today - want to try to catch them on the Tenkara rod. Will have to create some of these rope fly things.

[@halfmoonflyfishing]

Don’t take this the wrong way, but you won’t be catching 10-20lb Gar on a Tenkara rod. Maybe the smaller ones. But happy hunting!

[@dtffishingmi]

@@halfmoonflyfishing Challenge accepted! Maybe not soon, but I’ll get it done. Enjoyed your videos - keep it up 👍

[@halfmoonflyfishing]

@@dtffishingmi good luck brother! And thank you!

[@OkieFish]

Awesome video. Casually slamming gar on the fly...I'm inspired!

[@halfmoonflyfishing]

It’s a great fishery that’s seldom taped into. Fished with a guy last year who typically fished trout and was amazed at how large they can grow

[@jonathanfreeman3892]

Bring back the videos man! I can only watch the same video so many times 😂😂 great videos my friend. Caught my first gar on a fly two days ago and I'm fully hooked!

[@halfmoonflyfishing]

I'm glad you're enjoying them my dude. I actually tried to shoot two videos recently but neither really turned out what I was expecting. Now school has geared up again so I'm holding out for another trip. Thanks for following along, I'm working on an update for the channel that I'll release over the next few weeks.

[@TheFlyFishingFilmmaker]

Fun stuff! I really want to catch a gar without a hook ... hopefully next time I'm in Dallas I can get into some. Fun video!

[@halfmoonflyfishing]

Good luck, and make sure to bring some pliers! 🤘🏼

[@sandbearr]

loved this video , on the mission for fly on the gar! in central NC , lots of gar in local rivers! very excited to hit the water

[@halfmoonflyfishing]

@@sandbearr Get after it man! They are awesome fish to target on a fly rod, anything above 10-15lbs will be an incredible fight. Good luck!

[@alexcamillo780]

What rivers do you typically fish in Georgia for gar?

[@halfmoonflyfishing]

Honesty, just about every river and lake in Georgia has them. Typically behind dams or around big bends in rivers where the Eddie’s form up at. If you fish for them with a fly rod then you’ll need the water to be somewhat clear so you can sight fish them.

[@TeamNightJam]

Great video. Best gar on fly video on KZbin💯

[@halfmoonflyfishing]

Big thanks! Hopefully some better ones to come this summer!

[@stripstrikeflyfishing7746]

Gar are one of my favorite freshwater fish to target on fly here in Texas. Great video, thanks for sharing.

[@halfmoonflyfishing]

One day I'll make the trip there to find some alligator gar. Thanks for watching!

[@oldsmugglerflyfishing]

Nice fish.

[@halfmoonflyfishing]

Thanks man! There was definitely some bigger ones around and I lost a huge one in the end of the video.

[@bencc0520]

Fellow Georgian! Great content you’ve earned a subscriber!

[@halfmoonflyfishing]

I appreciate the comment! Thanks for watching!

[@yakmaniacs]

This is quality 🔥 nice fish. We need to get together to fish sometime. Maybe do a float!

[@halfmoonflyfishing]

If I can find some time from school, this was about only the fourth time I’ve been on the water this year

[@yakmaniacs]

@@halfmoonflyfishing our schedules are pretty packed right now anyways. If you have a weekend a couple of weeks ahead just let us know.

[@gerardobeltran2742]

What are you using can you tell me where i can buy

[@halfmoonflyfishing]

I actually tie them myself, but I don’t sell any. There’s a video I linked if you want to tie them, otherwise you can look on Etsy or I think Blue Line Co also sells them. Hope that helps!