Behold! Here come the panfish 'n perch! Into this vast conglomeration of little fish, I include the yellow perch, the crappie and all the sunfish - the bluegill, redbreast, redear, pumpkinseed, green, shellcrackers, longear - and Texas' own Rio Grande perch, first cousin to the Peacock Bass. Ordinarily, this assortment of our finny friends does not qualify as gamefish. On the other hand, anyone who has fished for one or more of the species will agree -- these are very game fish.

I've always thought that if the bluegill grew to the size of its cousin, the largemouth bass, few would ever be brought to the net. This pint-sized scrapper would easily replace the permit as the fly fisher's big name trophy. For a fish that rarely exceeds ten inches, the bluegill and its cousins are tough little cookies. Put almost any one of these fish at the other end of a fly line - rod, leader, and tippet sized to match - and you are all but guaranteed a fight with a titan.

Are these little fish popular? You bet! According to a nationwide survey conducted jointly by the Departments of Commerce and Interior, panfish rank second only to bass as the most popular fish in these United States. In Minnesota, I understand bluegills are the most popular species, leading the way over big-name bass, walleye, and crappie. Minnesota, of course, is a state rich in a wide array of fish and an abundant habit to support them. I think this says a lot about the overwhelming popularity of the bluegill, as well as the other panfish listed here. By the way, every once in a while, one of these little fish grows into a whale. According to the reference data I have on hand, the record for redear is 5-lbs. 3 oz.

Surprised read this? Don�t be! Why shouldn't these fish enjoy a broad base of popularity? They attack almost anything with a ferocity belying their size and fight with vigor to defend their territorial rights. Ask any youngster equipped with a little light Zebco rig what life is all about, and he or she is apt to reply, "catching these fun fish!" Come to think of it, eating them isn't bad either.

Did you consider setting aside your quest for bass along with the heavy rigs and simply go after a mess of panfish? It's fun! On the heavyweight side of the panfish family, a two or three pound crappie (white or black) is every bit a fighter as either of the bigger bass. When the crappie are hitting, I know a lot of people who abandon all other gamefish for the chance to fill their chest with this tough nut. If you are looking for a big fish fry, land them with a net. Crappies have fragile mouths.

The yellow perch, another member of my loose family of panfish, is no slouch either. With firm white meat, the yellow perch has won the hearts and minds of ever so many fishermen at the end of a fly line or, for that matter, in the stomach after a fine meal. The yellow perch is a cousin to the walleye perch a.k.a. the wall-eyed pike, a fish enjoying ever-growing popularity.

The Line. Go light! If you ever wanted to fish a light line - say a 1-, 2-, or 3-weight - this is the perfect opportunity. For great sport, always go light for panfish. Either a double taper or a weight-forward floating line is well suited for the battle surely to come. Personally, I favor a 2- or 3-weight double taper floater for several reasons, but especially its inherent roll casting abilities. The Triangle Taper by Royal Wulff is also a good choice.

My experience suggests sunfish will strike at or near the surface. If they are hanging a bit deeper, a sink-tip should easily satisfy the requirement of reaching the "right spot" in the water column. Crappie, however, can present a more difficult problem since they are not usually found at the surface. Depending on the holding depth, a fast sink line may be required to reach the depth of the fish. If this proves to be the case, I recommend moving to a line weight 5 simply because it is more diversified in line availability. Since the only way to surface a sinking line is through the roll cast, I recommend you stay with a double taper line. I don't think you will ever regret it.

The Rod. One of the nice things about fishing for panfish is a $700.00 rod is not required. Of course, I don't know of any freshwater fish that requires a $700.00 rod. The truth is, damned near any old rod will do quite nicely. Fiberglass or graphite, the rod material makes little difference. If you can cast a light line 40 to 50 feet, you've got the right rod! I have yet to see a need to cast 80 feet to catch a panfish, go with a shorter rod, 7-, 7.5, or 8-feet. One of the neat ways of doing this is to buy a spinning blank, graphite or fiberglass, from a firm like Cabela's along with an inexpensive set of guides and a reel seat and handle. Spinning blanks are much less expensive and they make lovely little fly rods. The only trick is to find the spine before wrapping the guides. I discussed how to find the spine earlier in "Folk Tales & Fly Rods - Part 1." If you decide to go this route, pick the action you are most comfortable with whether soft, progressive, or moderate. Making your own panfish special is fun, affordable, and easy! Don't be surprised if it becomes your favorite rod.

The Reels. Any reel will do for panfish. It doesn't make a tinker's bit of difference whether it's a Pflueger Medalist #1492 for about $25.00 or an Abel #0 for a measly $345.00. Both will work equally well. What you spend is up to you, just don't be vulnerable to the sales pitch of your local fly shop.

The Flies. This is really simple! Forget all about "matching the hatch." Simply throw anything as simple as a "made-in-China" cheap bug with rubber legs or any fly, wet or dry, you've used for trout. Whatever you throw is apt to be rewarded with a quick and savage strike. Panfish will hit almost anything from big bass bugs to silver spoons too big to fit in their mouth. What a deal and what more can you ask from a little fish the size of you palm?

The last time I chased panfish, it was with a 7.5 ft., 2-weight and a 7.5 ft. 5X leader; the fly was a #16 Black Gnat. That was a fun day for more reasons than just the panfish I caught. Fishing quite near me were three youngsters using worms, cheese and bobbers. Entering the scene, I asked the usual question, "Catching anything?" The answer was a clear and forceful, "No!"

I flicked the Black Gnat near the edge of the weed bed. Immediately, a sunfish struck hard -- the rod bowed, the line sang as it zigzagged through the water. In a short time a little six-inch bream came to bay. The kids were enraptured. I was a hero in their eyes. I spent the next few hours catching fish and explaining the magic of fly fishing. I only hope their fathers listened to the stories the kids carried home that night.

Summary. Any fly fisher who hasn't pursued the panfish family with his or her kids has missed something -- something critically important. How is your youngster(s) to be introduced to the joy of fishing? Who, if not you, will do it? With a relatively short span of interest, kids need a quick reward for their efforts. Other than panfish, I know of no other that can bring the thrill and excitement of quick success.

The discussion continues with Part 6, "Assembling the System - The Pike Family." Until next time, God Bless you and yours . . ..

� Copyright: Douglas G. Macnair, 1998.