Call me crazy but....

[KyTrkyHntr]

went fishing for GAR with the fly rod on Barren River Lake this past weekend...

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...urrent6034.jpg

Pretty cool sight fishing for these dudes and watch them turn on the fly, follow it and take it, but not much of a fight. I did some google searches before I hit the water and all the posts talked about reel screaming runs, tail walking jumps, etc. I think they were talking about the Alligator Gar as these guys just gave up... It reminded me of the "dork fish" that Bill Engvall talks about. Oh well, I'm getting some casting practice and target practice during the hottest part of the day when the wifey wants to get some sun!!! Good way to kill a hot summer day on the lake!

[walkeraviator]

I watched a fly fishing show on WFN recentlt here they were targeting long nose gar like teh one you are holdin in teh pic and they were fightin like crazy... tail walks and all... i think the water may just be too depleted of oxygen in this heat to give them enough energy to fight hard...

[onemorecast56]

You know you got something there....I`m always flyfishing at Nolin for bluegills,,,I think I`ll try that,,it sounds like a blast,,,and i kow where a bunch of gar hang out down there

[KyTrkyHntr]

I watched a fly fishing show on WFN recentlt here they were targeting long nose gar like teh one you are holdin in teh pic and they were fightin like crazy... tail walks and all... i think the water may just be too depleted of oxygen in this heat to give them enough energy to fight hard...

I was wondering about that. I bet you're right!

[KyTrkyHntr]

You know you got something there....I`m always flyfishing at Nolin for bluegills,,,I think I`ll try that,,it sounds like a blast,,,and i kow where a bunch of gar hang out down there

It will keep you busy that's for sure... A lot of fun!

[eddie_m]

Man, that is awesome! What fly were you using?

[300ZX]

Don't know what was wrong with the gar you caught. All the ones I've caught put up a really good fight. I've caught alot in the spring when they are gathered up spawning and man they put on a show then for sure. Guess the best fight I've ever had!

[walkeraviator]

what weight rod/line were you using?

[walkeraviator]

FlyMax TV was the show i was watchin where they were targeting gar...http://www.wfn.tv/wfntv/programs/show.php?showid=147

[KyTrkyHntr]

Man, that is awesome! What fly were you using?

I was throwing the "rope fly". With all their teeth you don't even need a hook. The rope gets tangled up and they are "hooked". If you google "rope fly" you will find a number of different patterns.

I went with the 1/4" white nylon rope on a #2 saltwater hook with some red dumbbell eyes since I had some hooks already from tying some flies. I used some red thread to finish the fly. Make sure you use some weight (heavy hook with dumbbell eyes or lead tying wire) to get it down in the water colum around 2-3 ft. When you start stripping the fly it rises and if it's right in front of them they will turn on it and follow it and take it. Let them chomp on it a couple of times and that's it! I was throwing one I tied with no weight on a ring and it ran too shallow for me. Just use the same strips as you would with a big streamer pattern and that seems to be the trick!

I'm no expert on this, but it sure is a lot of fun. I thought it would be a PITA getting the nylon out from their teeth, but as long as you have something to hold their mouth open and a good pair of needle nose pliers you're good to go!

Hope this helps!!

Going after them again this weekend..... still learning!!

[KyTrkyHntr]

Don't know what was wrong with the gar you caught. All the ones I've caught put up a really good fight. I've caught alot in the spring when they are gathered up spawning and man they put on a show then for sure. Guess the best fight I've ever had!

Not sure.... I mean they would run some when I got them near the boat, but never really took off or jumped. Just kinda came in when I stripped them back to the boat...

[elnutsmalljaws]

Since they did not fight very hard, I do know way to give you some more action......LIP HIM!!!!!


You can even make a sporting event between your fishing buddy and yourself. First you measure the length of the fish then whomever caught him has to LIP HIM and hang on for as long as possible as the other times it with a stopwatch. At the end of the day add up the total lengths of all the fish you caught and divide it by the total time you were able to LIP THEM and you will get a "Time LIPPED per inch". If you really want to get creative you could add in BONUS points for number of fingers cut, number of cuts that show bone, take away points for the person that put Bandaids on his cuts, but add points for the fella that used Duct Tape and a paper towel instead, add points for any finger digit completely lost in the struggle, take away points if the same fella goes to the hospital, but anyone that completely loses part of their finger in the stuggle and choses to NOT go to the hospital is THE WINNER (which means he came in second to the fish who is actually the real winner for he got a free meal and returned to the water)!!!

I know I am sick and have too much time on my hands to think up this game, just trying to help make it more exciting for EVERYONE ELSE, because I don't own a fly rod - Float N Fly is as close as I get, and if I did Gar are way down the list of my target species.