Night time flies

[Jodess]

After the great discussion my previous question prompted, I figured I'd keep it rolling with a new one. I'm told that conventional wisdom says dark/black flies are best at night, and so far that's proven accurate. I also hear some where that when fishing near lights, (ex: a dock with a post lamp or something) a brighter fly will draw more strikes. I have this sneaking suspicion that the size/bulk of the fly must play a part as well. i feel like the fly should have enough bulk to move some water when stripped, but I can't back that up with any real world experience. What do you guys shoot in the dark, and does that change when near an artificial light source?

[s2ary]

Have you ever noticed an animal cross the road in front of you? They need to be really close to be able to see them in the headlights, however, you can see them nearly an 1/8 of a mile away when they cross in front of oncoming headlights.

It is kinda like that. :wink:

[go_irish]

My experience has been bulky is more important than color, water movement seems to serve as an attractor and can really draw some hard hits. I have had some luck with bugs with rubber legs, again I think it is movement that attracts them.

[ConnorR]

Water pushing > profile > color. I tie them all black because I think it helps so there's no reason not to. If it isn't a little tiring to strip the fly it's not pushing enough water.

I also like to fish a bit higher in the water column because I think the flies are easier to see when the fish looks at them against the sky. Just a theory though.

[TGIF]

Striper dragons and wool heads, buth move a lot of water , which is totally essential at night. Same in fresh water, woolhead sculpins are a go to for me.

Big splashy poppers and crease fly are worth a few casts too.... Be prepared to ice your stripping elbow after a night of making them pop.

[bushbuck]

I agree with TGIF, sculpin patterns are my favorite, but dont forget about a top water mouse pattern to. 2 big glow painted eyes on those sculpins are a big bonus to.

[wet_fly_action]

I have done side by side comparisons of black vs. color at night and the black clearly drew many more strikes. Even under dock lights.
As far as the bulk issue, I think that is more psychological than anything, my best night time fly is a black deceiver.

[ConnorR]

Are we talking about stripers or freshwater species here?

[bushbuck]

My apologies, I didn't realize this was a saltwater thread. I am always in Trout mode..

[ConnorR]

No worries, I just thought I might have to tie up mouse patterns for stripers! (That would have been cool!)

[Salter]

You can tie up an eider duckling which would be similar to fishing a mouse.
as for all black flies at night i totally agree. My two standard night flies are a large all black deceiver and a large all black muddler/sculpin. These are six to sevn inches long and tied on 3/0 hooks.Fished on an intermediate in the surf and a fast sink shooter on the ledges.

[wet_fly_action]

Thought I would give this thread a bump.
Got a personal best 33" striper last night on an all black deceiver. Never been more upset that I forgot my camera. Forgot my stripping basket too, which made things interesting. Looks like I haven't been striper fishing enough this year!

[wet_fly_action]

Good tide for the 2nd night in a row produced a 24", then lost the fly to a blue.
Same black deceiver, time to tie a few more.

[Solid]

Nice job man! I gotta get out soon.

[wet_fly_action]

I gotta get out soon.
You said a mouthful there buddy.