jiggerjohn
Active member
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2010
- Messages
- 547
Trout limits have come exceedingly easy this Spring, despite complaints from the bait&wait crowd. Now, my warming water crappie and bluegills are turning on bigtime with the same methods. Onlookers are fascinated as I describe learning my distance casting water bubble and jig method from an Alaskan Eskimo Elder based on his own 60 + years experience with his particular well honed float 'n fly technique in the deep Alaskan bush. Yet these new friends have to laugh, after conjuring up a mystical age-old fishing guru, when I tell them that Chris Kiana is a Vietnam vet, has a doctorate in business administration, and has authored 5 books (including one on water bubble fishing)!But his system of gridding a section of water to systematically work a bubble and small jig has proven to be an amazingly effective shoreline fishing concept, especially within hard fished urban lakes,ponds, rivers, and streams!
Another important part of my surprisingly good recent results is the unique jig I've been using. Taking the lead from renowned Minnesota guide and fly fisherman, Craig Riendeau (check his site "Off The Deep Edge" for some great articles!) I've been using my version of his "Wee Willy Wiggler" fly, tied on Hawnjigs' 1/64 oz jighead, below my water bubble. This lure is merely some hair or hackle tied up front with an amazingly active 1" silicone "Leg" from a child's "Koosh ball" toy! I can't say enough about these odd colored llittle "worms" with their subtle but always nervous, squirmy motion - especially when retreived behind a water bubble, or just allowed to sit under an indicator,letting the waves generate the wiggle (as Craig does).
My best success has come from heaving a half filled Bubble out where others can't reach, then very slowly reeling the tiny silicone jig-fly back in, as Dr. Chris advocates. Every now and then, I'll pause and allow the jig to slowly sink down -the hollow tubed water bubble also doubles as a very effective slip float. One way or another, when trout or panfish view the spasming silicone worm,they can't help but blast it! Heck, I may take my bubbles & jigs down to OBX on an upcoming saltwater trip -I'll write a complete report! And ,if there's further interest I'd love to build a discussion on water bubble and jig tactics that others have developed!
Another important part of my surprisingly good recent results is the unique jig I've been using. Taking the lead from renowned Minnesota guide and fly fisherman, Craig Riendeau (check his site "Off The Deep Edge" for some great articles!) I've been using my version of his "Wee Willy Wiggler" fly, tied on Hawnjigs' 1/64 oz jighead, below my water bubble. This lure is merely some hair or hackle tied up front with an amazingly active 1" silicone "Leg" from a child's "Koosh ball" toy! I can't say enough about these odd colored llittle "worms" with their subtle but always nervous, squirmy motion - especially when retreived behind a water bubble, or just allowed to sit under an indicator,letting the waves generate the wiggle (as Craig does).
My best success has come from heaving a half filled Bubble out where others can't reach, then very slowly reeling the tiny silicone jig-fly back in, as Dr. Chris advocates. Every now and then, I'll pause and allow the jig to slowly sink down -the hollow tubed water bubble also doubles as a very effective slip float. One way or another, when trout or panfish view the spasming silicone worm,they can't help but blast it! Heck, I may take my bubbles & jigs down to OBX on an upcoming saltwater trip -I'll write a complete report! And ,if there's further interest I'd love to build a discussion on water bubble and jig tactics that others have developed!