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Step 1
Fly fish for panfish in many of the freshwater streams and lakes across the United States. You typically don't have to go very far to find a good spot for panfish fly fishing. Most people, particularly those who live in more rural areas, need look no further than their own backyards for the perfect fly fishing environment for panfish.
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Step 2
Get the right rod for the job. Fly rods are made of either fiberglass or graphite. Note that a graphite rod weighs less, but it costs more. A seven to eight foot long, five or six weight fly rod is a good choice for panfish.
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Step 3
Choose the right line. There are level, weight forward, double taper, and sinking tip lines. Level fly line is the cheapest of the bunch but the most difficult to cast. Sinking tip lines get deeper in the water than is possible with the other lines. Really any of them would be an acceptable choice for most varieties of panfish, so it is best to keep in mind both your budget and your future fishing needs when choosing an appropriate line.
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Step 4
Take one or more of many different types of flies that will attract panfish. One of the most popular choices is a dry fly known as the popper. The popper has a large head that makes a popping noise when retrieved, hence its name. A popular wet fly for panfish is the streamer. Keep in mind that panfish are not as finicky as some other fish, such as trout, so you can get by with a slightly smaller variety of flies than you would ordinarily.
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Step 5
Use fly fishing for panfish as an opportunity to try different techniques for fly fishing. Panfish are notoriously easy to catch. This is the perfect opportunity for the amateur angler to bone up on his craft and for the more experienced angler to teach a friend or loved one the ins and outs of beginning fishing techniques. Note that panfish will rise to take a dry fly or attack most wet flies presented to them at varying depths, so it is also a good opportunity to learn about the different tastes of different species of fish--information which may prove useful later on in your fishing career.
