How to Use a Spincast Bubble Fly

A wide variety of flies can be fished with a bubble fly rig

Fishing with artificial trout flies does not have to be limited to using a fly rod. Insect hatches on lakes and rivers can be fished with matching flies fished with a spinning outfit. Whether with a fly rod or spinning outfit, flies are fished in the same manner. The only difference is how the fly is delivered to the water. The method called bubble fly fishing utilizes a clear plastic bobber and light leader. The bubble provides the weight to cast the fly. Dry and wet flies as well as nymphs and streamers can be fished with a bubble.

Things You'll Need

• Spinning rod and reel
• Monofilament leader material, 4 lb. test
• Clear bobbers
• Barrel swivel, small
• Artificial flies

Instructions

1. Slide the bubble onto the line coming out of the rod. Tie a small swivel to the end of the line under the bubble. Tie between three and four feet of 4 pound test leader to the opposite end of the swivel and tie a fly to the end of the leader.

2. Cast the bubble and fly up stream on rivers and let the fly drift naturally on the current. Reel in the slack line as the bubble goes down stream so you can feel when a fish takes the fly. When the bubble reaches the end of the drift down stream reel it in and cast upstream again.

3. Cast straight out on slow current streams and slowly reel the fly back, giving the fly a swimming appearance. When the fly completes the drift downstream, then continue to reel it back in slowly. Fish will often follow the fly on the drift and then take it when it appears they will lose it.

4. Fish the fly and bubble on a lake by casting it out and reeling in the line until the bubble moves 6 to 12 inches and the leader straightens out. Let the fly sit motionless on the water to give the fish a chance to take it. Twitch the fly to make a ripple on the water and then let it sit; continue this reeling and twitching action until the fly is reeled in.

5. Reel a streamer fly in with short jerks to imitate a darting bait fish.Turn the reel handle three or four times and then jerk the fly toward you 6 to 12 inches. Repeat the action until the streamer is all the way in.

Tips & Warnings

• An alternate method of rigging the line is to tie the line and leader directly to the top and bottom of a bubble that has rings on each end. This eliminates the swivel and gives the fly a more natural drift.

• The bubble provides all the weight needed to cast, do not add sinkers to the line.

• Wade out into the water to cast and retrieve. This will keep the fly consistently working in deeper water rather than reeling it in through shallow water where there are no fish.

• Do not tie the ankle laces of hip boots or chest waders when wading in swift water. Falling in or stepping into a deep hole will fill the boots with water and pull you under and downstream quickly. In that situation you will need to be able to kick the boots off quickly.

References

• Active Angler: Fly and Bubble Rig for Lake Fishing