The Joy of Fly Fishing in New Brunswick

Pickerel fising New Bruswick is great fun and most of the time I use my spinning rod and plastic baits while fishing deep in the weeds. It’s just so cool to watch their wakes coming from all directions.

Every once in a while when the conditions are just right I like to get out my fly rod and try a few flies on these toothy chain pickerel. It’s a whole new feeling for fishing pickerel.

I usually tie on a pretty heavy section of mono instead of trying to use a steel leader. I lose some flies but I find it’s so much easier for to cast without the steel leader and personally I feel I get caught up in the weeds far less as well.

I have never been choosey as to which fly to use. I find the pickerel will go after just about anything but I do have more action if I use flies with a bit of bright blood red in it.

I also have, well had, a couple of brown frogs and mice that float really well and make it tough for the pickerel to ignore as they are dragged or popped across the top of the weeds, especially lily pads. Works just like it does for smallmouth bass.

I don’t think I have ever used a sinking fly on pickerel, the top water action is just too enticing for me and I am a very visual guy who loves the top water action.