Flies For Trout

[SpitzoMT]

This is purely a curiosity question, as I'm sure I'll try it sometime anyway.....

Has anyone tried using "Wooly Worms/Buggers" under the ice for trout ??

I've used them often in the summer & have caught some nice size fish with darker colors like black/dark green/green. I've tried green sinking nymphs & some leech patterns under the ice before with some luck, but was just wanting to hear about anyone's experience with the "Wooly's". - Thanks !!

[Seamonkey84]

I’ve had good success with little leech pattern I tied with squirrel strip instead of rabbit. I put a big tungsten bead on it so it works as a jig or to cast. Biggest problem I have with any flies for ice fishing is the fur or feathers freeze while I’m moving from hole to hole.

[meandcuznalfy]

I've used wooly buggers for ice fishing, even tied some 1/8 th oz jigs with them for ice fishing, Marabou jigs also work well.

[phishmonger]

A balanced leech can be a killer under the ice, since they sink horizontal! Not necessarily a bugger, but I count em in the same family.
I've been working on a balanced minnow fly that I'm gonna try this winter, but maybe I'll whip up some balanced buggers as well and let you know how they fish.

[Seamonkey84]

Oh, also, try something that mimicsor resembles water boatman/back swimmers, the trout I catch are full of them and snails. I caught one on a rubber legged pattern I tied. 

[SpitzoMT]

Some interesting replies.....Thanks everyone !!

[eyeflyer]

I have used a floating leech, rigged lindy rig style, some success but not great.

[phishmonger]

Hit the vise last night! It'll probably be 3 weeks before I can get on the ice (lots of travel coming up), but I'll be sure to let you know how they fish.
Balanced bugger:


Jiggy Bugger

[SpitzoMT]

Wow.....Those are sweet phishmonger.....Can't wait to hear how they work !!

Since you have lots of traveling coming up, swing up this way & we'll try em' this weekend.....LOL !!

[phishmonger]

Wow.....Those are sweet phishmonger.....Can't wait to hear how they work !!

Since you have lots of traveling coming up, swing up this way & we'll try em' this weekend.....LOL !!

That's a long swing in the wrong direction, lol! If the weather holds maybe I'll float them under an indicator for some Nebraska panfish.

[Gavins1800]

I used to put nymphs above my jigs on a dropper loop and I had pretty food luck.

[Noon]

On slow days, i drop everything in my tackle box down the hole. Ive had some success on woolies, but i typically end up jigging streamers which have produced.  But as stated above, they tend to freeze and on really cold days they dont thaw effectively enough in the water that their action is compromised. But i havent had any woolies freeze on me in the limited time I used them on the ice

[eyeflyer]

Having good luck with a micro leech (#12)this year. Nothing on the balanced leech so far this year so going to try some chironomids next time out. Smaller seems to be the ticket out there so far this year.

[Ice_Fly_Guy]

Not for trout, but for panfish.  I tie these up for retail and for personal:

[Ice_Fly_Guy]