fly fishing for bass

does anyone have any tricks or tips on how to get these stubborn bass to bite a fly here in dfw area? I have been struggling pretty bad lately and just looking to be pointed in the right direction on how to get them to bite. any advice would be greatly appreciated

Start with a popper or a frog pattern first. If there’s a hungry bass around they’re bound to hit it. Also could try a minnow pattern like a soluble minnow. Seems like a lot of times even if they don’t attack the minnow they’ll give it a soft bite just out of curiosity.

Wooley Booger olive, black or. dark and a cloussr.

been using all the flies mentioned and ill have some bass show interest in them but they will never commit. any tricks to make them commit to eating the fly once I can see one showing interest? maybe I'm just fishing bad spots idk lol

Hey Ryan,

Time of day may be just as important as fly selection this time of year. I find fishing as early as possible or as late as possible (even after dark with a popper) seems to improve my odds when the heat of summer sets in.

Good luck
Chris

I do this when fishing local ponds. Wooly buggers are the bomb!

Try changing you retrieve speed. Sometimes double hauling with a popper will encourage a bite. However, some days it seems like they just won’t strike. Keep at it and you will get some.

I tie worm patterns...just long chenille, feathered head with some flash, and fish them like plastics. (Imagine you are trying to get an invisible kitten to attack it). A couple of taps...feed them line, then set as it tightens. A section of lead core or similar section of fast sinking flylie built into the leader makes casting lots tighter and further.

What does double hauling have to do with changing retrieve speed? Just wondering.

Yep, my bad. Confusing local term I use with some of my saltwater fly fishing buddies. We call a really fast 2-handed retrieve a double hauling retrieve. The idea in freshwater is to get the fly to have the effect of a spinner. It is deadly on king mackerel and fun to try and keep them from catching the fly. Thanks for the comment. I am old and don’t make sense sometimes.

Google “fly fishing for tiger fish” those fish like a blazing fast retrieve. I see guys casting then tucking the rod under one arm and strip as fast as they can with two hands. I cant see the need for that kind of retrieve for local bass but what the heck do I know. Maybe some bass like it that fast.

I doubt the speed of your retrieve is the problem. If you are fishing early and late with an olive woolly bugger and not getting any action at all, I would start to question whether there are bass in the pond. They are not picky but try a few different flies. If you keep getting skunked I would find a new place to fish.

Longer, lighter leader?

Consider water temperature. Should be acting more frisky now that nights are cooling off. They're very shallow on Ray Roberts, and even mudding just like carp these days!