Collection: Panfish Flies

Q: What types of panfish flies do you sell?
A: Drift Outfitters carries a wide selection of panfish flies designed to target bluegill, crappie, perch, and other warmwater species. Our collection includes small poppers, nymphs, wet flies, and streamers that imitate insects, minnows, and other natural prey panfish feed on.

Q: How do I choose the right fly for panfish?
A: Match your fly to the depth and activity level of the fish. Use small poppers or dry flies when panfish are feeding on the surface, nymphs and wet flies in mid-water, and small streamers or leech patterns when they’re deeper or more active. Bright colours like chartreuse, yellow, and orange often trigger aggressive strikes.

Q: What hook sizes are best for panfish flies?
A: Most panfish flies are tied on smaller hooks ranging from size #10 to #16. These sizes allow for easy hooksets and proper proportions that appeal to the smaller mouths of bluegill, perch, and crappie.

Q: Which brands of panfish flies do you carry?
A: Drift Outfitters carries panfish flies from RIO, Rainy’s, MFC, Fulling Mill, and Drift Outfitters’ own custom patterns.Each fly is hand-tied with quality materials to deliver realistic movement, durability, and consistent success on the water.

Q: Can I use trout flies for panfish?
A: Absolutely — many small trout patterns like woolly buggers, hare’s ears, and soft hackles are excellent for panfish. However, specialized panfish flies often include brighter colours, rubber legs, and floating foam bodies that help attract aggressive strikes.

Q: How should I store my panfish flies?
A: Keep your flies in a small or medium waterproof fly box. Let them dry completely before storage to prevent rust or damage to materials.