Lake Erie Walleye from shore
 

I have this crazy notion to stand on a breakwall and fish for walleye on the fly. Realizing the lunacy of this thought, and deciding to proceed anyway, I thought I'd kick around for some advice. So far the plan is to build a 10' leader down to around 3X, then duncan loop a clouser minnow, leech, etc and fish off of a long rock groin jutting out into Lake Erie. Furthermore, I thought I would go 5wt for this endeavor. Any suggestions on flies, leaders, etc would be appreciated. George McFly, you're welcome to join me!

Re: Lake Erie Walleye from shore
 

haha I used to fish the breakwall by lorain lighthouse but never with a fly.. my idea was to go on my boat and try it figured ya have better luck. don't know tho with all the gas prices all high now.. prolly cost a alot to fill up and my boat eats gas like a fat gurl eats cake.. haha it could work tho when do they come in close? now??

Re: Lake Erie Walleye from shore
 

Go for it! I think now would be the time if you have an area that is rocky...Try some Emerald Shiner patterns...Good Luck...

Dan

Re: Lake Erie Walleye from shore
 

My understanding is that in early spring the walleye are near shore in rocky areas. I am not sure what the bottom structure I would be fishing looks like, but these groins are long rock structures that go a few hundred feet out into the lake. I am thinking that if I were a fish, there would be lots of places to congregate and feed among those rocks. There are a lot of upsides to the fly rod idea, chief among them the lack of casting obstacles. I'll give it a try after stocking up on some walleye-worthy flies.

Re: Lake Erie Walleye from shore
 

I just started tying walleye flies, sadley, i am yet to catch a walleye on a fly(I only tried once so far), so i dont have too many ideas, but i am tying mostly chartruese and orange streamers. Using spinning lures, and the bright colored swim baits as my inspiration.

If you have any luck, you should post your fly patterns here though, i am interested in what you are going to use, as i will be trying for more walleyes on fly later this year.

Re: Lake Erie Walleye from shore
 

I'm certainly no walleye expert, but I do pursue them around here. From what I know right now, and then later in the fall, are probably among the best times to get them with a fly. This time of year they definitely come close to shore, and more importantly...shallow. I think thats the main problem with getting them on the fly, getting down to them. How I target them right now is to toss out a leech from shore with a 3/4oz. weight and about a 4' leader and let it sit, they will find it. I'm not sure how that translates to catching them with a fly, but I would say something weighted to get down.

Re: Lake Erie Walleye from shore
 

Walleye are in the shallows in Erie right now for spawning. If you can find a shallow rock bar within wading distance of shore it would be ideal for the fly rod. I think a Clouser tied up in Chart/white, blue/white, green/white, would work nicely for them.

If you have the opportunity to fish them in a small river, wooly buggers will work fine for them. When the water is fairly clear; stick with the natural colors, black, olive, and brown. Flourescent colors for stained.

Dan

Re: Lake Erie Walleye from shore
 

Thanks everyone. I went out last night to a secondary casting spot and got hung up on some rocks. The water clarity is still not quite there, but I have a few different minnow patterns for that. I tied up a few new leaders to cope with the rocks, so I'll report back with any news.

Here's a photo of the armament...

Re: Lake Erie Walleye from shore
 

Nice looking flies...I would go with the Clousers...try tying an all black one for night...

Dan

Re: Lake Erie Walleye from shore
 

I too am going to try to fish Walleye on the fly this year
here in Michigan. I might suggest a little heavier rod, unless
you have used a 5wt before. I used to use my 9' 5wt Scott
to fish for Smallmouth, but hooking into some big ones really
puts a bend in the rod & made me go up to a 7wt.

Best of luck,

Tie One On