An overcast 48-degree day with bitter cold in the forecast sent me to a pond with a 5-weight rod and intermediate line. A white/silver Mini Minnie was counted down to 8 feet near the earthen dam and slow stripped. A small bluegill was brought to hand before 3 short strikes were missed. Convinced the retrieve was still too fast I switched to a size-12 white Bully Spider. By carefully watching the fly line for movement as the fly fell vertically 11 bluegills to 8 inches fought sluggishly in the cold water before submitting. It was a satisfying day.
Winter Bluegill Challenge
