Fly Fishing for Longnose Gar in Georgian Bay
Georgian Bay, a sprawling arm of Lake Huron, offers fly anglers the chance to target one of its most unique and challenging species: the longnose gar. These prehistoric fish, with their elongated snouts and needle-like teeth, are a sight to behold and a thrill to catch on the fly. Successfully targeting longnose gar requires an understanding of their biology and behaviour, specialized tackle, and precise techniques. Georgian Bay’s fertile waters, particularly areas like Honey Harbour, Severn Sound, and Nottawasaga Bay, provide ideal habitats for these fascinating predators.
The Biology and Behavior of Longnose Gar
The longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus) is a true relic of the past, with a lineage dating back over 100 million years. Their most striking feature is their elongated, bony snout filled with sharp teeth, perfectly adapted for ambushing prey such as small fish and crustaceans.
One remarkable adaptation of the longnose gar is its ability to breathe air. Equipped with a primitive lung-like structure, gar can surface to gulp air in low-oxygen environments. This behaviour not only allows them to thrive in shallow, weedy waters but also provides a key clue for anglers seeking to locate them. Observing gar surfacing in calm, warm areas can help pinpoint their location.
Gar typically spawn in late spring or early summer when water temperatures reach 68–82°F (20–28°C). During this time, they gather in shallow, weedy areas, making them more accessible to fly anglers. Post-spawn, they remain near vegetated shallows, often basking near the surface in the heat of the day.
Prime Locations for Longnose Gar in Georgian Bay
Georgian Bay is home to extensive marshes, estuaries, and shallow flats, all of which provide ideal gar habitat. Focus on these hotspots:
Honey Harbour: A network of shallow bays and weedy inlets perfect for spotting gar basking or hunting.
Severn Sound: Known for its warm, vegetated waters, Severn Sound offers consistent opportunities to sight-fish for gar.
Nottawasaga Bay: Shallow flats and channels rich in vegetation make this area a gar haven, especially during the summer months.
Fly Tackle and Gear for Longnose Gar
Targeting longnose gar requires a robust and precise fly setup to manage their strength and unique physiology.
Fly Rod: An 8 weight rod provides the power to cast larger flies and handle aggressive fish in weedy conditions.
Fly Line: A weight-forward floating line is ideal for presenting flies on or just below the surface.
Leader and Tippet Formula: Use a short, sturdy leader with a 20–30 lb fluorocarbon tippet to withstand their sharp teeth and prevent break-offs.
Fly Patterns for Longnose Gar
Longnose gar’s narrow, bony mouths make traditional hook sets challenging. Specialized fly patterns improve the odds of hooking and landing these fish.
Rope Flies: These hookless flies are made with frayed nylon rope that tangles in the gar’s teeth. White, red, and chartreuse are effective colours. Take your time to ensure no material is left in the fishes teeth when releasing. These excel in extremely weedy environments, no hook to foul up.
Streamers with Stinger Hooks: Large baitfish patterns like deceivers or articulated streamers work well when equipped with treble hook stingers to improve hook-ups.
Techniques for Targeting Longnose Gar
Sight Fishing: Longnose gar are most often found in shallow, clear water, making sight fishing an effective strategy.
From a Boat: Position yourself downwind and approach slowly with a trolling motor or paddle/ push pole to avoid spooking the fish. Look for gar surfacing or hovering near vegetation.
On Foot: When wading, move cautiously to minimize noise and vibrations. Polarized sunglasses are essential for spotting gar in the water.
Presentation Tips:
Cast ahead of cruising gar and allow your fly to settle. Use slow, deliberate strips to mimic injured baitfish or other prey.
When fishing rope flies, don’t set the hook traditionally. Instead, allow the gar to clamp down on the fly and begin stripping slowly to entangle the rope in its teeth.
Challenges of Hooking and Landing Longnose Gar
The gar’s bony mouth and sharp teeth make hook-ups notoriously difficult. To increase success:
Use flies designed to tangle or catch in their narrow snouts.
Employ firm, steady pressure once the fish is hooked or tangled.
Use a long-handled net to safely land these powerful fish.
Ideal Time of Year to Target Longnose Gar
Late spring to early summer, coinciding with the gar’s spawning period, is the best time to target them. During this time, they are more concentrated in shallow, vegetated areas. Summer months also offer good opportunities, as gar often bask near the surface during warm, sunny days.
Other Target Species in Georgian Bay
Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth bass are abundant in Georgian Bay’s rocky areas and drop-offs.
Tackle: A 6- to 8-weight rod with a floating or intermediate line.
Flies:
Poppers for surface action.
Clouser Minnows in olive and white.
Crayfish patterns for rocky bottoms.
Freshwater Drum
Often found in sandy or gravelly flats, freshwater drum are underrated fly rod targets.
Tackle: A 7- to 9-weight rod with a sinking line.
Flies:
Baitfish and crayfish patterns.
Weighted nymphs in natural tones.
Bowfin
Bowfin share similar habitats with gar, especially in weedy bays and estuaries.
Tackle: An 8- to 9-weight rod with a 15–20 lb leader.
Flies: Woolly Buggers, frog patterns, and crayfish imitations.
Northern Pike
Pike are apex predators that thrive in weedy shallows.
Tackle: A 8- to 10-weight rod with a steel or fluorocarbon leader.
Flies:
Large streamers in bright colours.
Topwater frog and mouse flies.
Fly fishing for longnose gar in Georgian Bay offers a unique challenge and a glimpse into the prehistoric past. These ancient fish, with their air-breathing abilities and powerful strikes, provide an unforgettable angling experience. By understanding their behaviour, equipping yourself with the right gear, and honing your sight-fishing techniques, you’ll increase your chances of success. With additional opportunities to target smallmouth bass, freshwater drum, bowfin, and northern pike, Georgian Bay is a must-visit destination for fly anglers seeking adventure and variety.
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