Whilst out fishing the other day on my local river hull I managed to catch some roach and perch and even a flatfish on the fly! These little fish love to chase a fly and fight well for there size.

Hi Paul, you've managed another Flounder then.
Well done mate.
Got to get my ass out fishing more and pay you visit, just snowed with work right now.
all the best.
Dee

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It's not flyfishing if you're throwing bait in....learn to do it properly

pm sent Paul T 68

Looks you picked that one up on a goldhead nymph. I've had the odd one in muddy estuaries saltwater fishing. Just wondering if you think the fly pattern matters much or is it just a case they will chase most things popping along on the bottom?

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Seatrout on streamers - nothin compares

Fishingdanny yes you are right it was caught on a size 12 pheasent tail gold head. The fly was fished upstream on a sinking line gathering in the line at the speed of the current feeling for knocks.
I had another small flounder chase the fly into shallow water, as I saw it turn and miss showing its creamy coloured belly this made me think they are really up for a fly! I have caught them before on the fly and like you say they do like a fly which is popped or pulled steady along the bottom as they are bottom feeders.
I use a gold bead to get the fly down and also for that added attraction in murky water, ( bait fishermen use small bright coloured beads near baited hooks to attract flatties).
Dont be afraid of fishing in coloured water they still find the fly, try at low tide that is when I have caught mine perhaps low water allows more light penetration.
These fish may be small but they are aggressive and fight hard for their size I am still experimenting and hopefully will catch some more!

Paul,

I will try it. I fish a tidal stretch of a salmon river sometimes and in cloloured water the worm guys cant keep em off in end of august/september so I will give it a try. Will tie a few nymphs with double beads for em - esp. rainbow beads.

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Seatrout on streamers - nothin compares

Thats fantastic. Im off to Northumberland for a holiday and its got tons of flat fish never thought about targeting them on the fly. After your post im definatly going to give it a go.

Cheers

very interesting never heard of flatties on the fly before some food for thought there what other types of flies would you suggest also what type of rod etc , loads of flatties on my doorstep could be my first crack at swff
any help or advice would be great

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i started out with nothing and still have most of it left

Nappa I would try a small goldbead nymph pattern like the pheasent tail nymph. I have also heard that a gold bead hares ear nymph is a good fly as it represents a small shrimp which flatties love to eat.
Flatties also love worms though not sure which fly to use for those!
Try sluggish inland waterways that are connected to an estuary as these will be easier to fish and fish your fly on the bottom.
I use a 6 wt rod so I can change to a sinking line if required and a 3 to 4lb tippet.
Try fishing at low tide and look carefully at the water as flatties often give themselves away as they suddenly swim off, this is seen as a sudden puff of muddy cloud in the water.
Flatties swim miles upriver so be prepared to catch them anywere, I am no expert but I hope this helps good luck!

Nice looking wee flatties Paul, used to encounter them accidently salmon fishing on the lower reaches. They often used to really go for orange flies (never got them on darker flies) if that is any use! I remember a few people often catching them on Ally Shrimps!

I've heard of some people fishing for them using bobbies also just suspended off the bottom.