For these reasons, there is an increasing number of anglers who delight in catching tough little panfish with fly-rod tackle, and now is the time to do it.

The tiny bream that excited youngsters keeps up its popularity through the years. The cane pole graduates to ultralight spinning rods to Orvis 2-weight fly rods.

But fly-fishing for panfish with one of those little popping bugs made out of wood, feathers and rubber bands – now that’s an art. If you can do that well, call yourself a fisherman.

When it finally gave up and allowed me to pull it across the surface to my kayak, I could see why, even on a 5-weight fly rod, the bream had given such a good account of itself. It was huge.

Tackling large, open expanses of water for specimen bream and tench can be a daunting business – but by following a few simple guidelines, the rewards are there to be had.

Courtesy PhotoLapeer County fly fisherman Dave Wermuth caught this 11.25-inch bluegill on a damsel fly on July 15.LAPEER COUNTY, Michigan -- Fly fishing usually brings to mind images of Hemingway ...