What to use when the fish are jumping

[Barret]

My brother lives by a local community fishing pond that we like to fish at when we have an hour or two of free time. The last time we went fishing there, we went about an hour before dusk. we found an area where the fish were jumping like crazy (like 3-4 jumps a minute). We had a few bites, caught 1 bow, but not a ton of luck. We knew the fish were there but just couldn't figure out what they wanted to bite on. the pond has trout, bluegill, bullhead.

I dont know a ton about fishing. Im kind of learning as I go, but when fish jump like this are they doing so because they are feeding? If this is the case, what type of lure or bait would be good to mimic these surface bugs? I tried a small fluffy jig, a spinner, a small rapala, basically anything I could get near the surface or that resembled an insect, but no luck.

I was thinking fly fishing would be great for this scenario, but dont have the equipment nor the knowledge.

I did read about a bubble rig with a fly, and I think I might try this next time there are a lot of jumpers (still not sure if I should use a wet or dry fly for this).That said, what is your go-to when the fish are jumping. Is there anything I am missing, or that I could do better?

Thanks
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[albinotrout]

Hi barret, yes the fly and the bubble will work great in this scenario. pick up some dry flies like renegades, royal wullf, anything that matches what the fish are feeding on. Wet flies will do good here as well. For the dry flies be sure only to fill the bubble half way. for the wet flies or streamers (I like to use woolly buggers) fill the bubble full. The fly and bubble works great if the trout aren't surfacing either. Have fun and report back on how you do.[cool]
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[flygoddess]

To add to TD's advise, Elk Hair Caddis and Stimulators too. Try tying a 20" tag and run a smaller nymph like Haresear, Pheasant Tail.

There is also this stuff called indicator putty. You can get it in the fly section of Sportsman's, Cabela's, Scheels. It is a putty in bright yellow or red. Comes in a little plastic tin. Take a small clump and form a ball on the line. It has the weight to get the fly out there without a big splash from a bubble. Although it has weight, it floats like a cork. You can make it any size you want to. When done, put it back in the tin for another day.
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