They are edible, but not the tastiest fish. kind of a texture thing. Anyone have any ideas how to catch one on a fly rod? these things live in my neck of the woods and I have caught some on a regular rod and bowfishig, but haven't been able to figure out how to get one on a fly.
Hi Thriller,
My relatives in Missouri tell me they use a small wad of tangled sewing thread or just slightly heavier string of some sort, soaked in fish oil, to catch the South/Central MO, near the Arkansas border variety there (somewhat smaller size than the one in your photo).
Supposedly, no hook is needed as the gar's teeth become hopelessly snagged into the ball of thread or string.
Upon landing one, they just cut the line, close to the knot, then tie on another wad of oily string and try for another one.
They use spinning or casting gear but, I see no reason why a wad of tangled thread or string would not work with fly tackle, as long as it was not so large as to drag in the air too much, when casting with your fly rod.
Some larger salt water patterns are like trying to cast a handkerchief so, fly-casting a modest sized ball of tangled string should not be impossible.
I caught some normal sized and one very large (well over two feet long) needle fish in Honduras, on a minnow pattern a number of years ago.
Needle fish also look quite prehistoric and so perhaps your local gar could be tricked with a minnow pattern (epoxy minnow, Lefty's deceiver, etc.), as long as the water is clear enough for them to see it (perhaps a crayfish pattern or a frog pattern as well ?)
Looks like those toothy fish will quickly wreck your feathers and such though.
Cheers,
Velo Dog.
