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Techniques and tactics for nymphing by Brett Fogle

Just like dry fly fishing, there are many, many ways to fish a

nymph. Which one you should use really boils down to how skilled

you are in nymph fly fishing and what you are attempting to catch

and where you are doing it. Make sense? Probably not, but let’s

move forward to give you some idea on the different nymphing

techniques available when fly fishing.

This e-book goes over the easiest method for beginners to use.

The more effective Dead Drift Method is covered in a bit.

Nymph Fly Fishing Technique : Beginner Method

This method of fishing nymphs is probably the easiest for any

beginner to use, and is certainly a good way to get introduced to

nymphing in general. This nymph fly fishing technique, which

involves casting the nymph directly across the river and then

letting is float all the way down to a point on the river

directly below the angler, removes many of the problems of nymph

fly fishing for the new anglers.

The beginner method of fly fishing with nymphs is quite simple.

First, just cast your nymph directly across the stream from where

you stand. Then, let the fly float down the river, keeping the

line tight as it floats away as well as following the fly with

your fly rod. Eventually, the nymph will be at a point directly

downstream from you.

This is the point you want. Due to the current, here the nymph

will begin to “rise” out of the depths due to the current of the

river. The current will also wiggle the little nymph all around.

Thus, when the nymph is directly downstream from you, hold the

nymph there for a couple of seconds, and then gradually raise the

tip of your fly rod, which will bring the nymph a bit further up

from the depths of the river. This is the most likely point of a

strike using this method.

This is a nice method for beginners, as it is all done by feel,

not by sight. You do not need to use a strike indicator for this

nymph fly fishing method. Instead, since the fly line will be

tense at all times, you will feel a trout strike immediately.

Moreover, setting the hook is a snap too, since the trout will

hook itself when it takes your fly - due to the tight tension in

the fly line.

So, what’s wrong with this beginner method? A number of things,

actually. First, the only point this method is likely to draw any

strikes is right at the point where your nymph begins to lift off

from the depths of the river. This greatly narrows the scope of

the effectiveness of this fly fishing method; since the vast

majority of the float of the nymph is “wasted” (trout are

unlikely to take a nymph that is careening at weird angles across

a river).

Secondly, since the point of the strike will occur directly below

you, you need to make sure that you are able to be directly

upstream of this point. If, for some reason (and there are lots

of potential reasons) you can’t get directly upstream of this

point, you’re unlikely to get your fly there.

And, lastly, this method won’t work from a boat very well. This

beginner method is mainly designed for the angler who is fly

fishing with nymphs from the shore.

This page covered the "beginners nymphing method", for lack of

better terminology. While this method is an excellent way for the

beginner to get started in nymph fly fishing, there are better

methods available.

So, let's look more closely at advanced nymphing techniques,

particularly the Dead Drift Method for Nymph Fishing.

The method listed above is an excellent method for beginner

anglers to use when fly fishing with wet flies. However, there

are a modifications of this basic method that will improve your

fly fishing productivity and are not much more difficult to learn

how to do. This page discusses several of these methods.

About the Author

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Choosing The Proper Fly Fishing Leader and Tippet by Cameron Larsen

Selecting the correct tapered leader and tippet for the type of fishing you are about to do is crucial. Nothing can spook fish quicker than an oversized tippet for the particular situation. On the other hand, and undersized tippet can result in the fly fisher losing their trophy before they even get a photo opportunity. We will start at the very basic of leader and tippet selection and then get more specific, and hopefully conclude with enough information so we’ll always have the proper leader and tippet for all upcoming fishing scenarios.

What is leader and tippet

Leader and tippet is the final connection between the fly fisher and their fly. It is the section of line after the fly line and before the fly. It’s purpose is to transfer energy from the fly line down to the fly, allow for natural presentation of the fly, and then be strong enough for the fly fisher to retrieve any fish that might strike at the naturally presented fly. Sounds simple enough, but this is fly fishing, and fly fishers have been around a long time. And as a group we seem to think about everything related to our sport a lot, and therefore probably have over complicated things a tad.

The leader in fly fishing is tapered. It is thicker at the butt section, then at the tippet section. It is usually divided into three sections, the butt is tied directly to the fly line, and is the longest portion of the leader, about 60%. The mid-section is next and its purpose is to taper down to the tippet without losing a lot of strength. The final section is the tippet, it is the actual section that is tied to the fly. It is the thinnest section, it needs to be strong, yet allow for a natural drift, without alarming the fish that your offering is connected to a person that will pull back.

Commercial leaders by and large achieve all this in one smooth product. Although there are still knotted leaders out there, by and large knotless leaders are the choice. It is possible to construct you own leaders and many people do. But that is the topic of another article. A fly fisher does, however need to know how to attach new tippet portion to the fly line, I prefer the double surgeon’s knot, but the blood knot is also popular. Learn how to tie these knots before fighting that monster! A poorly tied knot will reveal itself at the most opportune times.

X factor

Now comes the fun part. A new set of numbers to learn. Different numbers then choosing flies or fly rods. Fly fishing is overwrought with numbering systems, and unfortunately leaders and tippets you are just going to need to learn. They are sized on the X numbering system. So when you hear someone say they are switching to a 6X, you now know they are talking about their tippet. X measures the diameter of the leader minus .011. So a 6X would measure .005. A 0X would actually measure .011. One really only needs to remember the HIGER the X, the smaller the diameter. The other number worth noting the test, or breaking factor, a 4lb test leader will break when more than 4lbs pressure are applied. This is worth noting, and many a trophy are lost when violating that #.

There are many variable to consider when selecting the right X, but the two most common are the size of fish you are going after, and the size of fly you are using when going after them. A quick guide is as follows:

XFly

0 2-6

1 4-8

2 4-10

3 6-12

4 6-14

5 12-16

6 16-20

7 20-24

8 24 and smaller

Length

One must also think about the length of the leader itself. Leaders are sold these days anywhere from 4 feet to 15 feet. There are many things to consider when deciding on length, some are variable like wind and water clarity. Other variable are static like size of fish, current, etc.

Typically the easier it is to spook a fish, the longer the leader you will need to use. So

The industry seems to have settled on 91/2 feet as a good all-around length. For everything from trout to steelhead to tarpon. It is a good length to handle for all levels of fly casters, and it gives enough distance between the splash down of the fly line and the fly as to not spook most fish under most circumstances.

From this standard we can then begin to think of reasons we might need to adjust. Spring creeks or spring fed lakes will probably require 15 feet of leader. Whereas sinking tip lines used in spring run off will use as leaders as short as 4 feet. A weed choked largemouth bass pond will require a shorter, stouter leader, and therefore you will be able to muscle your fish away from snags. But a trout caught in a spring creek will have the advantage because your leader will easily break off due to its lightness. Windy days might require one to shorten up a bit to ease in casting. When switching from nymphing to dry flies one might need to lengthen a bit.

Summary

I hope this has clarified and not complicated things a bit. What all this means is one must carry a good assortment of tapered leaders and even more importantly tippets with them at all times. There are many times I switch sizes in the same day. If I am fighting fish deep in faster current during the day, I might go down one X factor, and then in the evening if I am dry fly fishing in shallow slow water, I’ll go up two X factors.

Not having the correct tippet can handicap one’s ability to land fish, either by breaking off if too small, or spooking them if too large. It is a nominal expense compared to the rest of your equipment, and a bad place to start watching that fly fishing budget. So make sure you’re well stocked for every imaginable situation before you hit the water. I guarantee you at some point you will be glad you are.

About the Author

Cameron Larsen is a retired commericial fly tier and fly fishing guide. He now operates The Big Y Fly Company. http://www.bigyflyco.com/flyfishinghome.html He can be reached at info@bigyflyco.com. This article will appear in the Big Y Fly Fishing E-Zine at Http://www.bigyflyco.com/Bigyflyfishingezine.html