Nymphing for Newbies

[passinthru63]

this will only be my second full year at fly fishing (I only used my spin gear for shad on the Delaware last year). Mainly I fish streamers and some dry flies and I've caught fish both ways. Dry flies frustrate me just from trying to figure out what the heck they are actually feeding on and I think I actually learned something over the winter reading to help with my frustration and that was the take itself. I think most of my frustration was that the fish were feeding sub surface and not from the surface which is probably why nothing in my fly box worked. anyway I'm off the subject.

This year I'm going to work on my nymphing. I've been reading plenty and running around the internet and reviewing this forum. but if anyone has any good links they would like to share, please do.

I actually fished the Willimantic Saturday using a large golden stone and a size 14 caddis pupa (at least I think that was it. :) ) The one thing i forgot was adding some weight, but at times I was bumping the bottom. I fished my rig with the Stone at the end of my tippet and the trailer tied to the bend of the stone with about 18" in between. I was using a thingamabober as a strike indicator. I don't think I had any hits or takes, but the water was a little higher, darker and faster than during the week due to the rain. I did concentrate closer to the banks because of the water conditions as well. I did struggle a little keeping in contact with everything - too much slack.

Now for some questions.
1. I read that I want to start with the strike indicator 1.5 to 2 times the depth of the water. Now I am assuming this is the distance from the first fly (Fly attached to my leader) correct?

2. I'm a little confused about how far to let the rig drift. I was fishing short drifts to start, but how far do I let the drift go? until it's directly below me or start lifting the rod during the swing?

3. Attaching split shot - should I add a knot of some sort to keep it from slipping? How far from the fly makes sense?

4. I was reading a suggestion on not using a tapered leader, but instead tie some tippet material direct to the fly line as to reduce the drag caused by the tapered leader. Any thoughts?

I'm sure I will come up with more as I continue to experiment.

Thanks in advance for all the help!!!

[DanBou]

I fish the Willi a lot in the Spring. I have had many 20 plus fish days in the Spring. A good place to learn nymphing.

1) A Golden Stone nymph works well usually. A Montana Wooly Bugger ( black wooly with a yellow thorax) is also great. I like something green trailing.

2) I set my indicator at 8 feet from the closest fly and I rarely change it if I'm fishing between the Abutment pool and Bridge pool.

3) Almost always use one, rarely 2, BB size split shot. Do whatever to keep them from slipping.

4) Drop by JT's Fly Shop for latest info.

[The Fisherman]

You probably already know what I have to share in it, but there's an article on indicator nymphing written by yours truly on this site's home page. And as you've found out, there are tons of articles sprinkled all over the net. To your questions:

1. I make my calculations based on the bottom fly, assuming my standard rig of indicator, weight, bigger fly, then smaller (bottom) fly. As long as you're bouncing along the bottom, you're doing something right. An adjustable indicator will help you find the equillibrium you're looking for.

2. Depends on the water and the distance I'm trying to cover. When searching, I'll often let the whole works do a wet fly swing below me. Sometimes I'll feed line into the drift (as I would with a dry) to cover more water.

3. Yes! That makes life much easier. I make a triple surgeons knot about a foot or less above the fly closest to me. Shot goes on and stays put.

4. Sure, why not? Try it and see if it works. Experimentation is good, and the only thing that matters is what pleases you. Having said that, I've been doing pretty well with a 4x or 5x 9 foot tapered leader for years now. :-)

Hope this helps.

[Escapepod]

Nymphing is great once you get your system down....I think half of the problem is getting in tune with what works for you. The Fisherman cites really good points from the water line down. Bottom line is that you want your offerings in the lower 6 inches of the water column. Typically the currrent in this water column area allows the fish to "draft" and spend minimal energy while they wait for their next morsel.

It is equally important to have control and feel right to your rod tip. Once you have your rig set up, try to get a few drifts about a rod length away from you so that you can feel the stones and bumps as the split shot or the flies drift over the bottom. By keeping a small amount of tension on your line and rig, you'll really get a sense for feeling the bottom and strikes. Soon you'll be so in tune that you won't even need a strike indicator and now you'll be fishing old-school.

BTW - when your line nears the end of it's drift don't pull the rig up too fast. Sometimes lifting the rig up creates an action of the nymphs moving to the surface and will trigger a strike too.

You'll do just fine, when you take the time to get your program set up and then execute it. Good luck.

[passinthru63]

All, thanks for the feedback and I continue to look forward to expirementing with everything I've read and been told.

I do stop by JTs, did Saturday before I hit the river that's why I had the big golden Stone fly on. :)

Fisherman, I did read your article on puf ball nymphing as well and I was looking for the link to tying your own puffballs, but I believe the link in your article is dead. If you have the informaiton some where I'd love to take a look.

[The Fisherman]

Yup, that link's a goner. Here's a link that shows pretty much how I make mine nowadays:

http://www.flyguysoutfitting.com/indicator.html

Make sure you use only synthetic (acrylic) yarn. If you can't find a skein of yarn you can look for a macrame yarn plant hangar and just cut that up into sections. Also make sure you give the indicator a good greasing with Gink or similar stuff before you fish.

I make my indicators in two sizes. The nice thing about these is the ease with which you can adjust them on the leader. In fact, I would call them a depth regulator as much as I would a strike indicator.

If you're not catching fish, adjust the depth of your rig or add more weight before you consider changing flies. Those simple adjustments are often a difference maker.

Puffball nymphing is a wonderful thing to learn, as it serves as a gateway into all kinds of other presentation methods. Plus, you'll catch a ton of fish with it. Master this and you'll go far.

[dudley]

I'm too lazy to make them up in advance
I use a yarn indicator knot on stream...
it's even easier than it looks

http://www.charliesflyboxinc.com/flybox/print.cfm?parentID=57

http://www.midcurrent.com/images/oswald_indicators2.jpg

[Ray]

If your serious about learning how to nymph, get in touch with:
http://www.catching-shadows.com/catching-shadows/Home.html
You will learn more in 1 afternoon then reading & trying on your own for years.