Georgia Fly Fishing Blog

Posted By Kent Klewein on June 12, 2010

Nymphing Smart

I can’t tell you how many times just this year, that I’ve heard clients tell me no wonder I’m not catching very many fish nymphing on my own. For most novice to intermediate fly fishermen they get far less hook-ups than seasoned veterans nymphing for two simple reasons.

1. The difference between an average and advanced nymph fisherman is one split-shot.

Often anglers fish the right fly patterns when nymphing but fail to get bites and hook-ups because they don’t have enough split-shot or weight on their nymph rig to get the flies down in time, or to the appropriate level and strike-zone of the fish. I’ve got holes on small streams that I fish that require me to add upwards of three to four BB size split-shot in order for me to get consistent bites. This holds very true in fast water where trout are reluctant to rise up into the current to take a fly for the simple fact that they’ll use more energy than the value of the food specimen.

If your nymphing and your not bumping the bottom occasionally during your drift your probably not getting down to the fish, and will fail to get strikes. You don’t want to be hanging up every cast either though. I always set my rig accordingly and if I make a few casts with no bites and no bumps on the bottom you’ll find me adding more split-shot. If after that I know I’m getting down to the strike zone and I’m still not getting bites, you’ll find me changing my fly patterns.

2.  The second reason nymph fishermen fail to get bites is their strike indicator is set too shallow.

I had a client this past month that said he nymph fished in the smokies quite often but failed to really ever have much luck catching fish. After about an hour of me guiding him and fishing my nymph rig he realized he had been setting his strike indicator far too shallow and wasn’t getting down to the fish’s level in the water column.

If your nymphing a deep pool that’s seven feet deep and you’ve got your strike indicator set three feet above your flies is won’t matter how much weight you have on your rig, because your flies will not be able to get down deep enough. In this situation and depending on the current speed you should have your indicator set at a minumum of eight feet deep. Chances are, you’ll need to raise your indicator to the very top (butt section) of your leader, and still may need to add some tippet or lengthen your dropper in order for your flies to get down deep enough. Aquatic nymphs are mostly found on the bottom foot of the water column. If your not drifting your nymphs in that zone your not going to get very many bites.

In conclusion, adding enough weight and setting your strike indicator deep enough will allow your flies to get down to the trout’s feeding level, and you’ll find yourself hooking up far more often. Keep in mind also, you’ll need to get the same drag-free drift as you do when your dry fly fishing. Tension on your line or bellies that are formed during your drift will pull your nymph rig to the surface and out of the strike-zone. Proper mending during your drift will help you keep your flies down deep and at a dead free drift just like the naturals on the water.  Lastly, at the end of your drift lower your rod tip to the waters surface, strip in your slack, and allow your flies to swing. Quite often you’ll find yourself getting bites at the end of your drift on the swing. Most important part of this though, is for you to keep your rod tip on the water during the swing. Otherwise you’ll have slack in your line and won’t feel the trout taking your flies.

Hope these quick tips help you hook into more fish when your nymphing on your own. I’m confident if you follow these tips your catch rate will double. If your interested in getting more personal instruction and guiding on the water please give me a call. I’ll be happy to go over techniques like these during our guide trip to transform you into a more successful fly angler.

Keep it Reel,

Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: Kent Klewein, nymphing for trout, nymphing smart, Reel Job Fishing