Go Sub Surface For Fishing Success

You know I’m a dry fly guy. But even a dry fly guy needs to go underwater from time to time. 

Truth be told, you will put far more fish to the net using a wet fly or nymph than you will a dry fly. Over 80% of a fish’s diet is eaten under water.

Wet Flys

Prince's, Hare’s Ear’s, Copper Johns, zebra midges, and Scuds are tried and true patterns putting fish to the net all over the world. Our psycho prince, Czech nymphs and Copper K have been stellar patterns pulling fish when others were just drowning worms. 

Nymphing Techniques

Many folks like to use split shot to get their flies down. Me personally, I like to use two flies. I’ll use something heavy like a stonefly imitation if I’m on a freestone river or an attractor pattern like the batman, and then use something indicative of what is hatching.  

Nymph With an Upstream Cast

The best way to nymph is really with an upstream cast. Some guys use and indicator, some folks prefer watching the line. It’s a matter of personal preference. But you want your fly dancing off the bottom. You must use floating line with this technique.

The casting is tough, not doubt about it. Your tight loop, double haul, casting half way across the river is dry fly stuff. There's no pretty loops in nymphing. A couple quick side armed false casts and get those bugs up river….and let them hunt.

Takes Are Subtle

If you’re not using an indicator, be laser sharp focused on the line. 

The takes can be very subtle. A slight dip to the line or it oddly looking like it stopped or moved upstream. Set the hook baby. You need to make sure you’re on the bottom. You’ll set the hook on some rocks. Make no mistake about it deputy, you’re going to lose some bugs. 

I admit it, I’ve played a rock or underwater bush before. Hey, we all have. I’d rather set the hook on a rock and nail a big brown than look cool not catching fish!  Using fluorocarbon can help.  It gets down better than mono and is stronger.....losing less flies.  I highly recommend it.

That’s it my fishy friends, until next time.

Tight Lines and Screaming Drags!