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Overcoming the Struggle of Nymphing


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#1 JrFloatnFly

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Posted 06 August 2014 - 09:41 PM

      I generally avoid nymphing mainly due to frustration,lack of interest and the belief it only yields small fish. Normally last year i would just swing nymphs for small aggressive fish that would not strike drys.  Dead drifting a nymph seemed like the most boring and unproductive way of fly fishing personally. Recently this year through greater research, understanding and experience, I have truly realized how effective this method can be in certain situations.  My last few trips have revolved solely on dead drifting and czech nymphing methods.  I have personally stayed away from using an indicator as i feel it is generally not needed on many smaller and faster rivers where streamer fishing is difficult. The other day i went to a well known area that consists largely of of fast runs and ripples.

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 I put on a size 12 beadhead hares ear and hike to my desired section of water.   I begin casting and plonking my fly into every pocket, run and pool i find, catching a few small aggressive atlantics and browns.  I get to faster deep rifle where i lift my rod thinking i have the bottom, then observe few flashes and a couple strong headshakes before it pulled out.  That was my first experience hooking a large fish on a nymph,  my confidence at this point had grew tremendously and i felt as if there was a giant trout about to attack it on every cast.  I eventually get to a large classic deep run where i cast my nymph to the top. Holding my rod high to keep the line off the water, the nymph sinks deep and drifts gently until i set the hook to a powerful energetic fish.  I chase the fish downstream until i am able to control  and land it.  

 

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That was the nicest of the day, along with many 5-8" little guys aswell.  Do you guys generally nymph more often than using a streamer or dry?  Any particular setup or advice you recommend?  Any favourite nymphs? I myself have kept it simple using patterns such as pheasant tail, hares ear, copper john, prince, etc  in sizes 12-16, and smaller sizes in the grand.


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#2 azp

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Posted 07 August 2014 - 11:26 AM

thanks that was a nice read for sure...


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#3 Rivermaniac

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Posted 07 August 2014 - 05:21 PM

Nice catch on the bow. Can't really tell you a good setup cause I just started to fly fish. I seen a setup with a dry fly and strung with a nymph 4ft down from the dry fly. Try it out hope this helps.
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#4 JDean

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Posted 07 August 2014 - 06:43 PM

I nymph most of the time, but let the situation that da dictate what I will do on the river. But my main focus is nymph fishing. You,selection and sizes are a great set up. Those are general searching patterns and patterns that represent a number of aquatic insects. You just have to believe in it. Some days it works and for those days it,isn't working be prepared to switch up to dries or wets or streamers
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#5 Christopher K

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Posted 08 August 2014 - 08:51 AM

I'm usually a dry fly "purist" (still use my fair share of synthetics), but on the rare occasion where I have to nymph I would gladly fish any of those patterns you suggested, try a sighter next time, it makes detecting light strikes much easier!


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#6 MadocFlyGuy

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Posted 08 August 2014 - 09:48 AM

I would say I nymph 95% of the time. I really enjoy high-sticking! I typically use the patterns you mentioned in your post. 

 

Great job on that 'bow!!


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#7 AKnook

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Posted 08 August 2014 - 04:40 PM

Nymphing has produced a lot of large fish for me.  Sometimes dead drifting a fly is the natural move to "match the hatch" and will produce better than any other method.  As stated above, the water, species, time of year etc. will dictate this tactic.  I love catching fish and any technique in fly fishing that puts me on them is what I use.  Swinging, nymphing, stripping, dry fly, whatever its all fun.


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#8 Kit

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Posted 08 August 2014 - 05:31 PM

Dries for me. Have maybe 4-5 nymphs in my box the other 30 are dries or sub surface.

In the funny as hell words of Hank Patterson "Know the difference between fishing with a nymph and fishing with a worm? Nothing." The Hank Pattersons 8 Very Easy Steps To Better Nymph Fishing. A must watch for you nymphers. Good laugh.
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#9 GuitarBuildingAngler

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Posted 08 August 2014 - 07:40 PM

I recently got into nymphing and my box now includes close to 100 of them. I find the hardest part is realizing when you have had a take. The local brown trout I fish are very fast and will take the fly, run, and let go. This all happens before I can set the hook. Start understanding those little signs and you will start getting a lot of fish. 

Great work and that is a beautiful bow!


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