European Nymphing Techniques – Back to the Basics
So you want to learn about european nymphing techniques (euro nymphing), like the highly effective Czech nymphing or french nymphing methods, right? I’ve written a number of articles on european nymphing methods that you can review here, but if you want to learn the basics here is what you need: 1) A light spinning rod with 4 lb test line 2) A hook 3) Some worms Huh? Learn European Nymphing By Fishing Bait Yep, that’s the secret to becoming proficient in european nymphing techniques or any nymphing techniques for that matter. Learn how to fish bait. Let me explain. This occurred [...]
Categories: European Nymphing, Tips & Tactics Tags: Czech nymphing, euro nymphing, european nymphing, french nymphing
[Video] Lance Egan’s Rainbow Warrior Fly
Hans Stephenson of Dakota Angler & Outfitter demonstrates how to tie Lance Egan’s Rainbow Warrior in this fly tying video tutorial. Rainbow Warrior – What’s The Fuss? While the Rainbow Warrior is a pretty simple and rather unimpressive looking fly don’t be fooled, it’s quite deadly. Listed in George Daniel’s as one pattern he would not leave home without, the Rainbow Warrior is a tried and true pattern that’s proven itself on the international competitive fly fishing circuit. Developed by Lance Egan, a long-time member of the US fly fishing team, the Rainbow Warrior tied with a tungsten bead makes [...]
Categories: Fly Tying, Nymphs Tags: european nymphing, Hans Stephenson, Lance Egan
[DVD] European Nymphing Techniques
I’ve followed Aaron Jasper and his ascent in the fly fishing world, namely through his tireless pursuit to perfect European nymphing techniques, and written extensively (see article list below) about the short- and long-line nymphing techniques, including Czech nymphing and French nymphing he teaches. Now, after over three years of research, practical testing, and instruction both on the stream and in the classroom, Aaron has come out with an instructional DVD that will show you how-to master European nymphing techniques. If you have not had the benefit of attending one of Aaron’s European nymphing classes in person (or even if [...]
Categories: European Nymphing, Fly Fishing DVDs, Reviews Tags: Aaron Jasper, european nymphing, fly fishing DVD
4 Tips to Catching Big Trout Down Deep
This Fly Fishing Tip is brought to you by Jake Ricks of Utah Fly Guides. What Lies Beneath There’s just something in all of us that wants to know what lies beneath. That’s a big part of the reason we fish. The deeper and darker the run or pool on a river the more we are inclined to think that a big old trout is hunkered down there with what looks to us like an ornery toothy frown on its face. The good news: Our assumptions are correct a lot of the time. Every time I’ve seen or heard reports [...]
Categories: European Nymphing, Tips & Tactics Tags: Czech nymphing, euro nymphing, european nymphing, european nymphing leader, Tips & Tactics
Fly Fishing with Strike Indicators: Smoky Mountain Style
Ian and Charity Rutter of R&R Fly Fishing give us some pointers on fly fishing nymphs with a strike indicator in small mountain streams in their latest episode of Advice from the Guides video blog. High Stick Nymphing Video Filmed in the Great Smoky Mountains on Little River and Middle Prong of Little River, the Rutter’s demonstrate high stick nymphing, an effective method to fish fast pocket water often found in high gradient streams. High-sticking with an indicator is a great method for the beginner fly fisherman as it aids tremendously in detecting strikes that may otherwise go unnoticed. Tips [...]
European Nymphing Fly Rod Craze or Bandwagon?
Well I guess European nymphing, or Euro nymphing, is officially a craze with several major manufacturers looking to get in on the action with new longer specialty fly rods targeting the US market this year. European Nymphing Craze I’m not exactly sure when it happened but European nymphing techniques including short-line Czech nymphing, and long-line French nymphing and Spanish nymphing have started to enter the mainstream here in the US. As evidence of this, just look at the number of manufacturers selling 10-foot, even 11-foot, fly rods here in the US. European Nymphing Rods Here are a few of the [...]
[Video] How-to Make a Backing Sighter for a European Nymphing Rig
Add a little color to your European nymphing leader with a backing sighter and see strikes like never before. Learn how in this short video from Trout Predator Online.
Categories: European Nymphing Tags: backing sighter, euro nymphing, european nymphing, european nymphing leader
[Video] How-to Make a European Nymphing Coiled Mono Sighter
This quick video tutorial shows you how to build a coiled mono sighter used in place of a strike indicator when fly fishing with nymphs. (Click here to watch video on on YouTube)
Used in several European nymphing methods, including French nymphing and Spanish nymphing, a coiled mono sighter greatly increases strike detection.
What’s a Sighter
The concept of a sighter was introduced in our last post on how to build a French / Spanish nymphing leader where we introduced two types of sighters including a coiled mono sighter and a backing sighter.
How-to Make a Coiled Mono Sighter
Making a coiled mono sighter is very easy. There are 3 basic steps:
1. Wrap hard monofilament around a cylindrical shaped object
2. Boiled for 5-minutes
3. Freeze
The heating and cooling cycle sets a coil into the monofilament resulting in what looks like a spring made from monofilament. Watch the video for more details.
How-to Rig a Coiled Sighter
When French nymphing or Spanish nymphing the coiled sighter is typically tied in about midway down the leader. I prefer loop-to-loop connections for ease of use. Alternatively, you might use a Davy Wotton Leader Knot to attach the upper end of the sighter to the butt section of the leader and use a loop-to-loop connection between the sighter and tippet section.
Give It A Try!
You may garner a few strange looks when you whip out your coiled mono sighter stream side and even a few giggles as you begin to fling this thing about. But trust me; the laughing will stop when you start out fishing everyone on the stream!
I guarantee you will be amazed, that is if you are willing to give it a try.
The Beat Goes On
We’re in the home stretch of our European nymphing tutorial . Next up we’ll take a look at how to build a backing sighter and then we’ll finish out the series with a European nymphing fly rod review – yee haw!
Now stop reading this and go boil some mono!
p.s. If you get any snide comments from the significant other while practicing this Euro alchemy – share them with us using the comment box below, we all enjoy a good laugh!
p.s.s. If you would like a European recipe for a coiled mono sighter give Fishing on the Frontier – Part 14 – Improved Take Detection a read.
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Categories: European Nymphing Tags: euro nymphing, european nymphing, european nymphing leader
[Video] How-to Rig a 2-Fly Czech Nymphing Setup
A little intimidated by the thought of fishing 3 or 4 flies like the Czech’s do? So was I, and frankly it’s a bit of a pain in the butt. Not to worry though, a 2-fly Czech nymph setup works pretty darn well too.
2-Fly European Nymphing Rig
In this video tutorial (click here if you can’t see the video above), Aaron Jasper of Trout Predator Online shows us how to rig a 2-fly European nymphing setup that can be used with a Czech nymphing leader or when fishing a Spanish or French style nymphing setup.
A Simple Dropper Fly Setup
The setup as shown in the video is often used by the Spanish and French and consists of 5 feet of 5X fluorocarbon tippet material coming off a backing or coiled-mono sighter to an anchor fly. A second, lighter fly, is tied off a dropper about 20-inches above the anchor fly. We will discuss how to make and use a backing sighter and coiled sighter in our next few articles on Spanish and French nymphing techniques.
The same 2-fly setup can be used to build a Czech nymphing leader, only we would not need the sighter using this short-line nymphing technique.
Improved Surgeons Knot
The dropper fly is tied in using a double or triple Surgeons Knot, as shown in the video (I know it is a little hard to see), or an Orvis Tippet Knot can be used. When using a Surgeons knot I take the dropper tag and throw a half-hitch above the Surgeons Knot. This makes the dropper come off the leader at more of a right angle and helps reduce tangles. The Surgeons and Orvis Tippet Knots are illustrated at Orvis Animated Knots.
Note: When tying in the dropper make sure to attach the fly to the lower tag end of the Surgeons Knot. If you use the upper tag (the one going back toward the fly line) the knot will come apart. I learned this the hard way, several times!
Spanish / French Nymphing Techniques
Spanish nymphing and French nymphing, are they all that different? Find out in our next How-to article on European nymphing techniques by subscribing to The Fly Fishing Reporter Newsletter.
Enjoy!
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Categories: European Nymphing Tags: Czech nymphing, euro nymphing, european nymphing, european nymphing leader
[Video] Davie McPhail Czech Nymph
(Click here to view video on YouTube).
Continuing with our Czech nymphing theme of late, Oliver Edwards shows us how to tie a true Czech nymph in this two-part video.
Slim Profile, Heavily Weighted Nymph
A slim profile and tightly wrapped body are characteristic of a Czech nymph and help minimize resistance in the water enabling the fly to sink quickly. The flat, sticky-backed lead tape shown in the video is a great way to maintain the slim profile yet still heavily weight Czech nymphs.
(Click here to watch video on YouTube)
More on Czech Nymphing
For more Czech nymphing patterns check (pun intended) out our Nymph Fly Tying Video Gallery. Also, stay tuned as we continue our mini-series on European nymphing techniques including Czech nymphing, French Nymphing and Spanish Nymping in the coming week.
Have a great weekend!
p.s. If you are new to the Fly Fishing Reporter and like what you see, sign up for the Fly Fishing Reporter Newsletter and we’ll keep you informed via email of new fly tying videos, fly fishing maps, fly fishing reports and gear reviews we post to the site each week.
Categories: Fly Tying, Nymphs Tags: Czech nymphing, european nymphing, Fly Tying
