I’ve been writing about the Mono Rig and tight line styles for ten years, and I’ve been fishing with them for ten more. It’s amazing to see how much has changed in that time, how much the understanding and usage of these rigs has grown, and how a Mono Rig is being...
While guiding on a favorite stretch of water last week, Chris and I hit another good bite, where trout in perfect pocket water were eating reliably. Every fish came from the merger seams or the inside pockets — slower stuff beside the fast water. With tight targets,...
Don’t buy a fly rod based on the idea that it will protect fine tippets, because every decent rod will do that. Guarding against broken tippets while setting the hook is up to you. Protecting light tippets while fighting a large trout is also up to you, along with the...
The Troutbitten Podcast is available everywhere that you listen to your podcasts. ** Note ** The Podcast Player, along with links to your favorite players is below. In the third part of this critical nymphing concepts series, we consider the advantages and...
Do we want more influence or less over the flies? Who or what is in charge of the nymphs? Is it you or the river? What looks more natural? Which choice — which method — fools more trout?
Is the fly low enough for long enough? Is everything in one lane? And do I have to be this far away? These are the key questions. This Season Ten skills series is about the critical concepts of nymphing. Importantly, these concepts apply to all nymphing styles, tight line, indicator or otherwise.
Choosing the right indicator is the first step to setting up and effective system. Balance between indy and weight is the key.
How much can we feel the fly at the end of the line? And how well does the fly rod transmit the flex to the angler? These are two very different kinds of sensitivity.
When it’s the best tool for the job, then putting an indy on a tight line rig is a deadly variation to a contact nymphing system. I build my leader to be ready for it. The rod I carry is designed for it. Because tight line to the indicator is a problem solving approach that gets the job done when pure tight lining simply cannot . . .
Choosing a fly rod that’s perfect for the Mono Rig and euro nymphing starts with knowing your goals. How versatile do you want to be?
From the best all-around fly rod that’s ready to handle nymphs, streamers and more on a long leader, to specialized euro nymphing rods and dedicated streamer rods, here are my favorite tools for fishing the Mono Rig . . .