On 26 Nov, 21:09, "Tom Nakashima" wrote:
I read an article over the holidays about a technique of cutting the taper
of a double taper line when nymph fishing. The reasons were to have better
line management control, and the ability to throw large weighted flies with
ease, plus a nice drift. The article stated that since dry-fly presentation
wasn't a concern, the taper was useless.

I've never even considered cutting the taper off a line, and wondering if
anyone has done that when nymphing?
-tom

The taper is not useless, it is still required, but is achieved by
using a steeply tapered leader and the appropriate nylon, ( stiff!),
and if you try this using a level leader, attached to level line ( or
the level belly of a DT) , or a normal "limp" leader, or a normal DT,
( unless it is a very heavy line), you will have problems. The leader
is tapered sharply, in order to allow turn over of the heavy fly
without too much "kick back", and also to allow the fly to be moved
properly at all. The steeply tapered leader is essential for power
transmission to the heavy fly.

If a standard tapered DT is used, most of the energy is dissipated
when the taper turns over, and there is simply not enough left to
propel the leader and a heavy fly. The fly just flops about out of
control.

The main reason for such a rig is also not casting, although it does
make it easier to control heavy flies, but in the very superior line
control which results. It would be easier to cast such heavy rigs
using light spinning gear, but then you have no control at all, as it
is more or less impossible to mend or otherwise control nylon or other
line in such a way as to affect the presentation of the fly.

I use a similar line/leader when casting heavy flies for pike fishing,
but there the casting ease is of more importance. I also use a similar
head for casting heavy flies on light gear.

There are many arguments that this is not fly-fishing. May be so, I don
´t know, and I don´t much care, it is however one of the few gear set-
ups which will allow half-way decent casting and control of heavy set-
ups. If that is what is required, then there is no reason why one
should not use it.

Using a heavy level line will achieve much the same thing, but you
still need a sharply tapered leader. This is also not a distance
rig! basically only suitable for short to middle range
presentations. The lack of taper on a level line affects its casting
properties considerably.

If you wish to retain the properties of your line, then consider
making up a multi tip rig like this;
http://globalflyfisher.com/fishbetter/juro.htm

this gives you a very versatile basic rig, and you can still use the
"cut" DT as normal if desired.

TL
MC

ALL THIS IS MERELY MY OPINION!!! If you don´t like it, or disagree
with it, that is just fine with me.