On 2010-03-18 12:55:00 -0400, Larry L said:

My question ... what is the best ( defined as least prone to tangle )
way to rig a couple nymphs and maybe a split shot ... i.e. droppers,
all in a line hook bend to hook .... other? WHERE DO YOU put the
heaviest fly so that tangles are minimized ? ... last one, first
one ...other ?

Larry, when I first learned to ff in the 40s, dries, wets, and
streamers were the only kind of flies my parents and I used. However,
when I came back to ff, nymphs were the hot thing. So, I learned how
to nymph. I still prefer dries (with or without a hatch).

I have tried all the "gimmicks" over the years, including multiple
nymphs, the Czeck method, and other nefarious add-ons. I enjoyed
watching a fellow roffian who shall remain un-named fish with a 3 fly
rig which he untangled after each cast. Rule number 1: Keep your fly
in the water. You can't do that if you are constantly untangling your
rig.

If you must use more than one, stick to two, and tie your rig as follows:

12 - 14 inches of tippet with a split shot at (above) the tippet/leader
knot. At the end of the tippet tie on a nymph you think may do well.
To the bend of that fly, tie another piece of tippet of about 14 - 16
inches. I use a simple clinch knot to do this. On the end of that tie
in your second fly. This method will not tangle if you are careful and
use what I call a circle cast. When your rig gets downstream from you
and you have lowered your rod, swing the rig up-stream in one motion -
no false casts.

There are a couple of dangers using more than one fly. If you hook a
fish on either fly, always remember **there is another fly on there**
and its hook is very shap and will puncture rough old pirate's fingers.
This extra fly or flies can also cause problems with your net,
tangling it it and causing you more work. Rule number 2: Keep you fly
in the water. Ya ain't catchin' much with it snagged in your net.

Another "method" is the keep the tag end of your tippet knot at least
eight inches long, and tie a second fly on the end. This medod works
well, but it too can get tangled during casting or landing a fish.

If I was to teach anyone nymphing, I would use but one fly at the end
of a 14 inch tippet, with a split shot at the tippet knot. The most
important thing you can learn about nymphing is how to achieve a dead
drift. That is where the split shot comes in.

If you notice that your leader/line connection (or strike indicator) is
moving faster or at the same speed as the current, you need more
weight. Add weight until your "indicator", be it the leader/line
connection or a strike indicator, are freely floating *slower than the
surface currect*. This is true if you are high-sticking it or casting
up and across. I have many big fish with the up and across after a 50
foot cast, so do not limit your nymphing to high-sticking the water
right in front of you.

Finally: Mend, mend, mend, mend.

And remember no tangles allows you to keep Rules #1 and 2 sacred.

Went out this morning and caught a few little ones on a size 20 pt soft
hackle. Water is warming up nicely and expect some hatches before too
long.

Dave