question on droppers

"Dave LaCourse" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 7 Nov 2007 10:51:43 -0800, "Tom Nakashima"
wrote:

Anyone still use split shots and no beaded nymphs?

That is my normal nymphing rig. I usually know what will work on my
home waters, so I use just one nymph on the end of an 18 inch tippet.
I put non-toxic split shot at the tippet/leader knot (generally a
double surgeon's knot. I will "tune" the rig by adding or subtracting
weight until I get the right drift. I generally do not use a strike
indicator, but if I do I tune it for the right depth.

Although I have them, I don't like using beaded nymphs if they are the
metal type. I have glass beads on many of my home-ties and they do
not add that much weight to the fly.

Dave

Same here Dave,
I like the idea of adding and subtracting weight depending on
the current and drift.
I remember someone asking about choice of flies. And I added;
First think:
1. Size
2. Then Pattern
3. Then Color

With Nymphs it's slightly different;
First think;
1. Size
2. Action
3. Texture
4. Pattern
5. Color

By action, I like to try to get the drift right by using a non beaded
nymph and adding splits and a single fly. I usually start out with the
Fuzzy Hare's Ear. Just love the way it tumbles through the feeding zones. I
also don't use an indicator, just hate them, and this is where
texture comes into play. Fish will eject as fast as they detect.

I also like active nymphing, pulling fish out of the feeding zones.
Soft Hackle Woolly Worm, or Streamers. Again action, they'll sometimes
chase and strike just out of curiosity.
-tom

I tried experimenting with something last year. I work Frog's Fanny
(i.e., hydrophobic Cabosil) into the dubbing of my dropper nymph
(preferably done when I tie them, but it also works after the fact).
This makes the fly buoyant and causes it (I believe) to float above the
weight or above the weighted top nymph. The fish seem to like it, and it
results in fewer snags. Some say that the Frog's Fanny makes bubbles
that imitate a natural.

BTW, I prefer using weight instead of bead-head nymphs.

--
Cut "to the chase" for my email address.

On 8 Nov, 15:44, rw wrote:
I tried experimenting with something last year. I work Frog's Fanny
(i.e., hydrophobic Cabosil) into the dubbing of my dropper nymph
(preferably done when I tie them, but it also works after the fact).
This makes the fly buoyant and causes it (I believe) to float above the
weight or above the weighted top nymph. The fish seem to like it, and it
results in fewer snags. Some say that the Frog's Fanny makes bubbles
that imitate a natural.

BTW, I prefer using weight instead of bead-head nymphs.

--
Cut "to the chase" for my email address.

I have not used either Frog´s Fanny, or the fumed silica, but I agree
with waterproofing a lot of nymphs. I generally use watershed on the
dubbing. It can and often does make a very big difference. Of course,
one must then weight the nymphs, or use them on weighted rigs of some
description.

One nymph that works very well indeed for a host of situations is a
pheasant tail/ hare´s ear nymph. The abdomen is pheasant tail, and the
thorax hare´s ear. I put a drop of watershed on the thorax immediately
after dressing the flies. These flies are a lot more buoyant, and
they catch more fish as well. The silvery appearance caused by small
bubbles obviously enhances the fly´s attraction to the fish
considerably, ( I know there is a lot of discussion and controversy
about this).

After some experimentation, I also now have a range of soft hackles
where I waterproof the thorax ( where present) AND the soft hackle
with watershed. When fished as emergers in the film, these catch A
LOT! more fish, and they also work better when used on various
weighted rigs. A couple of hair hackles I use are also a lot more
effective after this treatment. This is one which has been very very
successful indeed;

http://www.mike-connor.homepage.t-on..._squirrel.html

TL
MC

On Thu, 08 Nov 2007 07:44:30 -0700, rw
wrote:

I tried experimenting with something last year. I work Frog's Fanny
(i.e., hydrophobic Cabosil) into the dubbing of my dropper nymph
(preferably done when I tie them, but it also works after the fact).
This makes the fly buoyant and causes it (I believe) to float above the
weight or above the weighted top nymph. The fish seem to like it, and it
results in fewer snags. Some say that the Frog's Fanny makes bubbles
that imitate a natural.

BTW, I prefer using weight instead of bead-head nymphs.

I've used Frog's Fanny in the same way and it works very well with
LaFontain's caddis pupa. I am sure that your assessment about the
nymph floating higher is correct.

Dave