Tangled dropper

I've been having a problem with my dropper getting tangled when euro-nymphing. I've been attaching the dropper using a triple surgeons knot. When tied the tag end to the dropper seems to lay parellel to the tippet going to the anchor fly.

Is there a better knot that would allow the dropper to stick out more at a right angle from the tippet. Someone suggested an Orvis tippet knot or using a tippet ring.

Thanks in advance for the help!

How long are you making your dropper?


I make mine about 4-5 inches, and I rarely have problems. (using the double surgeons)

I've experimented with all sorts of lengths with 4 to 6 inches being typically. Maybe I'm not tying it right or using the wrong tag end. You use the tag end pointing toward the anchor fly to attached the dropper fly, right?

You are tying to the correct tag end. This type of fouling happens to all of us.

Why it happens:
(1) Light dropper flies
(2) Dropper too long
(3) Dropper tippet too light
(4) Anchor fly spins in water. People rarely mention this one, but it is a big contributor. Don't ever let your rig hang directly downstream from you for very long, that's when it twists the worst.

You can try a tippet ring, dropper roller, or blood knot setup. If you constantly tend to your rig and pull and straighten, you can help avoid the issue somewhat. The surest fix is to use more rigid tippet material. Try using 3 or 4X one time just to see the difference.

Number 4 is great, Alain. I've never even thought about that.

Great, thanks for the tips! I'm definitely guilty of #4!

Does anyone use any of the dropper setups that Loren Williams illustrates in his Dropper Dynamics article - here's the link http://www.flyguysoutfitting.com/droppers.html

He shows the Orvis tippet knot I mentioned - which looks good in the picture but I have not tried yet.

I think my 4 points summarize all the dynamics you need. Lots of people advocate the Orvis knot; please try it and let us know. Thanks.

I now tie my dropper with a triple surgeons knot BUT I make sure the tag is the part of the knot that come out away from the anchor or bottom fly so that it actually pulls the dropper a little way away from the main line.

Just an idea.

Also, I watch the rig and how it works some in water that I can watch it just to see how it hangs etc.

Another option is to use an Orvis tippet knot for the droppers. Loren showed it to me, while I do not use it, this knot can be anothr option to try.

I use the Orvis Tippet knot for tying connections between different diameters of tippet. I admit that I started using it after reading Loren's article, and it does work pretty well. Nothing is 100% however.