European or Czech Nymphing Introduction

[alanb_ct]

I'm glad to see so many new members at TPO! I thought it might be a good time to summarize some of our best content as it pertains to European or Czech nymphing. Our classes teach elements of all these methods and their practical implementation.



Unique Elements of each method
> Spanish Nymphing
-Long leader up to 30ft
-Sighter placed mid-leader
-Light presentation from a distance for spooky fish
> Polish Nymphing
-Best suited for close approach, fast water
-Short leader, heavy anchor flies
-Originated for shallow fast riffles for grayling
> French Nymphing
-Upstream approach
-Moderate length leader with light (6X or finer) tippet
-Lift rod and follow

Common elements of each method
> Improved strike detection
-Maintain contact with flies
> Lead flies under the rod tip
> Weighted flies alleviate need for added weight
> Fine level “leader” beneath sighter
> Use of flurocarbon, typically 5X
> Use of long rods
-10ft three or four weight rod is optimal
> Dropper rigging
- Use of Triple Surgeon’s Knot, tie dropper on in-line side of knot
> Wrist flip at end of cast
- Simulates explosive rush to surface of nymph
-Triggers fish response to a take

Popular flies
> Anchors
- Vladi worm, brown woody caddis, stoneflies, rubber legs, tungsten bead Prince
> Droppers
- Typically with tungsten bead and leaded bodies
- Silver tungsten bead can replace glass bead
- Caddis larvae in bright green or tan with black bead, sizes 10-16
- Brown mayfly nymphs with flashback and/or silver tungsten bead, sizes 10-20

Fly line to leader connection
> Best is Whitlock No-Knot methods, but can be hard to execute
- Use Zap-A-Gap only, it’s waterproof
> Clinch knot to welded loop on fly line
> Loop to loop is fine, but will not flow through rod guides in certain instances

Hope this is helpful to you.

[Nymphmeister]

Damn Alain, you are hard at work, impressive. You are the king of diagrams, graphs, & spreadsheets.

[alanb_ct]

I should also mention here that Aaron and I have been innovating with the sighters a bit more. I sent Aaron a new "prototype" for a trial run and we will report on it further. There are no limits to this experimentation, but I think I am finding that the hi-viz chartreuse braided mono is king!

[Nymphmeister]

I'm guessing it shows up extremely well, and doesn't tangle around the rod tip like backing sometimes does.

[Walshmiko]

Is eruo nymphing that productive? I feel like im missing out... what are the basic's of what type of gear id need, can someone point me into the right dircetion?....

[Nymphmeister]

Walshmiko-

Click on the "Czech or Polish Nymphing" thread under the Nymph Fishing Techniques category. There's 14 pages of info on it, and some very good advice.

[BlackLabel]

Yes its that productive in the right places. You should be able to get buy with whatever rod yo have now to start. This thread has everything you need to know to get started and then some.

[url][http://troutpredator.info/nymph-fish...nymphing//url]

[Walshmiko]

Thanks guys im gonna check the info out.. I think Im gonna give it a go..

[LopatNympher]

I've read on here that you guys are using 20-30 ft leaders for Euro nymphing. You may be aware of this already but I just read that leaders used in PA FFO's can only be 18ft. max. I'd hate to see anyone fined for two feet of flourocarbon!

[Nymphmeister]

Yeah, you have to be aware of the regs where you fish, some FF only areas have rules that could get you in trouble if you aren't careful. In the place I fished yesterday, from Oct. 1st thru March 31st you cannot use more than one fly, nor can you add weight to your leader- but weight flies are okay. It's an area where they put brood stock Atlantic Salmon in the Fall, and this is an attempt to reduce snagging of them while they are present. In the Salmon River in NY, the 2 FF areas have a max leader length of 15 feet, and you can only use one fly, and whatever weight you have on has to be "castable"- in other words, the weight of the fly line must propel the fly, not vice versa. That's good to know that PA has an 18' max for FF only areas, thanks for the heads up.