Anchor flies - heavy versus light - selection criteria

[wwelz]

I have been Euro-nymphing for about one year. I am pretty confident in using the larger anchor flies. ( rubber leg stone fly vladi worm ). I think the large anchors work best in the following conditions. Really deep water four feet or more ,windy days to maintain contact ,sudden drops in depth , extremely fast water to maintain contact. My first question is am I correct in the above assertions . My second question is what is the definition of a small anchor fly. The smallest I have used is a size 12 prince bh. What are the fishing conditons where a small fly works better and what patterns work best.

[alanb_ct]

I routinely use anchors down to size 16 caddis larva and mayflies.

As you progress further, you will find that absolute contact is not necessary; I rarely feel the flies anymore. Your goal is to make the flies ride the invisible cushion along the stream bottom and tick the bottom once in a while. About 90% of my contact is visual now, only 10% tactile.

This is also due to the choice of sighter. When you use the coiled mono, the coils react with extreme sensitivity. The coils should never be stretched tight during a presentation, only when you have a fish on!

Remember too that there is more than one way to make your flies get to the bottom:
(1) The easy way is to use heavy flies
(2) A better way is too cast further upstream with lighter flies (just like indicator nymphing)
(3) A method that helps to get the flies down is using turbulent water. The water coming over a rock is a good example; the flow on the rock is laminar, but the hydraulic downstream of the rock will pull your rig under. Manipulate your drift to keep it there.

Another comment is that as you progress, you will find that you use the ultra-heavy anchors infrequently. You should only use them for fast, deep water and on windy days. In the high spring water, you will need them more often.

I hope this makes sense. Perhaps one day I will do a Euro-nymphing master class on the stream and I can demonstrate what I am talking about. With a single long-line leader, you should be able to cover all the water types on the Farmington (at this flow) and catch fish everywhere, just by adjusting your rod angle, anchor weight and length of leader below the sighter. You only need 5X.

HINT: Most people use flies that are too heavy and leaders that are too short!

[LopatNympher]

I tend to make my below the sighter leaders a bit on ythe long side. When fishing in the small creeks that I am often on this seems to allow the small flies I use to go deeper. I believe this to be true because, like Alain saud, I have to cast further upstream to allow the flies to sink farther.

[frankm205]

Hey Guys ,
I am totally new to the European type nymphing but absolutely love it. My question is where to get the czech nymphs, and or where to get info on how to start tying them myself. And secondly is there any type of training class that is available?

[alanb_ct]

Welcome Frank

If you search YouTube for the Trout Predator Online channel, you will find many fly-tying demonstrations for weighted nymphs. Regarding classes, we offer them from time to time based on the size of the interested group.

Where are you located?

[LopatNympher]

This one makes a killer anchor fly.
Trout Predator Online FOTM "Czech Nymph" - Nov. 2008

[jason]

good tips!...thanks alan...hadn't even thought of #3...gotta try that. A tuck cast will also help get the lighter flies in the zone faster. I tend to start with lighter flies and adjust up in weight if I have to. Always was taught that the lighter the fly the more natural the drift or does that really matter in euronymphing?
Jason

[AaronJasper]

Jason,

You are correct. The lighter the flies the more natural they drift. However, that makes it more difficult to keep contact with the flies. When you get good at fishing the light flies your catch rates will sky rocket.

[frankm205]

Thanks Allan,

I'm in New york, Pleasant valley. About 40 min to the fly shop. If there are any classes forming I'm in.

[wwelz]

Thanks for the replies - Alan your reply creates a whole series of questions that can only be answered by getting busy at the fly tying bench and trying the techniques out on the stream. Your answer also explained my success and lack of success on the beaverkill last week. I did well with large anchors in deep pools landing many fish in the 18 plus class including a 22 inch rainbow in front of a crowd of other fishermen. The bad news is that I totally sucked wind in the riffles and pocket water. I think I would have done much better in that water had I been using smaller flies instead of large anchors.