French Leader / casting with small flies on my 5#

[freestylefish2006]

Hey there Everyone, new to this Forum

I had a bit of read, and tried the suggested french leader (18ft one), using a 2mm tungsten on the point (size 16 b175), with unweight fly on top dropper. When fishing, i had about 1 - 4 feet of flyline out the tip.. i'm struggling to lay the flies out at distance. it's like i'm loosing the energy.. any suggestion on what i could be doing wrong with my setup.
Have a loomis 5#, 10foota.

cheers

[AaronJasper]

I gather that you have some understanding of the dynamics behind the cast. When I French nymph with small flies I like to use my 9 foot 4 weight BIIX. I also use leader that totals around 15-16 feet. Shorten up the butt section or use a butt section that is heavier than what you are using currently. When fishing those truly small nymphs you think dry flies.

[SperryWater]

Freestylefish2006,
Glad to see you made it onto the site. As I mentioned, there is a wealth of information here. The technique is a bit difficult to explain, much easier to demonstrate.

Aaron, is there a TPO video that demonstrates the cast? I don't recall off hand.

[SperryWater]

Also, I meant to ask - are you using a inline sighter? If so, what material is it made of? I find the coiled mono sighter much easier to cast, despite its' funny shape, than the Dacron backing sighter. I think it transmits energy through the leader better.

[AaronJasper]

You can watch the casting on the "B Water" video. Where is freestylefishfrom? You are correct, this is something that is best taught one on one or at a class. You can look at all the posts and websites that you wish and have mediocre success with these techniques. However, to really up their game it is best to learn from someone who truly understands what they are doing. I learned a ton from Davy. Since I fished a lot of non-indicator set ups in the past, I made the transition to these techniques quite easily. I will say that there are so many set ups for these techniques. What works for one angler mightnot be the best for another.

[Walshmiko]

The B water flick was a good one..

[freestylefish2006]

[quote author=SperryWater link=topic=3888.msg30129#msg30129 date=1261107646]
Also, I meant to ask - are you using a inline sighter? If so, what material is it made of? I find the coiled mono sighter much easier to cast, despite its' funny shape, than the Dacron backing sighter. I think it transmits energy through the leader better.
[/quote]

Hey there,
Yes i'm using a siter, made from Bicolor Nylon (red / yellow).. tried 020, 022 and 025..) i also tried micro coils (which are about 5cm long) and also the longer ones.

[freestylefish2006]

[quote author=AaronJasper link=topic=3888.msg30130#msg30130 date=1261109459]
You can watch the casting on the "B Water" video. Where is freestylefishfrom? You are correct, this is something that is best taught one on one or at a class. You can look at all the posts and websites that you wish and have mediocre success with these techniques. However, to really up their game it is best to learn from someone who truly understands what they are doing. I learned a ton from Davy. Since I fished a lot of non-indicator set ups in the past, I made the transition to these techniques quite easily. I will say that there are so many set ups for these techniques. What works for one angler mightnot be the best for another.
[/quote]
thanks - i'll have a look at the "B video".. I'm from NZ..

when casting, i usually have a little bit of flyline outside the rod tip, is this french leader ok to use it like this, or does the dynamics change when you have flyline out? is it best to have the line still in the rod tip?

cheers

[AaronJasper]

How about I come visit you and we fish the Taupo Region?? I will show you tons of French nymph stuff as we hammer ten pounders!

[freestylefish2006]

[quote author=AaronJasper link=topic=3888.msg30134#msg30134 date=1261117483]
How about I come visit you and we fish the Taupo Region?? I will show you tons of French nymph stuff as we hammer ten pounders!
[/quote]

Yeah, not a problem - i know the taupo area well - and i know some nice rivers with medium / larger type fish in them.

My flies just don't seem to turning over as well with the lighter nymphs on the point.. If i stick like a 3mm tunsten on the point, I can get it turn over nicely and setup the drift as soon as the flies hit the water.. But 2mm at distance i still struggle abit.. I have like 1 -4 foot of flyline out the top tip, and then about 18foot leader to point fly, so my cast is about 20foot, + 10foot rod.