Author Topic: Technique Master List (Read 773 times)

Dejon Hamann · « **on:** November 06, 2009, 02:27:23 PM »

“TECHNIQUE MASTER LIST”

RIVERS

Nymph
- "Polish Nymphing : True polish nymphing is conducted where the rod tip is rather low and well downstream of the cast as they are pulled just a tad faster than the current they are in after they are allowed to reach depth. It is a short leader affair--roughly the length of the rod.

- "Czech Nymphing" : short leader but often much lighter flies than Polish Nymphing. The flies are allowed to pendulum under the rod tip then the rod tip and flies track roughly as a unit. Resembles North American "High Sticking" in many ways.

- "French Nymphing" or "French roll" : This is the long leader (20+) technique which utilizes a sighter and a single micro mayfly. The cast is made up river or up and across and the drift is very short. The object is to induce a take the moment the fly hits the water, and within 3 seconds of drift lift the flies and present again.

- "High Sticking" : A medium range nymping technique often conducted perpendicular to river flow and characterized by heavily weighted flies, a "sighter" of some fashion, and a fully extended arm/rod.

- "Euro Nymphing" : A versatile technique gaining popularity that hinges on a "do it all" leader system consisting of a long tapered butt section, colored sighter often of the "Curly Whirly" design, and several feet of level tippet. This technique allows the angler to switch from nymphing to "dry/emerger" presentations with ease. Details: Thread1, Thread2 .

- "Long Lining" : Long level 30+ ft leaders are used to "sling shot" a team of weighted flies. Long, light, almost bouncy rods aid this cast. Often utilizing this technique an angler's fly line "never sees the light of day". Utilizing an array of precisely weighted flies and a sighter (often the Curly Whirly) perfects the drift.

Dry
- "Dry/Dropper/Dropper" : A popular presentation utilizing an often very buoyant dry fly such as a Chernobyl Ant to vertically present 1 or 2 weighted Nymphs on dropper tags spaced approximately 2 to 6 feet from the Dry. Leader permutations and potential water types can be endless. "Working" this rig actively with a raised arm/rod rather than the normal cast/drift method can be key. More delicate variations using long leaders, smaller hackle'd dries, and micro nymphs on shorter droppers may suit difficult water.

- "Skittering Muddler" : A down & across presentation with a floating line and a 3 fly team: Goddard Caddis, Muddler Caddis, & Weighted Nymph on point. Utilized over broken water this technique of "skating" 2 bouyant dries with a nymph anchor works well for aggressive surface oriented fish (often fresh stockies).

- "Reaction Terrestrials" : Utilizing a very "maneuverable" leader of 8' to 3x or less an angler uses surface tension and fly movement to "induce" a strike from Terrestrial conditioned fish. Short surface "slapping" casts to structure and bank areas are often effective. Buoyant, profile specific flies like Foam Hoppers and Beetles are most effective. A smaller trailer such as an Elk Hair Caddis can be used in tandem.

Streamer
- “Sunken Rod Tip” : Angler utilizes type 5-7 sinking line, 2 unweighted streamer patterns on short stout leader, and shoves their rod tip to the bottom of river and strips flies back on swing or upriver.

Wet
- "Upstream Track": Fishing a cast of normally 3 flies on tags with a floating line. 20-30"between tags on floating line, shorter 10-20" on sinking lines. Long rods (10'+), steep rod angle, track with a roll motion as the flies fish back to you. Soft hackled flies and spiders invented for this type of fishing.

- "Down and Across": a team of 3 flies. Can be fished with a bob fly as your first fly or a heavier fly depending on desired water column depth. High rod angle to help manage line and protect tippet when fish strikes. Mend to control swing speed. Not blind fishing, work probable lies, fish so that your leader straightens out as it approaches a probably fish lie Used with or without hand twist retrieve to maintain contact with line.

- "Downstream Release" : Fished similar to a streamer only you release small amounts of line at a time so your flies float down stream then do a "mini swing and hang" each time. Effective for fishing at distance to spooky trout, to fish under cover that would snag traditional drifts, or to fish around bends of rivers.

LAKES

- "Classic Cast & Strip Sinking" - Utilizing Full Sinking lines ranging from Slow Intermediate to DI6. Sinking Line chosen to match drogue drift speed and desired water column target. A multitude of flies are used such as Nymphs, Lures, Streamers, Buzzers, etc. Leaders often 24 feet level Fluoro with flies seperated by 6'.

- "Washing Line" - Utilizing a Boobie on the point and 2 slightly weighted nymphs on the droppers an angler can achieve a "suspended" presentation. Classically fashioned for a floating line targeting near surface feeders it has also been adapted for various sinking/submerged destinations.

- "Buzzer Di7/8 - Working on a strict vertical presentation (often deep) the angler intends to mimic Chrinomids "hanging" or ascending through the water column.

- "Boobie Di7/8" - With a Di7, short leader, and a Boobie teamed "cast" an angler can probe the very bottom of a lake while hovering just above hangups.

- "Static Dries" - Often utilized for wary zone oriented fish. Simple: cast a team of dries and do nothing except set the hook or recast! Terrestrial patterns like small buoyant Ants work well for this technique.
______________________

I’m not sure if this will work, but I’d like to take a stab (with your help) at creating a “Master List” of techniques utilized in competitive fly fishing.

I think one of the biggest obstacles facing many competitive fly fisherman, especially new entrants, is just becoming “aware” of the specific disciplines successful anglers are using in competition. Personally, 2009 really drove home the need to study and refine Streamer fishing as both my Qualifying Regional and the National Championship ended up on completely blown systems. Not only that, but the idea that there are subgenres of “Streamer Fishing” including utilizing heavily weighted streamers on a straight mono leader that can win competitions

Some of these may overlap. Others may be obvious to all. But I believe developing a central list will greatly aid comp. style anglers of many levels.

Please add your technique with a short description and category. Also, suggestions on overall category/layout schematic are very welcome. Overtime we can add hyperlinks to other TroutLegend threads detailing aspects of the technique. I’ll cull the responses and continue to build the list in this lead post.

For the time being I’m going to start the 4 main river categories with the basic fly designs.

I’m hoping some of our more esteemed Lake gurus can lead off that section.

Thanx everyone!

Paul Bourcq · « **Reply #1 on:** November 06, 2009, 05:14:32 PM »

This is my way.....not sure if its right so feel free to add or subtract whatever you need, wont hurt my feelings.

Wet Flies

Upstream: Fishing a cast of normally 3 flies on tags with a floating line. 20-30"between tags on floating line, shorter 10-20" on sinking lines. Long (10 feet plus) rods, steep rod angle, track with a roll motion as the flies fish back to you. Soft hackled flies and spiders invented for this type of fishing.

Down and Across: a team of 3 flies. Can be fished with a bob fly as your first fly or a heavier bug depending on desired water column depth. High rod angle to help manage line and protect tippet when fish strikes. Mend to control swing speed. Dont blind fish, work probable lies, fish so that your leader straightens out as it approaches proabable fish lie. Used with or without hand twist retrieve to maintain contact with line.

Downstream- Fished similar to a sreamer only you realease small amounts of line at a time so your flies float down stream then do a "mini swing and hang" each time. Effective for fishing at distance to spooky trout, to fish under cover that would snag traditional drifts, or to fish around bends of rivers.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #2 on:** November 08, 2009, 11:13:32 AM »

Made some additions. I'm sure there is still much to add.

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #3 on:** November 09, 2009, 10:08:53 AM »

What about Terristerials like beatles and hoppers they are always good for a few trout espically when fishing mid day in the late fall and summer I am sure some of our western guys use them a lot.

Mike Nutto · « **Reply #4 on:** November 09, 2009, 10:47:38 AM »

mark on a hot day out here along grass beds you can just clean up in about an hour and go home cause you will have caught your fill for the day ! hoppers rule in the summer

Jeremy Allan · « **Reply #5 on:** November 09, 2009, 10:58:09 AM »

Hoppers on the Provo are deadly for about a month, mid Aug-mid Sep. There is nothing like seeing a massive brown explode on a big foam hopper. I was setting up clients with a double dry setup, a hopper with a caddis trailer. It was a great technique for people who had never cast a fly rod before because the worse the presentation the better it would work. Slapping it down and getting drag was all you needed to do.

Mike Nutto · « **Reply #6 on:** November 09, 2009, 11:05:17 AM »

yeah hoppers are the best because they struggle in the water so if the thing gets tugged it doesnt matter ive caught all kinds of fish on them .I just got the video (no sports allowed ) and it just makes me sick it fish on the provo and anywhere in Idaho . I got to go ! its the land of the browns man !

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #7 on:** November 09, 2009, 11:39:38 AM »

Sometimes we forget about the easy techniques and get to technical. Simple fact Terresterials work and you dont need a dead free drift. yeah post 700!

Bret Bishop · « **Reply #8 on:** November 09, 2009, 11:45:45 AM »

Dejon,
This is a very ambitious list...and a great idea. It will be fun to watch it grow. I have a few thoughts as I look at the first category.

I thought Polish and Czech nymphing were basically same with the exception of the flies... the Polish use woven flies and the Czech use dubbed. Also in Polish nymphing you finish with the Vladi check-set. But essentially they are both a short line nymphing technique. In fact, the Czechs stole this technique from the Poles and did a better marketing job. One thing I know for sure is, if you call it Czech nymphing in front of Vladi, he gets livid.

Also I wouldn't put Polish nymphing and high sticking in the same category. I see them as two different methods.

I would add French nymphing or the "French roll". This is the long leader (20+) technique which utilizes a sighter and a single micro may. The cast is made up river or up and across and the drift is very short. The object is to induce a take the moment the fly hits and within 3 seconds of drift lift the flies and present again.

I like the fact that you included Euro Nymphing since this is the combination of all the techniques.

Jeremy Allan · « **Reply #9 on:** November 09, 2009, 12:00:39 PM »

Bret,
I'm glad to see some clarification on the Czech/Polish nymphing technique. I heard different takes on what to call it so I asked this question at the nationals 2007 to some of the team members and they said the difference was that Czech nymphing was when the rod was on a horizontal plain parallel to the river using a short leader, heavy flies and a "leading" the flies presentation. Where Polish nymphing was similar but you used a slightly longer leader and more of a high sticking technique but you stay in contact with your flies. I have also heard this called tight lining. If you had to put that (high Sticking) into a category where would it fit. Not that it really matters but it's nice to call it by the proper name.

Chris Smith · « **Reply #10 on:** November 09, 2009, 02:46:45 PM »

I thought high sticking was an "American" technique.

Regardless, like Brett, I see Polish nymphing and Czech nymphing as very much the same.

If you watch Vladi in his video, he'll keep his rod in a horizontal plane (to the water) most of the time. Every now and then, however, he'll raise or lower the rod to change the depth of the drift, immitate a rising insect, etc.

That's my recollection, at least. Maybe I'll take 10 minutes off work here in a second and review the DVD.

I'd really like to learn the French roll, but outside of Vladi's video, I'm having one h$ll of a time finding any information.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #11 on:** November 09, 2009, 03:54:31 PM »

Quote from: Bret Bishop on November 09, 2009, 11:45:45 AM

One thing I know for sure is, if you call it Czech nymphing in front of Vladi, he gets livid.

That cracks me up for some reason

Good additions and observations guys. I'll try to modify and split the nymphing classes in a minute as per your post.

Concerning Terrestrials. I agree whole heartily they absolutely can not be beat at certain times. What is the specific technique though? As "terrestrials" are just a fly category. Or should I just add a "terrestrials" entry under the Dry category?

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #12 on:** November 09, 2009, 03:59:00 PM »

What I thinking is basically Plopping down Beatles or Hoppers to get that reaction strike.

http://www.flyguysoutfitting.com/odetothebeetle.html

Loren Williams does a much better job of describing it here.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #13 on:** November 09, 2009, 04:01:08 PM »

gotcha! adding it asap

Jeremy Allan · « **Reply #14 on:** November 09, 2009, 04:33:32 PM »

Quote from: Chris Smith on November 09, 2009, 02:46:45 PM

I thought high sticking was an "American" technique.

It is. However I feel that what I'm doing is somewhere between Polish and high sticking. It isn't a dead drift and it isn't full on Polish either. It's definately not the traditional high sticking as I am keeping a fairly tight line throughout the drift. I was told that my technique was more like Polish nymphing. Maybe I'm just high sticking a Polish rig

. Either way it is very effective.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #15 on:** November 09, 2009, 04:38:32 PM »

I'd say you are fishing "Polish" for sure

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #16 on:** November 09, 2009, 04:43:46 PM »

D that's not nice man LOL!

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #17 on:** November 09, 2009, 05:06:57 PM »

Hey, I only pick on my friends

Sorry, guess I'm feeling feisty. Maybe I should go drink some whiskey to calm down.

Kalvin Kaloz · « **Reply #18 on:** November 09, 2009, 05:12:09 PM »

Not to step on any toes! I will be the first to say ALL patterns/techniques are effective some of the time and Comp angling is 1 venue where thinking outside the box could pay huge dividends...But I think D is trying to nail down a list of "comp" style techniques in an attempt to define each skill set! I could be wrong! As described above just the angle of the rod could define a skill set from one another.

Mark, I agree with you 100% that fishing Terrestrials can be extremely productive but not sure where it fits on the list of "Master Techniques" geared towards comp style. With that said...having talked to Loren the situation was the Youth Worlds in mid to late august with clear, low water and spooky fish. The trout were used to looking up because of the trico hatch and he keyed in on that and took full advantage with a better more practical/ efficient set up and just nailed them!

Again this can be a deadly patter but not sure it makes the "Master Technique List" Just my thoughts!

Bret Bishop · « **Reply #19 on:** November 09, 2009, 05:18:43 PM »

Dejon,
I think you forgot the Dry/Dropper and the Dry/Dropper/Dropper method. Perhaps because it is so obvious. Now... were to put it? Under drys or nymphs?

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #20 on:** November 09, 2009, 05:44:47 PM »

Fishing Terrestrials on a stout leader system looking for "reaction" strikes is enough of a departure from the classic "dry fly" fishing of casting a long way upstream and just letting it drift back that it warrants an inclusion. At least in my opinion. Obviously we don't want to make this list so huge that it overwhelms newcomers, but I think if it's a "specific presentation" that might make someone say: "oh wow - never thought of that before!" than it should make the list.

Hope I didn't come off as some "list monger" in my response. I was more just trying to figure out how to phrase the technique oustide of just writing "Fish Terrestrials: they are awesome!"

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #21 on:** November 09, 2009, 05:46:22 PM »

Quote from: Bret Bishop on November 09, 2009, 05:18:43 PM

Dejon,
I think you forgot the Dry/Dropper and the Dry/Dropper/Dropper method. Perhaps because it is so obvious. Now... were to put it? Under drys or nymphs?

Funny, I was just thinking that trying to script the terrestrial entry! "right in front of your face" sort of thing. Now, are they 1 or 2 separate techniques? And are there any non obvious details I should include?

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #22 on:** November 09, 2009, 05:49:30 PM »

Kalvin no offense taken I am just looking at stream conditions that will be encountered eventually by a competitive angler. Maybe not a master technique but it brings up the idea of techniques that should be thought about or put in your back pocket so to speak.