| Of all the different fly fishing techniques, nymph | | | | better). |
| fishing is probably the most difficult. Because fly | | | | There are many different methods of fishing with |
| fishing nymphs are extremely small, both | | | | fly fishing nymphs, as much of the technique is |
| beginners and pros alike have a bit of trouble with | | | | about preference and style. In this article I will |
| this fishing technique. However, knowing how to | | | | speak briefly of two different methods. |
| use this technique is extremely important when | | | | First there is the basic method of using fly fishing |
| trout fishing, as trout feed mostly on insects | | | | nymphs. It is the easiest for a beginner to use |
| beneath the surface of the water. | | | | and is a great way to get started. |
| A nymph is basically an insect that has not fully | | | | In short, you will cast straight across the river |
| developed yet. You will notice that older, mature | | | | and let the current take your fly fishing nymph |
| insects & flies skim along the surface of the | | | | slowly downstream until it is right below you |
| water, whereas nymphs still live underwater. | | | | downstream. At this point, the nymph is being |
| So why is fishing with nymph fishing so | | | | pulled by the current and wiggling to emulate a |
| challenging? | | | | real nymph. You don't necessarily need a strike |
| What a fly fisherman does when using fly fishing | | | | indicator with this method because your line will be |
| nymphs is try to imitate the immature insects | | | | a little tighter as it is being pulled by the current, |
| that still live underwater. Therefore it is difficult | | | | so it will be a lot easier to feel a trout taking your |
| and nearly impossible for the angler to see the | | | | fly. |
| fish going for the fly. But in dry fly fishing, the fly | | | | So, what's wrong with this beginner method? Well, |
| sits on the surface of the water and the angler | | | | a number of things, actually. First, the only point |
| can easily see when a fish bites. | | | | this method is likely to draw any strikes is right at |
| Another challenging aspect of fishing with fly | | | | the point where your nymph begins to lift off |
| fishing nymphs is the fact that the nymph, being | | | | from the depths of the river. This greatly |
| under the surface of the water, is more prone to | | | | narrows the scope of the effectiveness of this |
| bumping into rocks and trees, emulating a fish | | | | fly fishing method; since the vast majority of the |
| taking the hook. It is also more likely to snag your | | | | float of the nymph is "wasted" (trout are unlikely |
| fly nymph on those rocks and trees. | | | | to take a nymph that is careening at weird angles |
| In addition, using fly fishing nymphs become more | | | | across a river). |
| of a three-dimensional game, rather than a two | | | | The only downside to this method is that trout |
| dimensional game in dry fishing. The angler must | | | | are much less likely to take a fly fishing nymph as |
| now have an accurate cast both front & | | | | it is roving across the river while tautly attached |
| back, left & right, and be able to accurately | | | | to a line. |
| predict the depth at which the trout lie. | | | | The next technique I will discuss is the dead drift |
| Lastly, trout are inclined to take in a nymph more | | | | method. This method can be used three different |
| subtly that a fly on the surface. They may not hit | | | | ways: by quartering, by casting directly upstream, |
| has hard, and therefore it may be hard for the | | | | or from your boat. |
| angler to tell when he has hooked a trout. | | | | By quartering, you can cast just as you would |
| As you can see from the above, fishing with fly | | | | while dry fishing. Cast upstream and across the |
| fishing nymphs can be very challenging, and turns | | | | river, allowing your fly fishing nymph to "dead |
| many people off to this technique. However, now | | | | drift" for the maximum distance possible. Let |
| that you have a better understanding of the | | | | some line out so the line is drag-free. |
| difficulties involved in nymph fishing and with | | | | You can do this casting directly upstream as well, |
| practice, the only problem you will have is catching | | | | or even from your boat. Just make sure not to |
| too many fish (is that even really a problem?) | | | | keep the line too taut, as it will not imitate a real |
| When fishing with fly fishing nymphs, you use | | | | nymph authentically. |
| basically the same equipment as when dry fishing. | | | | All in all, fishing with fly fishing nymphs can be |
| The only additional items I would recommend are | | | | very challenging, yet very rewarding with |
| small weights (to help your nymph sink a little | | | | persistence and practice. By spending some time |
| better), strike indicators (to be able to tell when | | | | to learn this technique, you will surely be able to |
| you've hooked that trout!), and a nice pair of fly | | | | maximize the amount of trout you catch and |
| fishing sunglasses (preferably polarized so that | | | | minimize those days where you go out and catch |
| you would be able to see through the bright | | | | nothing. |
| orange strike indicator and the glare in the water | | | | |