At times during late summer and early fall, big fish will anchor themselves to the river bottom in fast moving water, seeking the coolest water. This is when heavy nymph fishing will outproduce all other tactics. Here are a few points overlooked by most anglers that will elevate your nymph fishing skills.
# 1 Always use the smallest possible sized indicators the situation allows. Big indicators wont detect subtle strikes and often spook fish when plopped in the water.
#2 Never put your indicator up on the thick part of your leader. Heavy line doesn't sink as fast and will cause a unnatural drag on your flies as well as keeping the flies above the fish.
#3 When in doubt about mending use "highsticking" in place of the mend. Raise your rod high and follow your nymphs with your rod tip, this will eliminate the need to stack fly line behind your nymphs.
#4 When nymphing fast flowing water your tippet size is becomes less a factor. In most instances you can get away with 5X in clear water situations and 4X or even 3X in stained water.
#5 Hackled flies tend to fish best nymphed in running water. Hackles with partridge or CDC feathers are your best producers.
#6 When in doubt, set the hook. You would be amazed at the strikes most anglers miss thinking they are catchThis report provided courtesy of the Trophy Water Guide Service in Boone, NC.ing bottom. Setting the hook is free, I promThis report provided courtesy of the Trophy Water Guide Service in Boone, NC.ise it wont cost you a thing.
This report provided courtesy of Justin Shroyer of the Trophy Water Guide Service in Boone, NC.