Go Back   Alberta Outdoorsmen Forum > Main Category > Fly-Fishing Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 04-05-2021, 03:52 PM
newdrenalin newdrenalin is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Calgary
Posts: 616
Default Nymphing on the bow

I'm looking for someone to teach a guy nymphing techniques on the Bow. Anyone interested or know someone that would be ? I've flyfished for a number of years but want to shorten the learning curve for the Bow
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 04-05-2021, 04:16 PM
Scott N's Avatar
Scott N Scott N is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Calgary
Posts: 7,506
Default

I have very limited success on the Bow until I decided to treat myself to a walk & wade guided trip a number of years ago. The set up we were using was floating line and an indicator with a 9' leader directly to a large (say #2 or #4) copper wire wrapped san juan worm with a dropper fly. The weight of the copper san juan eliminated the need for split-shot, and the distance from the san juan to the dropper should usually be about 2'-3'. I found this set-up to be easier to cast with less tangles than I would have if I had been using split-shot.

The key take-away for me was learning how to mend my line so that the flies were bouncing drag free along the bottom of the river. As long as your indicator is going down from time to time you know you should be on the bottom. We'd keep the san juan for the weight and also because it's a productive year-round fly, and try different dropper flies. If you can't find anyone to take you out in person, try YouTube for some advice on line mending.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 04-06-2021, 04:23 PM
newdrenalin newdrenalin is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Calgary
Posts: 616
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott N View Post
I have very limited success on the Bow until I decided to treat myself to a walk & wade guided trip a number of years ago. The set up we were using was floating line and an indicator with a 9' leader directly to a large (say #2 or #4) copper wire wrapped san juan worm with a dropper fly. The weight of the copper san juan eliminated the need for split-shot, and the distance from the san juan to the dropper should usually be about 2'-3'. I found this set-up to be easier to cast with less tangles than I would have if I had been using split-shot.

The key take-away for me was learning how to mend my line so that the flies were bouncing drag free along the bottom of the river. As long as your indicator is going down from time to time you know you should be on the bottom. We'd keep the san juan for the weight and also because it's a productive year-round fly, and try different dropper flies. If you can't find anyone to take you out in person, try YouTube for some advice on line mending.
Thanks for the reply Scott. Who did you use for your walk and wade ? I thought somebody on here would be willing to teach a guy and make some $$ but i was wrong.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 04-06-2021, 06:15 PM
Tungsten, Tungsten, is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,289
Default

Rig up a light rig like small wire worm and a bead head prince.Set indicator about 7-8', cast up stream and drift it back. Always work the shallow water before you wade in.Then add length and weight as you fish out deeper.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 04-13-2021, 02:25 PM
SwampDonkey SwampDonkey is offline
 
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 9
Thumbs up

PM me if you want some free company and a little advice from 20+ years on the Mighty Bow
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 04-13-2021, 04:48 PM
lannie lannie is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: CNP
Posts: 3,752
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott N View Post
I have very limited success on the Bow until I decided to treat myself to a walk & wade guided trip a number of years ago. The set up we were using was floating line and an indicator with a 9' leader directly to a large (say #2 or #4) copper wire wrapped san juan worm with a dropper fly. The weight of the copper san juan eliminated the need for split-shot, and the distance from the san juan to the dropper should usually be about 2'-3'. I found this set-up to be easier to cast with less tangles than I would have if I had been using split-shot.

The key take-away for me was learning how to mend my line so that the flies were bouncing drag free along the bottom of the river. As long as your indicator is going down from time to time you know you should be on the bottom. We'd keep the san juan for the weight and also because it's a productive year-round fly, and try different dropper flies. If you can't find anyone to take you out in person, try YouTube for some advice on line mending.
Why would you not just use a spinning rod with a bobber?
__________________
You are what you do, not what you say.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 04-14-2021, 06:58 PM
buckman buckman is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 1,619
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by lannie View Post
Why would you not just use a spinning rod with a bobber?
Fishing a wet fly,nymph or streamer with a fly rod is, for many if not all fly fishermen the most productive method. A spinning rod works well if you cant fly cast or don't wish to learn.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 04-15-2021, 06:49 AM
lannie lannie is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: CNP
Posts: 3,752
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by buckman View Post
Fishing a wet fly,nymph or streamer with a fly rod is, for many if not all fly fishermen the most productive method. A spinning rod works well if you cant fly cast or don't wish to learn.
Using multiple hooks with more than one line off the end with split shot is really a lot closer to spin fishing than fly fishing. When you are trolling on a lake with a flyrod I don't really consider that fly fishing either.


If it's all about being productive you may as well put maggots on the end too when its legal.
__________________
You are what you do, not what you say.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 04-15-2021, 08:55 AM
Engels Engels is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 193
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by lannie View Post
Using multiple hooks with more than one line off the end with split shot is really a lot closer to spin fishing than fly fishing. When you are trolling on a lake with a flyrod I don't really consider that fly fishing either.


If it's all about being productive you may as well put maggots on the end too when its legal.
What do you consider fly fishing then? Dry fly only?
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 04-15-2021, 09:20 AM
Jayhad Jayhad is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,049
Default

multipost

Last edited by Jayhad; 04-15-2021 at 09:22 AM. Reason: multipost
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 04-15-2021, 09:22 AM
Jayhad Jayhad is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,049
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by lannie View Post
When you are trolling on a lake with a flyrod I don't really consider that fly fishing either.
No body cares what you consider what is fly fishing and what isn't, these guys are out to have some fun catching fish and learn new techniques.
you understand back in the good ol' days fly anglers would regularly use live hoppers
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 04-15-2021, 04:19 PM
buckman buckman is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 1,619
Default

My Father was a dry fly guy.He loved the spot and stalk method of casting to a rising trout(preferably a brown)on a small stream.

For him it was fishing in its purest form. I think most fly-fishermen/women would agree its more fun casting to a rising fish.

As I said in my previous post though,fishing wet is on most days far more productive.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 04-20-2021, 02:15 PM
Bhflyfisher Bhflyfisher is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Prince George, BC
Posts: 1,190
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by lannie View Post
Using multiple hooks with more than one line off the end with split shot is really a lot closer to spin fishing than fly fishing. When you are trolling on a lake with a flyrod I don't really consider that fly fishing either.


If it's all about being productive you may as well put maggots on the end too when its legal.
Exactly what Jayhad said. Contrary to what Lannie may think, nobody actually cares about his condescending opinion.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 04-21-2021, 12:40 PM
newdrenalin newdrenalin is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Calgary
Posts: 616
Default

Thanks everyone for your tips/advice.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 05-08-2021, 09:51 AM
Coulee Coulee is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 416
Default

Before you go out with heavy nymphs, practice casting in a field somewhere. Trust me, at first it will feel like your casting a freight train.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:28 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.