Weighted vs Un-weighted Flies

[RavYak]

Many of my flies are not weighted and being new to fly fishing I actually find this annoying because I hate how split shot weakens the tippet and how it adds a hinge into the line when casting.

Is there some reason as to why not to use weighted flies and why are so many of the regular flies not weighted? I am actually considering crimping split shots directly onto my flies, is there any reason as to why I shouldn't do this?

Imo if a fly is supposed to sink it should do so on its own but maybe there is a reason I am missing?

[bigdirt]

google up "bounce rig nymphing"

from finspots.com

[ÜberFly]

PM sent

[lannie]

Originally Posted by bigdirt

google up "bounce rig nymphing"

from finspots.com

Is that a pickeral rig?

[bobalong]

Originally Posted by RavYak

Many of my flies are not weighted and being new to fly fishing I actually find this annoying because I hate how split shot weakens the tippet and how it adds a hinge into the line when casting.

Is there some reason as to why not to use weighted flies and why are so many of the regular flies not weighted? I am actually considering crimping split shots directly onto my flies, is there any reason as to why I shouldn't do this?

Imo if a fly is supposed to sink it should do so on its own but maybe there is a reason I am missing?

Check out Toobies, they work well.

http://www.skipsoriginals.com/Toobie...ht_System.html

[rycoma]

first off its impossible to get enough weight on a small hook to sink them fast enough. second split shot does not weaken your tippet. I suspect you are using to light of a tippet. I usually go with 6lbs test line myself to the first fly then smaller after that. as for it causing a hinge point try water load casting or slowing and opening up your loops. Most nymph cast are under 20' so you can mend properly. Trying to distance cast with all that crap on your line will lead to tangles, frustration and worse case split shot slamming into your rod and busting it

[Flieguy]

When I nymph, if I wanna use a light one I use it as a dropper off a one tonne weevil, copper john, wire body stonefly, or similar heavy *** pattern.

[rycoma]

Same here. But fishing the bow you need extra wheight always.

[AlbertaAngler]

Originally Posted by bobalong

Check out Toobies, they work well.

http://www.skipsoriginals.com/Toobie...ht_System.html

Do you find it locally or order from them?

Thanks,

[bobalong]

Originally Posted by AlbertaAngler

Do you find it locally or order from them?

Thanks,

I am not sure about the other outdoor retailers but the The Fishin Hole, at least the one on the south side has them

[greylynx]

Originally Posted by lannie

Is that a pickeral rig?

That is a freestone river rig that one uses fishing in North West B.C.

A little British in that rig.

Thanks Big Dirt.

[lannie]

It looks just about identical to a pikeral rig. All problems would be solved if that exact set up were just tossed out with a spinning rod. It just does not look like it belongs on a fly rod-why would you bother?

[Flieguy]

looks like a nightmare of bird's nests to me

[bigdirt]

Originally Posted by lannie

It looks just about identical to a pikeral rig. All problems would be solved if that exact set up were just tossed out with a spinning rod. It just does not look like it belongs on a fly rod-why would you bother?

ime the bounce rig is more sensitive to strikes, tight line between weight and indicator.

[Darren N]

If you don't fancy tying up rigs like that you can always add a sink tip (just loops onto your floating fly line) and put on an unweighted fly. the sink tip brings it down and the no weight on the fly bobs it around the bottom.

[J D]

Personally I never use split shot on a fly rod. A fast sink tip( tungsten if you really want to get down), short leader, lead/bead/eyes tied into the fly will get you down more than enough fished correctly.

I have been doing this for deep or fast water for years with success. I can catch rockfish in 40-60 ft of water doing this.

Each to their own but this works for me.

[bigdirt]

Originally Posted by lannie

It looks just about identical to a pikeral rig. All problems would be solved if that exact set up were just tossed out with a spinning rod. It just does not look like it belongs on a fly rod-why would you bother?

take off the indicator, change weight to heavy fly and your tight line/czech nymphing. call it what you want, it works.

[RavYak]

I should have mentioned this earlier but so for now I only fly fish trout ponds, no rivers or streams.

Sounds like there isn't any reason as to why I can't use weighted flies, going to try to add some weight to some of the ones that I have or buy new ones with beads etc.

[Luxor]

I tie my nymphs by wrapping weighted (lead) tape around the hook first.
This is a true weighted fly.
The use of beadheads is also good.

[32-40win]

If you are only fishing ponds, get a sinking line. They range from 1-1/2"/sec to 6"/sec sink rates. Even the slow sink like a Stillwater doesn't take that long to get down there. Using Flourocarbon leaders & tippet will help also.
They will help on days when the waves are up a bit too much, to be using a floating line, as the waves can give too much action to the fly in some cases.
If I want to start with nymphs on the bottom, I use a fairly fast full sinking line in 15-20ft of water, and if that isn't doing it, I will go to the Stillwater and work it at different levels in shallower water. You can shorten the leader/tippet on either, to about 5-6ft to get better control on the bottom.
I've used fast sink shooting heads on salt water to 90- 110ft on slack tides, or along tide rips, and faster water rivers, or to get to the bottom with blood worm patterns in 40-70ft in a lake. They do have their uses.

[shep dog]

Originally Posted by bigdirt

google up "bounce rig nymphing"

from finspots.com

While you're at it, you might as well Google up "NASA, we have a problem."

KISS.

[Luxor]

Originally Posted by shep dog

While you're at it, you might as well Google up "NASA, we have a problem."

KISS.

that's very funny and so true
what a mess that would be to fly fish with.
I can feel the frustration just thinking about it

[lannie]

Originally Posted by Luxor

that's very funny and so true
what a mess that would be to fly fish with.
I can feel the frustration just thinking about it

They need to just stay on track- Put a big lead sinker on the end and cast it out with the Ugly Stik equipped with a good ole closed faced zebco. Attach the brass bell to the end of the rod sit in the lawn chair and crack a Dudweiser.