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DEEP THOUGHTS FLY-FISHING TECHNIQUES FOR DEEP NYMPHING BY NICK KOPCHA  |
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In my experience while fishing and guiding on the White and Norfork Rivers I have found that deep nymphing is the most consistent method of fly-fishing these challenging waters. Fishing these tail-water rivers can be difficult at times because of the changing water conditions. Day in and day out I have found deep dead drift nymphing to work best for most water levels. Whenever possible I fish from a boat, which not only allows me to move from place to place, but in the process it enables me to employ the dead drift deep nymphing method. An understanding of the principles involved will allow you to catch more fish on a regular basis too. Rig your rod and tackle.
I prefer a 5 or 6 weight medium to medium-fast action rod with a
weight-forward floating line. I attach a 7 ½ foot tapered leader with 2
feet of 5 X Tippet. I tie on the fly and use a split shot about 12 inches
above the fly. I use from a #1 to a #4 split-shot depending upon the depth
and current. This open water fishing with a heavy payload requires the use
of a large teardrop shaped foam indicator. Be sure to select the type that
you can easily adjust up and down the leader in order to deal with the
varying depths. The rule of thumb is to set the length from the indicator
to the fly at 1 ½ times the actual water depth. You will need to experiment
to find what works best for any given set of conditions and rigging. Be
sure to adjust the length as the water depth changes while you drift along.
It is best to favor the greatest depth which you encounter. The choice of fly can vary, but bigger and heavier is usually better. During spring, summer and fall I normally use a size 10 or 12 bead-head nymph or other buggy looking fly like a Prince Nymph or 56’er. Any season during high water levels a San Juan Worm in red or natural color drifted near the bank or over vegetation can be deadly especially for big Brown Trout. During winter, my favorite season, when combing the bottom is critical I will generally be using a large colorful egg pattern or pink micro-jig. In most cases I lead wrap the fly and generally use either a black or gold bead head for even more weight. On some occasions I find that an olive Wooly-Bugger with the indicator is hard to beat especially when there is a chop on the surface. Whatever the choice it is very important to get the fly down fast to the bottom where the fish are located, proper rigging along with a perfect dead drift will help accomplish that. Boat control is essential for success. Your drift speed is a very important element of the perfect dead drift presentation. Position your boat with the bow upstream in a likely section of the river. I usually run right up to a shoal or riffle and begin my drift there. On the White river I use a drag chain to help keep the boat lined up with the current. Drag chains are not allowed on the Norfork so you will need to use the motor and a paddle for boat control. Use your motor power to keep pace with the speed of the river. Watch for foam or other drifting surface debris and keep the boat moving at that exact speed. Be sure to respect other fishermen while motoring up or down the river, give them plenty of room. I cast to the side of the boat about 25 feet away. Beyond a boat length away and to the side seems to be the comfort zone for the fish while the motor is running. Any closer will reduce the number of bites and any farther introduces varying currents which will cause drag and that must be avoided. You need to mend and introduce some wiggles in you line in order to preserve the perfect dead drift as long as possible. Be sure to mend upstream enough to toss the indicator to a spot just slightly upstream of the fly’s location down below. Be aware that you can encounter drag from the indicator to the fly. As the fly and split-shot tick along the bottom the indicator will begin to lead downstream and will eventually drag the fly. Stop this immediately or prevent it by mending enough to position the indicator upstream of the fly’s location. Set the hook at any sign of hesitation or sinking of the indicator, the bites can be very subtle. You will have many false alarms but a number of them will be strikes from fish. If you do everything just right you will maintain that perfect dead drift for long periods of time only to be interrupted by having to release another fish. Practice the three major principles for success; (1) Don’t let your boat drag your line. (2) Don’t let your line drag your indicator. (3) Don’t let your indicator drag your fly. Master these three techniques and you will become an accomplished nymph fisherman who catches a lot of fish on a regular basis including an occasional Wall-Hanger.
Nick Kopcha 1-10-08
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