European Nymphing Techniques

European Nymphing Techniques
Different European Nymphing
Techniques
European Nymphing Techniques we are going to
cover in this presentation are:
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Czech Nymphing – Close Range Method
Polish Nymphing – Close Range Method
French Nymphing – Medium/Long Range Method Directly Upstream
Spanish Nymphing – Long Range Method - Up and Across
Each technique covers a slightly different fishing
situation so it is good to familiarize yourself all four.
Czech Nymphing
Czech Nymphing – Where did it all begin?
• It all began in 1984 on the Dunajec river in Poland, during a
flyfishing competition between the teams of Poland, East Germany
and the Czech Republic.
• The Polish anglers were fishing a short line technique, which looked
surprisingly easy. They instead substituted a thick nylon line of about
0.5 mm (5X) in diameter, which they had tied right to the tip of the
rod.
• Mr. Jelenski of the Polish National Team showed the Czech
competitors the method and flies used after the competition the
Polish had just won by a long shot.
• In 1985, the Czech competitors implemented this new technique
they had learned in 1984 and finished second behind the team from
Poland.
• The Czech’s continued to refine the method and the flies into what
we now refer to as Czech nymphing and won the World
Championships in 1990.
What is Czech Nymphing?
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The principle of fishing the Czech Nymph Method is short-distance fishing,
practically under the tip of the rod.
The fly line is right under the tip of the rod or slightly out from you and the
end of the fly line rarely touches the water.
Two or three flies of various weights are used depending on the water
conditions and the flies are lead as fast or slightly faster than the current
depending on the river conditions
The flies are cast at a 45 degree angle upstream and allowed to sink to the
bottom. (this usually happens pretty quickly due to the weight of the flies)
The rod is held parallel to the water surface and is moving downstream as
fast or slightly faster than the current.
You are watching the indicator/sighter for the slightest movement which
could be a take or strike.
Here you can see the angler with a really low profile and the rod
outstretched in front, leading the team of flies downstream. He is using a
Hi-Vis Indicator butt section that can be see hovering just above the water
Placement of Flies for Czech Method – 2 Fly
Placement of Flies for Czech Method – 3 Fly Rig
Placement of Flies for Czech Method – 2 Fly Rig
Shallow Water
Samples of Czech/Polish Style Flies
Cardinal Bobesh
Hermit
Authentic Sedge Imitations
Violet Spot Cream Larva
Clown Flies
Polish Woven Nymph
Ice Gammarus
Bugs
Staying in Contact with the Flies
 First of all, you must lead the flies as fast or slightly faster than the current
with your rod tip. The best way to practice this is to pick a bubble or leaf in
the water and match it’s speed.
 If you go to fast, the flies will not sink like they should and you will not feel
the ticking of the bottom.
 If you move the rod tip to slow, the flies will hang on the bottom or the line
will travel past the rod tip forming a belly in the line downstream (lazy J)
which will make it virtually impossible to detect a strike.
 You have to adjust your speed through the entire drift, but do so in the
slightest manner so you do not disturb the flies while drifting. The easiest
way is to make slight adjustments is with the height of the rod tip. Moving
the rod tip up or down two to three inches will usually do the trick to keep
the line tight and flies in the correct position while moving the rod in a
downstream path matching the speed of the current as mentioned above.
Key points of the Czech Nymph Method
 You are fishing directly under the rod tip with little or no fly line out of the rod tip.
 You can use two flies with the heaviest fly in the “point” or bottom position and the lighter fly
in the top position. For a 3 fly rig, you will rig the heaviest fly in the middle dropper position. If
you are wanting to fish really shallow water, usually with two flies, you have to move the
heaviest fly to the top dropper position.
 You make a lob cast upstream and let the flies sink to the bottom (depending on the weight, it
usually takes less than a second)
 You lead the flies downstream by moving the rod tip as fast or slightly faster than the current,
keeping the leader as tight as possible entering the water at a 45 degree angler without lifting
the flies off the bottom
 The rod/arm is outstretched in front of the angler at all times with the rod parallel or at a
slight downward angle to the water.
 When the flies have swung around below you, give a quick wrist snap (position set), bring the
rod to the 1 0’clock position and recast the flies again.
 To be successful at the Czech method of short nymphing, you must be in permanent contact
with the flies at all times. You do this by keeping the leader tight and moving the rod tip at the
perfect speed. If you move the rod to slow, the flies will hang up or your line/leader will belly
underneath the rod tip. If you move the rod to fast, your flies will never touch the bottom.
This will take some practice to find the right speed but once you do, it will begin to come
naturally). If you feel the slightest bump, set the hook.
 Break the river or stream down into 12” sections from your starting point and make 8 to 10
cast/drifts through each of these sections. That way you will at least get 3 to 4 good drifts in
each.
Equipment for Czech Nymphing
 You do not need a special rod for Czech nymphing, but a longer rod will make things a
little easier, especially when you need to reach over a fast run and hit that pocket on the
other side. A 9’ rod will work just fine when you are getting started, but a 10’ is the rod
of choice for most rivers and streams. Sage has developed a new rod that will fit the gap
between a 9’ and a 10’ rod called the Sage 99 Series. These rods are available in 4
through 8 weight and are all 9’ 9” long. The tips are fast and the mid section is slightly
slower to help open up the casting loop to avoid tangles.
 The line weight is a personal preference. Most anglers will use a 5 weight but a 4 weight
will be a little lighter in your hand and handle most fish you will catch with ease. Weight
is important after a long day of holding your arm out.
 Reels are not really important except in those few occasions where you get that hot
running fish and need a good drag to slow them down. The main thing with the reel is
that it is heavy enough to properly balance your rod. A balanced outfit will make a huge
difference at the end of a long day.
 Polarized glasses are a must, first to help see the defining features of the stream and
second to provide eye protection from the two or three fly rig when it gets out of
control
 Protective gear like a knee/shin guard will come in handy when you are trying to keep a
low profile and fishing on your knees all day.
 Hook hone is a must!!! The flies are in contact with the bottom on every drift and will
eventually dull the hook point. The sharper the point, the less likely you will loose a fish
Polish Nymphing
Polish Nymphing
Polish nymphing is almost identical to the Czech style, since the Polish taught the
Czech’s how to do it. Here are some of the differences:
• You will use only two flies with the heaviest fly in the “point” or bottom position
and the lighter fly in the top position.
• The leader is actually constructed by adding different diameter monofilament to
each other to create a very slight taper.
• The first major difference in the Polish and the Czech leader is the top fly (dropper)
will be attached between two Blood or Double Uni knots and will freely slide up
and down the leader between these two knots. This is accomplished by creating a
dropper tag with a loop at the end and looping the tag around the leader.
• The second major difference is the placement of the indicator/sighter in the Polish
rig. With the Czech method, the indicator/sighter is usually placed at the end of
the fly line and occasionally down into the leader slightly. The Polish rig has the
indicator/sighter about 20 to 25” down from the fly line.
• You fish the Polish Method exactly like the Czech Method, leading the flies
downstream as fast or slightly faster than the current
Placement of Flies for Polish Method – 2 Fly
Samples of Czech/Polish Style Flies
Cardinal Bobesh
Hermit
Authentic Sedge Imitations
Violet Spot Cream Larva
Clown Flies
Polish Woven Nymph
Ice Gammarus
Bugs
Staying in Contact with the Flies
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The leader needs to enter the water at a 45 degree angle from the tip of your rod
to the waters surface.
You must lead the flies as well as match the speed of the current with your rod tip
or just slightly faster than the current speed. The best way to practice this is to
pick a bubble or leaf in the water and match it’s speed when first starting out to
get the right idea of how fast the rod tip needs to move downstream.
If you go to fast, the flies will not sink like they should and you will not feel the
ticking of the bottom.
If you move the rod tip to slow, the flies will hang on the bottom or the line will
travel past the rod tip forming a belly in the line downstream which will make it
virtually impossible to detect a strike.
You have to adjust your speed through the entire drift, but do so in the slightest
manner so you do not disturb the flies while drifting. The easiest way is to make
slight adjustments is with the height of the rod tip. Moving the rod tip up or down
two to three inches will usually do the trick to keep the line tight while moving the
rod in a downstream path matching the speed of the current as mentioned above.
Key points of the Polish Nymphing Method
 You are fishing directly under the rod tip with little or no fly line out of the top of the rod.
 Two fly rig with the heaviest fly in the “point” or bottom position and the lighter fly in the top
position. If you are wanting to fish really shallow water, you have to move the heaviest fly to
the top dropper position.
 You make a lob cast upstream and let the flies sink to the bottom (depending on the weight, it
usually takes less than a second)
 You lead the flies downstream movement of the rod tip as fast or slightly faster than the
current, keeping the leader as tight as possible entering the water at a 45 degree angler
without lifting the flies off the bottom
 The rod/arm is outstretched in front of the angler at all times with the rod parallel or at a
slight downward angle to the water.
 When the flies have swung around below you, give a quick wrist snap (position set), bring the
rod to the 1 0’clock position and recast the flies again.
 To be successful at the Polish method of short nymphing, you must be in permanent contact
with the flies at all times. You do this by keeping the leader tight and moving the rod tip at the
perfect speed. If you move the rod to slow, the flies will hang up or your line/leader will belly
underneath the rod tip. If you move the rod to fast, your flies will never touch the bottom.
This will take some practice to find the right speed but once you do, it will begin to come
naturally). If you feel the slightest bump, set the hook.
 Break the river or stream down into 12” sections from your starting point and make 8 to 10
cast/drifts through each of these sections. That way you will at least get 3 to 4 good drifts in
each.
Equipment for Polish Nymphing
 You will fish the exact same rod/reel/line set-up you would use for the Czech
Nymphing Method. The only difference between the two is again the way in which
you rig the leader.
 Protective knee/shin guards are a plus as you are trying to maintain a low profile to
the water and will be fishing from a crouched or kneeling position a lot .
 One key point here is a well balanced outfit. If you are having to fight the rod tip up
all day while holding your arm out in front of you, fatigue is going to set in quickly
or you will develop pain in your shoulders and forearm.
 Polarized glasses are a must for seeing fish, and fishy lies as well as for protection
against flies coming at you if they pop out of a fish when trying to net it or off of
the bottom.
French Nymphing
French Nymphing
The French have developed a technique that will disprove almost all writings about dead drifts
and presentations required to catch trout.
• The leaders range from 15’ to 25’ long.
• Rods used are typically 11’ up to 12’
• They use an indicator/sighter called a Mono Coiled Sighter . This is a monofilament coil that
will elongate slightly when fishing and when a fish takes the fly, it will start to elongate all the
way. It will not impede your cast because you are lobbing the flies upstream on a light leader.
The strike detection is amazing and you will pick up more fish as you have a little more time
to set the hook before the fish feels tension.
• Flies are fished directly up stream, breaking the river down into 12” sections, pulling the flies
back toward them through the water column by raising the rod tip up and moving the rod
back through the drift. When you get to the 12 o’clock position, you implement a quick
position set and re-cast the flies. This is a quick fire method of fishing where you will make a
cast every 10 to 15 seconds.
• The fish will react to the sinking flies or the downstream movement and opportunistically
take them.
• The flies are almost always small offerings like the micro nymphs or smaller Czech style
nymphs that are light to medium in weight with or without a tungsten bead
Placement of Flies for French Method – 2 Fly
Key Points of the French Method
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Two fly rig - heaviest fly on the bottom (point)
Flies are not as heavy and usually a smaller size (micro nymphs)
Flies are fished directly upstream or at a slight angle upstream (right or
left)
Flies are not allowed to roll across the bottom
Flies are physically pulled or swam through the water column by lifting
the rod toward you in an up and away motion as the flies move
downstream
When your rod tip reaches the 12 o’clock position, give a quick position
set and re-cast the flies. This is a quick fire methods where you will
present the flies in a particular run ever 15 to 20 seconds
You are watching the coiled indicator/sighter for elongation to detect the
strike. You are not tight on these flies so you have to
rely on the coil
Flies are a minimum 20" apart fro eye to eye
Great method for water depths ranging from 6" to 36"
What is a Micronymph?
Micronymphs are smaller offerings that more readily imitate mayflies and smaller caddis larva
present in most streams. This is a classification of flies that is rarely mentioned in any
European nymphing presentation here in the US. I place the Micronmyph section here as it
goes along with the French method of nymphing. The smaller nymphs are a great choice on
the French set-up as they will not make a huge splash but will still get down fast.
Common characteristics of micro nymphs:
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small sizes 12 to 20
Tungsten bead heads
Weighted underbodies with no bead
Tied on 2X long nymph hooks or Jig hooks
Sparse dressing – Bodies are usually constructed with thread or small amount of dubbing
"hot spots“ for trigger points
No wing case
fur collars or something similar to obtain addition movement
Soft hackle patterns (partridge, grouse or CDC) used right behind the bead
When the going gets tough, micro nymphs are the answer!!
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Micro nymph Patterns
Here is an example of a lightly weighted micro nymph that utilizes a colored head for the trigger
or “hot spot”
This is a great top fly on a two fly rig. It will stay suspended in the water column through the drift
and really move around with the undulating currents. This is one of my top flies for tough
fishing conditions.
Micro nymph Patterns
Here is another style of micro nymph that uses a custom CDC dubbing brush for the collar which
provides a tremendous amount of movement in the water. This fly has a colored tungsten
bead and 10 turns of .015 lead wire behind the bead. This is a great point fly due to it’s
weight .
Micro nymph Patterns
Equipment for French Nymphing
 A longer rod is a must for this method. 10’ to 11’ rods will make fishing this
technique a lot easier as you have to compensate for the flies swimming back
toward you.
 The line weight is a personal preference. Most anglers will use a 5 weight but a 4
weight will do the trick and be a little lighter in your hand. Weight is important
after a long day of holding your arm out.
 Reels are not really important except in those few occasions where you get that hot
running fish and need a good drag to slow them down. The main thing with the reel
is that it is heavy enough to properly balance your rod. A balanced outfit will make
a huge difference at the end of a long day.
 Polarized glasses are a must, first to help see the defining features of the stream
and second to provide eye protection from the two or three fly rig when it gets out
of control
Spanish Nymphing
Spanish Nymphing
Since the 1980's nymph fishing in Europe has evolved into a number of highly
specialized methods that are quite different from techniques favored in the US.
These new methods have become very popular with many of the best stream
fishermen in the world largely due to International competition. Spanish Nymphing
is a technique that all members of Fly Fishing Team USA use extensively. It is an
effective method when the fish are super spooky and you cannot wade in the river
without spooking the run.
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Here are some of the main differences between the Spanish and French Methods:
Super long leaders that are 18’ to 28’ in length
The distance from angler to trout during the presentation is greatly increased.
This is a far more visual technique compared to the feel you get with Polish or
Czech methods as you are not tight to the flies due to the great distances covered.
You have to rely on the indicator/sighter for all strike detection.
Rods are typically 10 to 12-feet in length with a medium or slow action.
Rod tip is held high and increased throughout the drift until you reach the 12
o’clock position where you begin to lower the rod tip down as the flies pass you.
Spanish Nymphing Leaders
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Leaders range from 15 to 30 feet. The 30’ leader is one the extreme side, but has
its purpose in certain situations.
The leaders themselves are extremely light. The traditional technique calls for a 8
to 12 foot section of 1X to 3X tippet material nail knotted to the fly line followed
by a 1 to 2 foot section of 6 to 8lb Hi-Vis indicator/sighter material.
Next the leader is built down with 3 to 8 foot section of 4X then you will add your
droppers with either 5X, 6X or 7X. Use double surgeon or Orvis Tippet knot leaving
a tag end of about eight inches from the parent line to form the dropper tag
To make it simple, buy a 12-foot 3X tapered and attach the sections described
above to bring it out to 15 to 18-feet. This will give you a little better turn-over as
the thick butt section of a tapered leader will transfer the power from the rod/line
more efficiently.
Length of leader below the indicator/sighter should be 2 times the depth of the
water you are fishing. (example: if you have a run that is 3’ deep, the total length
of tippet below the indicator/sighter will be 6’ long)
Fishing the Spanish Nymphing Method
Make a big LOB cast finishing with the rod tip at about a 45 degree angle to the water surface and gently
raise the rod as the flies drift downstream, taking in any excess line by stripping in or with a hand retrieve
so you keep the indicator section right above the surface of the water.
• When you have made your cast and the flies are drifting downstream, you will see a reverse “C” in the
line/leader. You can also lead the flies in situations where you may potentially hang up or need to move
them out of a back eddy. Just keep the rod moving downstream a little quicker than the fly line/leader.
• When the flies are directly across from you, your rod tip should be at its maximum height. As the flies pass
you, slowly lower the rod tip and transition into a subtle swing. Let the flies dangle in the current for 5 or 10
seconds and give a little hand retrieve or short little strips before repeating the sequence.
• WATCH THE COLORED MONOFILAMENT for any changes in direction, movement, or pauses, and respond
with an up and away hook set. Spanish Nymphing is different than the tight line approach of the Czech
and Polish methods where we are slightly leading the flies as opposed to letting them simply bounce
along the bottom at their own pace.
There are a few things you can do to make the process easier:
– Initially try to keep your leaders short – 12 to 15 feet will be a lot easier to control
– Pay close attention to the anchor fly weight. If it hangs on the bottom every time, it's too heavy
– Keep as much line as you can off the water (you want the indicator section right at the water’s surface)
– Stay low in the river and approach slowly
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Spanish Nymphing Leader
Samples of Czech/Polish Style Flies
We use the same flies that we did in the Czech or Polish
Methods
Cardinal Bobesh
Hermit
Authentic Sedge Imitations
Violet Spot Cream Larva
Clown Flies
Polish Woven Nymph
Ice Gammarus
Bugs
Placement of Flies for Spanish Method – 2 Fly
Key Points of the Spanish Method
Two fly rig - heaviest fly on the bottom (point)
Use the same flies you would in the CZECH or POLISH method
Flies are lobbed upstream at a 45 degree angle finishing with the rod tip
high
Rod tip travels in an upward motion as the flies are drifting downstream
Rod tip travels in a downward motion after the flies have passed you in
the drift
Indicator/sighter is held right at the water's surface throughout the entire
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drift
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Rod tip height should be adjusted throughout the drift to allow the flies
to travel in a straight line
You will not feel the take or strike so you have to watch the
indicator/sighter for the slightest pause or deviation
Flies are a minimum 20" apart from eye to eye
Long line/range technique for spooky fish or covering water in a big river
Great method for water depths ranging from 6" to 4'
Equipment for Spanish Nymphing
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A longer rod is a must for this method. 10’ to 11’ rods will make fishing this
technique a lot easier as you have to compensate for the longer leader and the
ability to control the drift at really long distances.
The line weight is a personal preference. Most anglers will use a 5 weight but a 3
or 4 weight will do the trick and be a little lighter in your hand. Weight is important
after a long day of holding your arm out.
Reels are not really important except in those few occasions where you get that
hot running fish and need a good drag to slow them down. The main thing with
the reel is that it is heavy enough to properly balance your rod. A balanced outfit
will make a huge difference at the end of a long day.
Polarized glasses are a must, first to help see the defining features of the stream
and second to provide eye protection from the two or three fly rig when it gets out
of control
In stock – www.bluequillangler.com
The main thing with any of these methods is to get out and try each one of them.
Each method has it’s place and time depending on the location and all are very
effective once the technique is mastered.
The nymphing methods we have just covered are not something you will learn
overnight. They take a lot of practice to master so get out on the water and learn
one at a time until you feel comfortable.
Once you have mastered all of these techniques, you will definitely become a more intune angler with 4 new ways to catch more fish!!