Author Topic: Drift/Bounce? (Read 266 times)

Bill Steudler · « **on:** November 15, 2010, 06:46:16 PM »

I have noticed some people talking about the "bounce" theory on flies. Flies are not a superball, a walts worm will smack off a rock just as well as a vladi worm. It is all about the velocity of the current. The flies will never bounce up through the current or upstream of the current. I am not sure why this way to dredge the bottom at all times of the year seems to be so popular. Unless you enjoy tying.......I fish flies that will get me down through the surface current and to a fish-able position. Thanks to a little insight from Loren Williams. When a nymph becomes dislodged it does not sink straight to the bottom and bang off every rock. It is picked up and pushed along with the current. Other than rolling eggs along the bottom does anyone use this "bounce" drift for anything else?

Jim Frazier · « **Reply #1 on:** November 15, 2010, 07:37:45 PM »

i think most people feel that in heavy water the trout are "normally" feeding near the bottom where the current is not so strong. i doubt most guys dredge the bottom all year but hey maybe they do. i thought the idea behind the flys with rubber coatings or thin skin etc. were used to have less wear and tear on the fly (especially the point fly ) which is most of the time riding bottom. not sure though bill , hopefully someone can shed some light on this as well

Bill Steudler · « **Reply #2 on:** November 15, 2010, 09:13:46 PM »

i use the synthetics like thin skin etc. to cut down the water tension on my fly.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #3 on:** November 15, 2010, 09:48:43 PM »

Now that you mention it, when have you ever seen anything bounce in the water? It's a term/action I took for granted but it actually doesn't make much sense when I think about it. Once again, we need a huge test aquarium to fig'r this stuff out!

Bill Steudler · « **Reply #4 on:** November 15, 2010, 11:14:24 PM »

Test aquarium or a fluid dynamics textbook. Unless someone can make a fly that sinks and is able to be buoyant in the water at the same time there is no such thing as a fly "bouncing" across the bottom. Actually that is impossible too. Myth Busted i guess.

Robbie Bell · « **Reply #5 on:** November 16, 2010, 01:44:17 PM »

Hi There,

Of course you are right…...no fly could ever bounce in water….. the physics would just not allow it.

However the bottom of a stream is not like a snooker table. (pool table)

So if you get the weight just about right once the fly is down there the boulders will lift the fly up and then gravity will drop it back into the micro pockets. This drop into the micro pockets will be slowed by the water and the slight drag of the leader. This will make the fly gently free fall into the micro pockets before the next rock or boulder lifts the fly again.

So whilst the fly is certainly not bouncing a graph of its action would trace a sort of “bouncing” path.

I think maybe that is what is meant by “bouncing”

Just a thought………

Best Regards

robbie

Bill Steudler · « **Reply #6 on:** November 16, 2010, 04:53:27 PM »

Nice insight, I never thought of the bottom of the stream acting like an airplane wing. With the air being the fly....Most guys at least in my area(Central PA) are all about loading their rig up with shot and actually dredging bottom. Might have a different meaning in different parts of the world.

IHPGFY · « **Reply #7 on:** November 16, 2010, 09:32:06 PM »

Bill,

I know when I did refer to bounce in one of my last posts in reference to a fly I tie, it was primarily in relation to when the fly made contact with objects on or near the bottom. I agree with you about the bounce thing, however, with relation to streamers, I find that a jigging motion, similar to a bounce in a sense can be a very deadly technique in which to catch fish. The motion is imparted by the fisherman obviously, but I guess with some clever thought could be termed a bounce.

What I find is the beauty of the "euro", High stick or long leader nymphing methods is the ability to fish your fly exactly where you want it in relation to the water column. I mean, when one gets fairly adept at keeping in contact with their flies this way, they can essentially fish their flies anywhere in the water column in hopes of locating a taker. This is what I think makes these methods so dynamic. Sorry for the rambling.

Bill Steudler · « **Reply #8 on:** November 16, 2010, 11:19:08 PM »

I definitely hear you on the streamers, I throw a 5/32 tungsten bead on just about every streamer I fish to give it that bounce or rocking look on the retrieve. I really don't try to impart the movement on it but just let the streamer do its own thing as I strip. I will have to try bouncing the bottom with it next time. It adds another dynamic to your streamer on the retrieve.