Author Topic: Empty Droppers (Read 225 times)

Dejon Hamann · « **on:** June 04, 2010, 06:05:16 PM »

It's a simple solution that really avoided me for a long time: utilizing multiple empty dropper tags. At first I was looking for a way to quickly change the depth of my dry/dropper rig in competition. Tying multiple empty droppers solved that quick (thank you Robbie!). Now I usually run with 3, 4, or even 5/6 tags below my curly in my euro nymphing setup. If I decide a "vertical presentation" is key then I add a dry (based on depth) to one of the appropriate tags. Nymphs running too shallow/deep? Just move the the dry up or down one tag. Simple. No need for constant, time consuming re-rigging!

Over the last few weeks I've noticed another big benefit to empty tags. If you've been having trouble fishing light flies on your euro rig at distance try rigging up with a few empty tags above your flies next time. The tags help to anchor those light flies at a distance and aid your effort to control the drift.

Get creative. Today I found there were two distinct feeders on my local free stone. Smaller fish snapping midge in the surface film and larger fish hugging the bottom looking for a bigger meal. The anchor of choice was a stonefly, but how could I simultaneously fish both water columns across a wide array of depths? You guessed it. By moving my micro may/midge pattern up or down 1 or 2 droppers I could keep the stone on the bottom and still be working the surface film!

Aaron Laing · « **Reply #1 on:** June 04, 2010, 06:53:47 PM »

Now that you mention it, I did the same thing in Mt Tremblant in the stillwater session on Vennet. I was trying to determine the optimal distance from my blob to chironomid (ie near enough to attract the brookies yet far enough away that they wouldn't be put off the chironomid. Lot's of uses I guess.

Aaron

Daniel Podobed · « **Reply #2 on:** April 06, 2011, 11:37:23 AM »

Hey Dejon,

Do you mean tying extra, empty tag ends onto your nymph system while fishing? Say you typically fish 2 nymphs in a system, so instead of having 2 tie on points in your system, you create 5 at various depths, so a. they are already tied on, time saving. and b. you can change the depth easier then having to retie your entire system on?

If so, this just blew my mind. my only question would be, have you experienced any extra tangles with the empty tag ends, and have fish been more warry of your nymphs with the extra tippet?

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #3 on:** April 06, 2011, 11:49:01 AM »

That's exactly it Daniel.

No extra tangles to speak of with just a bit of usual care in casting. And "fish warryness" is always so subjective, but I'd say no... at least for the trade off of the benefits of using this system. If the fish are so wary as to be spooked by a bit of fluorocarbon fluttering somewhere overhead, and X ft over your nymphs mind you, then I'd probably be considering a stealthy long leader/line approach.

Daniel Podobed · « **Reply #4 on:** April 06, 2011, 12:02:28 PM »

wow, this just changed my game up.

Jim Frazier · « **Reply #5 on:** April 06, 2011, 06:14:42 PM »

Dejon , to fish a heavy stone with a midge up top you would have to know the water depth quite well ? Otherwise you midge is underwater ? With 2 drastically different currents going on there (top & bottom ) do you have many fish take the midge or is it just on there in case one should hit ? just wonderin

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #6 on:** April 06, 2011, 07:14:27 PM »

Phrasing error: That should read "near the surface" as it would obviously be nearly impossible to fish the bottom and the actual film with any regularity.