Drogue line length

[Aaron Laing]

Okay. I've got questions regarding the length of line from the drogue tie-in point to the vessel (sock type drogues).

Is there a required length under Fips-Mouche that I missed?
Assuming there are no rules on this point, what do you find to be the optimal length?
Does wind speed and current affect your choice of length?

Thanks in advance,

Aaron

[Loren Williams]

I am not aware of a tether restriction.  I feel if they are too close they spook fish and do not set up well, too far out and they hang bottom on slow drifts.  Probably 10-15 feet is about right.

I dislike socks as the boat tends to pivot on them too much.  Maybe one fore and one aft?  I use an Int'l Para and it's the cat's meow. 

[Todd Oishi]

I prefer to use a shorter rope, as it allows you to pull the drogue from the water much faster and at times it will allow a slightly faster drift speed. I suppose for me it is more about spending more time fishing and covering water - rather than messing around with the drogue.

Not quite sure about a FIPS rule on length...

[Ronnie Christie]

Not sure about the length, but if any of you are fishing for trout like those in Manitoba then i would keep it as short as is functional.  If those larger fish go under or behind the boat and you have a long line out the back you may come unstuck.  We attach another rope to the centre of our para drogues (on the outside).  You then attach that to your seat.  When you pull it it collapses the drogue allowing you to pull it in very quickly without getting of your seat.

Ronnie

[Kurt Finlayson]

I think a longer drogue line lets the drogue sink into deeper water. The deeper water is not moved as much by the wind and I believe it slows the drift more.  It all depends on how your drogue works. With a longer line mine sinks deeper.