Wind

[Rick Scida]

Just started trying out euro style (1 week) and was wondering how to handle wind gusts?  Today I went out and experienced a few good gusts which caused my line to bend. It was nothing to get excited about but I started to think.  What to do if it was a sustained wind all day?  I tried lowering my rod tip but felt like I was dragging my fly's through the drift.  Anybody have any tips?

[Dejon Hamann]

Heavy sustained wind can really just about completely kill euro nymphing... at least at distance.  Using heavier anchor flies to "anchor" your cast is one solution

[Rick Scida]

Dejon:  Going heavier was a thought I had which lead me back to something I once read in "Joe Humphrey's Trout Tactics".  Although he was not specifically talking about wind he was making a statement about bend in our line when nymphing.  After re-reading it today he was somewhat describing today's Euro style back in 1981.  He states "Actually, my ace line system for deep nymphing and line sensitivity is monofiliment.  You can cast monofiliment with a fly rod?  How can that be ?  Monofiliment has no weight, there's no resistance.  True, but when the weight is on the nymph end, nymphing with monofiliment becomes a very effective way of fishing deep, fast water - about the most effective there is."  After re-reading this passage Joe was describing today's rage back in 1981.  The only thing missing is the sighter which from what I've read and heard was probably built in.  It's cool to be able to type a question on the internet and get some sort of answer.  However there is something about reading an old fashion book while listening to a few tunes (my favorite Keb Mo) and combine the two media's. All in the pursuit of catching a dumb A$$ fish.

Rick

[Mark Hanes]

Humphrey's was really ahead of the learning curve.  I have fished his methods for the last 15 years and they are highly effective. To be honest adding a curly indicator and using his methods with that change alone is deadly.  I feel I have jumped up the euro nymphing  curve at an exhilarated rate simply because it is not that much of a change for the Joe's methods.

As far a combating wind the heavy anchor helps but I also use it to my advantage by leading my flies a little quicker to keep my line strait and get better contact with my nymphs in the wind. 

[Rick Scida]

"As far a combating wind the heavy anchor helps but I also use it to my advantage by leading my flies a little quicker to keep my line strait and get better contact with my nymphs in the wind. "

Mark:  Thanks for the tip, it took a couple of re-reads for this to sink in.  What I'm reading is the wind speed is the wind speed and the water velocity is a constant therefore focus on the water speed.  Man sometimes this is so simple. 

Again Thanks

Rick

[Loren Williams]

A low rod tip helps a bunch too. 

However, if it's really windy I'll go to dry/dropper to relieve a ton of frustration!

[Dejon Hamann]

there is something about reading an old fashion book while listening to a few tunes (my favorite Keb Mo) and combine the two media's. All in the pursuit of catching a dumb A$$ fish.

There's definitely something magical that happens on the "learning curve" when you combine media.  Keb Mo's sweet blues slide guitar mixed with the palatable sensation of ink on wood is something that helps me too.  Just remember though... a fish's ass is about as dumb as the head who is pursuing it.

[Mark Hanes]

Wind is just something you have to deal with and if you are only interested in fishing and don't mind breaking the euro nymphing rules you can use split shot to help as well.

Loren makes a good point with the dropper dry approach.  I also have sometimes switched to streamers myself just to take the wind out of the equation.  Plus the wind will sometimes add movement to the streamers ans elicit a strike.  I guess it is using the elements in your favor then.

[Domenick Swentosky]

Just remember though... a fish's ass is about as dumb as the head who is pursuing it.

Hey D, what'd you just say about my father-in-law?

-Domenick

[Domenick Swentosky]

you can use split shot to help as well.

That's what I've done mostly to deal with the wind.  Seems that you need to counteract the effect of the wind above the water by putting more weight under the water.  I guess It's the same concept as adding weight to basically counteract the pullback of the fly line belly when using the Humphreys approach.  I usually keep the split in between the two flies and sometimes closer to the anchor.

I did this with sucker spawn yesterday which were not tied heavy enough to get to the bottom without some weight in front of them.  Anybody have another method for getting sucker spawn to the fish while euro nymphing?  Seems to be one of those patterns that when heavily weighted, loses it's effectiveness, but otherwise it's too bouyant and used on the dropper I feel like it is actually creating drag.  Thoughts?

Enjoy the day.
Domenick

[Todd Oishi]

The higher the wind - the lower the rod tip...

I tend to change techniques when the sense of touch or vision is diminished by the wind. It is very important to remember that you often have only one chance to entice a strike from a fish, so in a case like this, it is often wise to avoid wasting that opportunity with an ineffective or insensitive presentation...

[Rick Scida]

Everyone thanks for the tips.  I'll be trying them out, looks like over the next few day's mother nature may cooperate with a few gusts.  MAY HAVE TO TELL THE BOSS I HAVE A TUMMY ACH SAY AROUND 9 AM.   One thing I'm starting to understand as Todd said is focus on every cast.

"It is very important to remember that you often have only one chance to entice a strike from a fish, so in a case like this, it is often wise to avoid wasting that opportunity with an ineffective or insensitive presentation... " 

(Sorry I haven't figured out the quote thing yet)

Yea I know Dejon that would be dumb ass!

Again guys great tips and great forum!

Rick