Range for Euro-nymphing

[Louis Martin]

When you fish the slinky/curly far away, say 30 or more feet, do you hold the rod tip very high and keep enough tension to keep the curly in the air, just off the surface, or do you float the curly?  At about what distance must one float the curly to avoid pulling the flies too fast? 

[Loren Williams]

it's gonna depend on your leader and the type of water you chose to float.  If I know I will float my curly on say long slow runs or broad riffles I will use a shorter leader and cast fly line to get a long drift and allow of the current drift to assist with maintaining contatc.  For me, keeping the curly off the water is a short drift "spot fishing" presentation and I will use a long leader to create distance and maximze contact.