Keeping it simple: The "New Zealand" Leader Setup

[Rory]

This rig is simple and quick to setup. The knots I've chosen in the diagram are not the
only knots to use, they can be changed as per personal preference. In rivers the primary
purpose of fishing two flies is to be able to control the depth at which the flies are
drifting. The Point fly is connected to the Control fly via a piece of mono, with a
simple clinch knot tied on the bend of the hook. The Control fly is generally the heavy
fly, which will pull the lighter, or unweighted, point fly down to the required depth.
Again this is not a hard and fast rule, eg: both flies can be lightly weighted, the
combined weight then being heavy enough to pull both flies down. Or both flies can be
unweighted - if tied slim and dense enough, the flies will still sink to the correct
drifting depth. The length of the tippet section will depend on the depth of the water
to be fished. The section of line between the Control fly and Point fly is usually about
30cm long. Again this is a guideline and can be changed. The strike indicator is placed
on the leader section, between the fly line and the loop to loop connection.
 

 
A two fly rig is extremely effective when fishing in stillwaters as well. In fact
personally I never fish a single fly setup at all anymore. The most popular technique is
to tie on an attractor pattern as a "control" fly and then a smaller more realistic
pattern on the point. The point fly can be as small as a size 18! Patterns such as
Woolly Buggers and Dragonfly Nymphs make good attractors, and small Flashback nymphs or
Atomic worms can be deadly on the point.

[Gerhard]

Nice one.

Also show the guys the czech setup.

[Lichia amia]

This rig is simple and quick to setup. The knots I've chosen in the diagram are not the
only knots to use, they can be changed as per personal preference. In rivers the primary
purpose of fishing two flies is to be able to control the depth at which the flies are
drifting. The Point fly is connected to the Control fly via a piece of mono, with a
simple clinch knot tied on the bend of the hook. The Control fly is generally the heavy
fly, which will pull the lighter, or unweighted, point fly down to the required depth.
Again this is not a hard and fast rule, eg: both flies can be lightly weighted, the
combined weight then being heavy enough to pull both flies down. Or both flies can be
unweighted - if tied slim and dense enough, the flies will still sink to the correct
drifting depth. The length of the tippet section will depend on the depth of the water
to be fished. The section of line between the Control fly and Point fly is usually about
30cm long. Again this is a guideline and can be changed. The strike indicator is placed
on the leader section, between the fly line and the loop to loop connection.
 

 
A two fly rig is extremely effective when fishing in stillwaters as well. In fact
personally I never fish a single fly setup at all anymore. The most popular technique is
to tie on an attractor pattern as a "control" fly and then a smaller more realistic
pattern on the point. The point fly can be as small as a size 18! Patterns such as
Woolly Buggers and Dragonfly Nymphs make good attractors, and small Flashback nymphs or
Atomic worms can be deadly on the point.

Sensei Rory , what is the total lenght from the nail knot to the point fly ?

[Capt. Hook]

When I was fly fishing competively for Natal and in SA Champs the New Zealand Rig was against the rules and not legal. Also the flies may not be less than 30cm apart, you may not fish more than 3 flies.

[Rory]

Sensei Rory , what is the total lenght from the nail knot to the point fly ?

Keep it about as long as the flyrod, about 9 foot! You can use a straight piece of mono, don't fork out big bucks for those tapered leaders in this case!

When I was fly fishing competively for Natal and in SA Champs the New Zealand Rig was against the rules and not legal. Also the flies may not be less than 30cm apart, you may not fish more than 3 flies.

Quite correct Mike, but for recreational fishing purposes, the rig is fine!

[Gerhard]

When I was fly fishing competively for Natal and in SA Champs the New Zealand Rig was against the rules and not legal. Also the flies may not be less than 30cm apart, you may not fish more than 3 flies.

Yea,

But luckily we dont fish competitively when going to the Vaal...

It all about fun and catching a couple of ... 

[dizzy]

You could tie your "dropper" directly to the tippet above the heavy fly, this will allow the dropper to slide up and down giving a bit more movement ;)

[rockspider]

Thanks Rory,
Tried this for grayling a few weeks ago.
I have a question regarding the 3 water turn knot for droppers, I hope this is not a hijack 

When tying the 3 turn water knot, which fly do you tie onto the tippet you are introducing to the main line ? The dry or control fly ?

thanks
e

[TravisPole]

Hey Rory,


Great meeting you on Tuesday. your posts are very informative and simple to understand for Newbies like me.

Looking forward to reading more and meeting up some time on the water. 

[Capt. Hook]

Thanks Rory,
Tried this for grayling a few weeks ago.
I have a question regarding the 3 water turn knot for droppers, I hope this is not a hijack 

When tying the 3 turn water knot, which fly do you tie onto the tippet you are introducing to the main line ? The dry or control fly ?

thanks
e

The dropper is the fly used closest to your fly line, this should be a dry fly like a DDD in a bright colour to be used as a strike indicator as in competitive fly fishing you cannot use a strike indicator but a dropper is legal, you weighted fly goes next and then goes you point fly.