Vaal river Tactics: Short line Nymphing

[shagnrelease]

Nice article, when I was fly fishing competively we were not allowed to use strike indicators, but could use a dropper fly, we were also not allowed to tie the New Zealand Rig that you showed. I knwo it makes no difference but just though I would mention it.
A very effective method not just for yellows but also trout, especially browns.

Any idea why that would be?? Really not being funny, just curious? Considering the norm is now czech nymphing in world competition? Does the new zealand rig over more benefits than a czech rig with say 3 flies?? Not Directed at mike in particular, but there maybe some competitive fly guys out there?

[Capt. Hook]

Nice article, when I was fly fishing competively we were not allowed to use strike indicators, but could use a dropper fly, we were also not allowed to tie the New Zealand Rig that you showed. I knwo it makes no difference but just though I would mention it.
A very effective method not just for yellows but also trout, especially browns.

Any idea why that would be?? Really not being funny, just curious? Considering the norm is now czech nymphing in world competition? Does the new zealand rig over more benefits than a czech rig with say 3 flies?? Not Directed at mike in particular, but there maybe some competitive fly guys out there?

Greg, the NZ rig is just the way the flies are attached by tying the line onto the bend of the hook, for the rest it is all the same, in other words when czech nymphing you have your 3 flys, tied to hang off the main line, you could use a NZ rig to czech nymph by tying each fly to the other. The reason we were given is that the NZ rig gives the angler an unfair advantage: why I have no clue.
For short line nymphing it is exactly the same, the flys must hang of a main line like "Yozuris" and not be tied in a line

[Rory]

Mike is right, I've never flyfished competitively so I can't say why it isn't allowed. Hmmmm..... this is a perfect opportunity to start a new thread on tying different leaders that will give the same effect as the NZ rig.
 
Give me an hour or three....

[L Hooker]

Thanks for sharing Rory, it's been a long time since i wet a fly line in the vaal, you making me liss..

[Herman Jooste]

Great post Rory. + cred.
 
As you know I have simplifird my lesder/dropper set up, but my graphics skills are non existant.
 
Maybe you could do the graphics of :
 
Fly line leader connection,  perfection loop, loop to loop.
Leader length around 6 ft to a perfection loop tied with a long tag of around 8 inches. Tie the control fly on to this tag end at about 4 inches from the loop.
Take another piece of line about 500mm long. Perfection loop the one end, and join to the loop on the leader via loop to loop. Tie your point fly on the end of this extension.
 
It's very quick and easy, and can be modified to suit your own preferene.

[FCLoretz]

Great article Rory,

I just have one or two question here. When you do switch your point fly and control fly around, to reduce the tension in the leader setup, does the mono, attached to the bend of the "point fly', not reduce your hookup rate.

If your point fly and control fly is swapped around. does the "point" fly then not move naturally, as it would have when it was at the point?

[Rory]

......does the mono, attached to the bend of the "point fly', not reduce your hookup rate.

Reduce, probably. But stopping hookups entirely, definitely not. Fishing is very much a confidence thing, if it bugs you change the setup!! The rig Herman outlined above is a simple and effective way to fish a similar system without tying the point fly onto the bend. Remember nothing is carved in stone!
 
 

If your point fly and control fly is swapped around. does the "point" fly then not move naturally, as it would have when it was at the point?

The plot thickens!! Now you need to get a balance between all the flies on your leader. Try adding a third fly, spread the weight between the flies to try and get all the flys to drift mor naturally. Of course a lot will depend on the speed of the current and the depth of the fish. You might have to sacrifice natural movement on one fly to get the other flies down.
 
There probably isnt one rig, or method of fly placement, that will suit all fishing conditions, be adaptable to the situation you're fishing!

[FCLoretz]

 
Reduce, probably. But stopping hookups entirely, definitely not. Fishing is very much a confidence thing, if it bugs you change the setup!! The rig Herman outlined above is a simple and effective way to fish a similar system without tying the point fly onto the bend. Remember nothing is carved in stone!
 

I know the leader setup that Herman refers to, I have fished with Herman and he showed me this rig. To date this is the only rig I have fished with. I have not actually considered using a NZ rig for yellows on the Vaal

Thank you for the response.

[Debbie]

Wow great post. So much info and loads to learn.   

[Herman Jooste]

In lower, slower flows, irrespective of which leader / dropper set up you use, do away with the heavy control fly, and fish either 2 or 3 "normal"  # 12 - 16 flies of your choice , each with a tungsten bead of around 1.5mm dia.
 
Depending on your cast, i.e. landing your team parallel with the surface they will all sink at the same rate. This gives every fish in the same depth 2 or 3 looks at something to eat.
 
 Popping the point fly in with a tuck cast ( stopping the line feed short ) will mean different depths of the flies, slowly descending during the drift. Very usefull in slow deepish glides after a "tail out " from a pool.