The MICRO LEADER: Taking EURO NYMPHING to another level

After you have a sold foundation in EURO NYMPHING, it's all the changes on the margin that takes your game to another level. Using the Micro Leader is one of those changes.
The original Euro formulas were developed to use with fly rods that were made to fish with traditional fly line. We discovered that if you took fly line out of the equation, it would reduce sag and allow you to have a better connection to your bugs. Using 20# Maxima and the like (tapered down) had enough mass to propel lightly weighted flies. This has been the "standard" for a very long time. But just like anything else...equipment. materials, techniques, etc...evolve over time. As euro rods evolved, they no longer needed the mass of 20# test to propel your flies...you just needed the weight of the flies. This allowed us to thin our leaders out, use lighter bugs, fish farther away, and increase our strike detection ten fold.
In this video, I take you along with me on Penns Creek and show you the pros, cons, and common misconceptions of the micro leader. You will see that the pros far outweigh the cons. This leader will help you move from feeling your strikes to seeing them. THIS is one of the key "ah ha" moments in euro nymphing. I also discuss my personal formula.
Embrace the micro leader and it's advantages, It WILL raise your Euro game!
Hope you enjoy.
Tight lines!
Cory
Personal formula:
Airflo braided Euro Nymphing line (strip the coating at the end and whip finish a in small loop to tie on leader)
18-24ft of .18mm (4x) or .16mm (5x) Pezon & Michel Color Line (fl. yellow or green) to 5ft of .18mm (4x) or .16mm (5x) Pezon & Michel Color Line bi-color (pink/white) to a Cortland 1mm tippet ring. 3-5ft of 7x-6x fluorocarbon.
Or you can go straight 23-29ft of .18mm or .16mm Bi-color to the tippet ring.
Alternatives:
Sempe, Adams, JMC
Thin diameter sighters (5-4x) are also available by: Cortland Tri-Color, RIO, Hanak. They are available in different colors that may stand out for you.
Top 5 things to learn: Euro Nymphing: • HOW to become better a...
#euronymphing #euroleaders #microleaders

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Personal formula and alternatives are in the description. Tight lines!

[@jeromefynaut8177]

Hi Cory Jerome wants to get started in euro fly fishing what would be the way could you help me out looking for a set up,just reaching out for professional assistance do you think orvis possible work for me looking at 10-6”helois F and hydro reel not sure on fly line hopefully you can help me,you inspired me and your videos to me you are a professional I live in the central valley of California hope to hear from you soon keep those lines tight thank you again by the way I do a lot of dry fly fishing I feel this is the next step I am a intermediate

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

@jeromefynaut8177 hey Jerome. If you are just starting out, I would suggest the Orvis 10ft Recon and not the H3. Really get the fundamentals down, then you can step up you rod. Orvis does make a great euro reel with the Hydros. You can use this setup that I use in this video. Practice, practice, practice your casting. Watch my “5 things to Learn” video and focus on those fundamentals. Tight lines. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYHQlHSQj9KZY5Isi=Oe-odEM81iVKmJtB

[@jeromefynaut8177]

@@OldDominionTroutBum Thank you for the advice and study the 5 fundamentals on your video and thank you again

[@onramat]

Hello, could you make a tutorial video on how exactly (with which knots?) you tie your: "Personal formula: Airflo braided Euro Nymphing line (strip the coating at the end and whip finish a in small loop to tie on leader) 18- 24ft of .18mm (4x) or .16mm (5x) Pezon & Michel Color Line (fluoro yellow or green) to 5ft of .18mm (4x) or .16mm (5x) Pezon & Michel Color Line bi-color (pink/white ) to a Cortland 1mm tippet ring. 3-5ft of 7x-6x fluorocarbon. Thanks!

[@user-nd1tp4ye1b]

My friends at the fly shop set me up with 12 pound chameleon and 10 pound sighter and I was catching some fish. This video changed everything! I switched to 4x Pezon and michel and WOW. I’m seeing everything now and catching a lot more fish. I also shortened my tippet so I’m not dragging bottom all the time. I often say now “that’s a really nice drift” and “thank you Mr Brown.” Thank you Mr Cory!!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Glad you moved to the Pezon, Kurt. Love hearing that it is a game changer. And love that you are taking to yourself and thanking them! Tight lines to you and continued success!

[@1magicfly]

Makes sense, thanks for your quick reply. I'm from PA so everything George Daniel's says is gospel and I watch Troutbitten & Tactical Fly Fisher videos. I now have to include you in this upper group of great teachers because your advice is simple and on the stream practical. I'm so glad I found your channel.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Great company to be it! Appreciate it. PA is my favorite state to fish-just love it there. Glad you found my channel. Thanks so much and tight lines to you.

[@petestevens5816]

Almost gave up Euro Nymphing til I saw this video. Thanks so much

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Glad I got you back in the game, Pete! Keep at it. Good luck to you!

[@RobJones-rm5qd]

What a great video!!! I bought some 4x line, tied the leader the same as you demonstrated, got out a bunch of paper plates and… had to learn to cast again. Swore a bunch and with the tips in the video on casting got it figured out. Fast forward one day and I am on my home blue ribbon special (Provo River, Utah) that sees tons of pressure and a place I commonly avoid. However, I have not tried to euro it. I caught 23 fish up to 25 ish feet away. The fish I caught I was the most proud of was a 2.5 inch fry. Why? Because I saw the sighter twice ever so slightly, set the hook, and dodged the slime rocket sailing at my head. It ate the fly, size 16, and was set free. Biggest was 15” Great times, and can’t thank you enough for the quality content!!!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Awesome to hear, Rob! Love it! You know you are getting dialed in when you see the 2.5 inchers move your sighter-but watching out for flying fish! Congrats on your great day and here’s to many more. Tight lines to you!

[@xam1289]

Cory/Rob - how do you keep the line off of the water at that distance? Some of the rivers in NorCal are wide and wading can be challenging. I can cast the distance but have to float the line to stay in the run or pull the nymph towards me and out of the run. Do they make 14’ Euro rods? lol. Cory-thanks for all the help !!!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

@@xam1289 The farther you cast, the higher you need to hold your rod up. Also, the farther your cast across the stream, the shorter your drift will be. Every drift doesn't need to be 25 ft long. Sometimes it only has to be 5ft. Also, the more you fish straight up stream and back-the longer the drift. All of this depends on the depth of the water. If you are fishing deep water-you simply won't be able to fish farther out because your bugs will come back to you.

[@jorgemerino4709]

Thank you very much, Cory. Another masterclass, as usual with you. I really appreciate all these videos you give us about fishing with nymphs. I have learned, and still do, many things in them.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Very nice of you to say, Jorge! Glad they are helping. Continued success to you!

[@davidcasey9005]

Thank you Cory for doing this video- it’s exactly what I was hoping you would do. I took notes so hopefully I’ll be able to reproduce your setup and maybe catch some fish too.I’m impressed how you reply to all the comments when you have over 5k subscribers.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Glad it helps, David. I appreciate everyone watching and am more than happy to respond to all the questions and try to help. Good luck and tight lines to you!

[@tacticalbeads4040]

Your channel plays like a good book...even better. So much fun for confirmation of gear, as well as discovery into modern approaches. Tight lines again from Montana. All I can say is thank you for your clear and concise efforts. You are over the top for sure...and helping so many people.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Wow...really awesome of you to say, Tactical Beads! Glad it's helping and you are enjoying it, as well. Hope your season in MT has been good to you. Appreciate you watching and tight lines!

[@Littlewildtrout]

Hands down the best video on micro leaders on the internet! Great explanation and demonstration (I could actually see your leader and casting technique). I’ve been slowly working my way to thinner and thinner leaders and this video has convinced me to go even further. Just ordered some 4x Sempe. Keep these great videos coming!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Really appreciate it! Glad it helped. You are going to like the Sempe-casts like a dream. Good luck with it and thanks for watching. Tight lines to you!

[@amillerde]

I have watched this video numerous times, and believe it is second in importance only to your casting video… together they have taken my nymph fishing to another level. Love your tying videos too! Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Awesome of you to say! Really appreciate it. Glad they are helping...Love hearing success. Thanks so much for watching and continued tight lines!

[@deansimpson3231]

You offer a different perspective on micro leaders then I normally hear. Very interesting! Thanks for your great explanation.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Appreciate it, Dean! Glad you liked it. Tight lines to you!

[@gmondragonful]

Thank you very much for this great great information. I started euronymphing this year and my tight lines have quadrupled thanks to you and Mr. Daniels

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Glad to hear it, Gustave! Mr. Daniels is good company to be in. Appreciate you watching and I wish you continued tight lines!

[@snookmcdermott6894]

Cory thanks for the great educational video on euro nymphing Keep those videos coming As always stay safe and tight lines

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Appreciate it, Snook! I'll keep em coming. Tight lines to you as well!

[@steelhead6368]

I'm paying close attention to your cast and it's amazing how you shoot it dead on to your target. You are truly a pro! Thanks again for your leader setup.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Appreciate it, Steelhead! Glad you enjoyed!

[@abeploof9958]

Wow,what a great video with all the details of explaining micro nymphing .Thank you

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Thank you, Abe! Appreciate you watching!

[@danielalva5362]

You’re the man Cory! Thanks for another great tutorial

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Thanks so much, Daniel! Appreciate you watching!

[@gmondragonful]

One point you made that is super important is the detection of strikes visually on the sighter rather than by feel, it is not easy but will be my next level of learning. Thank you Cory

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

That is the moment when things start clicking, Gustave. Keep at it!

[@uni_shadow164]

Nice tips Cory! You make it look easy, and yes, we can see the strikes half the time!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Glad to help, Uni! Appreciate the comment and thanks so much for watching!

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

Hey man! Just found your channel although I've heard of you for a little while. Great video with lots of great info! I'm definitely going more and more toward the micro leaders and loving it big time. Like you said I can go further distances with lighter bugs and connect with fish easily! Most of my rivers are a bit smaller so I fish shorter distances and keep more of a direct feel but the micro leader helps me fish the bigger water more effectively and more by sight than feel, especially at greater distances. I also tend to Euro more in the spring and fall with higher water conditions so heavier bugs are typically my thing but in those lower, more normal, water conditions I think the smaller bugs on the micro leader shine! Keep up the great work and your channel will do really well. You've got a new fan here!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Appreciate it, White Dog! Glad you are embracing the micro leader. I've been following you for a while. Thanks for checking out the channel and appreciate the sub. Hope the season has been good to you and tight lines!

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

@@OldDominionTroutBum I honestly don't get out much... but when I've gotten out I've had great fishing and found some really nice fish! Now our waters are warm so it'll be small streams until fall.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

@@WhiteDogTrailCompany the doldrums of summer trout fishing have set in for sure. Fall will be here before you know it. Love being in the water that time of year!

[@jasongray7447]

Very helpful. I am heading out for a week on that "western Virginia tailwater" and will adopt some of what I've learned here to nymphing on a conventional 5-weight rod, as well as a 12 foot Tenkara rod just for fun. Both your practical knowledge and your presentation skills are exceptional.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Thank you, Jason. Really appreciate the kind words! Have a great trip out there. The Tenkara will be a blast. Tight lines to you!

[@Tjk186]

What an incredibly helpful video Cory...thank you sir :)...and there's some great comments/ tips to be gained within the questions raised and answers you've given too...the Pezon Michel 4X main leader material has made such a difference to my casting in particular...I'm now having a lot more fun since using your complete setup ...and catching more fish on the sighter rather than relying on feeling takes.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Glad it’s helpful, TK! Happy the Pezon setup is working for you. It is fabulous line-purpose built. That’s why I love it. Glad you are out there seeing those strikes! Appreciate you watching, my friend. Cheers to you!

[@williamblair2934]

Cory, Thanks for explaining the dipping of the sighter. I have done that from the start and I have moved away from it due to watching all of the Euronymphing videos. It allows me to calibrate my depth easier. I also catch more fish. Thanks

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Glad it is helpful, William. When you go thin, it's easy to dip. Appreciate you watching. Tight lines to you.

[@davidbole8574]

Another great video and very educational. Thanks for sharing your formula.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Thank you, David! Glad it helped. Tight lines to you!

[@neilmcdaniel]

Great explanation and info. Definitely the next style I’m going to get into.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Thanks so much, Neil. Appreciate you watching and good luck with it!

[@jonhart-dj7fn]

There is so much info here , I keep coming back to review this and get a better understanding after trying different leaders.. standard to micro and the finger on the rod tip position approaching reading the seams pools and more.. thanks Cory this helps alot!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Glad it helps, Jon. Tight lines to you.

[@jonhart-dj7fn]

I winterized my camper on the upper eb Delaware.. it wasn't good although I did manage releasing a few small trout.. no hatches.. it was beautiful weather but glad I'm finally winterized and will still fish but closer to home

[@jonhart-dj7fn]

I might try the espopus for a weekday if like this weather in the weeks ahead but it's a drive.. yet always remember the bruts fall run from reservoir .. it's too far and so different now from decades ago.. very popular for hikers bikers all the way pass the rebuild chimney hole to mouth

[@kabu7073]

Love your videos man, became one of my favorite KZbin channels recently. Appreciate the fly tying and instructional videos, Ive learned a lot.Tight lines!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Thank you, Kabu! Really appreciate you watching. Glad they are helping. Tight lines to you, as well!

[@714spoon]

awesome! thanks for the leader video I am getting into nymphing and leader building and this helps a lot!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Appreciate it, Connor! Glad it helps. Tight lines to you!

[@hunterwilson1622]

Another great video. May have to pull a PA trip out of nothing. Can't hold put til winter after seeing you have so much fun!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Haha. PA is always good for the soul. Thanks for watching, Hunter!

[@nickjackson5360]

Another great video, many thanks. 👍🏼🎣

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Thank you, Nick. Appreciate you watching!

[@denniskwong9458]

Awesome, new to euro-nymphing, learned a lot from your videos.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Great to hear, Dennis. Thanks for watching and good luck to you!

[@galgiodani1896]

Hello! Here a youngster flyfisherman from Slovenia. I watch your videos quite a lot and while I refreshed some things I kind of forgot in the winter I learned quite a lot of something new. Thanks for the tips and names of lines you use because I might just try them this year. Greetings, dries dry, lines tight and fish wet!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Hey Gal. Appreciate you watching the channel. Glad it's been helpful! Hope the season is a great one for you. Tight lines and wet fish to you, as well! Na zdravje!

[@TroutbumofWV]

watching it now, great videos, learning tons!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Glad you are learning, Steve. Good luck to you!

[@chrishoward4546]

Nice work sir !!! Thank you!!!!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Appreciate it, Chris! Thanks for watching!

[@oldsmugglerflyfishing]

Thanks for the tutorial and the tips.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Appreciate you watching, Old Smuggler. Tight lines!

[@graememeikle3841]

Great video. Best one I have come across for visualising takes although I missed the last one!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Thanks, Graeme. Really appreciate it! Tight lines to you!

[@smatthew2454]

I really think your videos on Euro Nymphing are the best KZbin has to offer. If I could go back and ignore all the advice on arc casting and the evils of using a regular tuck cast for Euro, I would have many more fish under my belt. I did order the Pierre Sempe (since the Pezon et Michel is impossible to find in stock,) but I am curious to see how it compares to the Maxima Chameleon 5lb I have been using.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Appreciate the kind words, Smatthew! You get to start the clock over now and that will be a distant past. I think you will really like Sempe. Supple, low stretch, ZERO memory and 4x is thinner than 5lb maxima, yet a stronger pound test. Tight lines to you!

[@scottnock5241]

Excellent Cory!!!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Thank you, Scott. Tight lines, my friend!

[@xam1289]

That makes sense. Thank you Cory. I plan to look for the colored leader line to help me manage the presentation.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Happy to help. Good luck to you.

[@foxchaser21]

what a well informed video, thank you. euro nymphing is as easy as you make it, simple setup and simple casting and the results are shown in this video. agree 100%, the micro leader can be whatever is comfortable for each individual, but it is very important to reduce the sag or bow in the leader from contact point of water column to the tip of rod. the strikes or takes are easily seen with the correct sighter material before the sensitivity, agree 100% with that also. i will be going lighter on the micro liter next outing, from 3x down to 4x, thanks for the great video and your knowledge, keep em coming and tight lines.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Really appreciate it, Fox Chaser. Totally agree, it's as easy as you make it. Good luck with going to 4x. I think you are going to like it. Thanks so much for watching and tight lines to you as well!

[@thomasfrager4763]

Hi Cory, Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. I watched all your videos multiple times and I am enjoying every minute. I tried your leader formula (18 feet yellow .18mm P&M - 5 feet .16mm P&M - .12mm stroft FC1 tippet ) on my Vision Nymphmaniac 10' #3 fly rod and the casting was very difficult. The leader does not stretch while casting light nymphs. You make it look so easy!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Sure thing, Thomas. Appreciate you watching the vids! I am willing to bet that you are rushing your cast. Just S-L-O-W everything down. Wait for the backcast to unfold, then go forward. I have a video on casting, I encourage you to check it out. Go in your backyard and practice with a heavier bug. Get the feel, then go lighter. Good luck to you!

[@petestevens5816]

Caught 10 trout today after watching this video and following this advice. Not perfect but I almost gave up Euro nymphing. Casting, line management and weight management. I still need more casting practice but I’m a believer. Can’t thank you enough.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Love to hear it, Pete! Keep at it and more will come. Tight lines to you!

[@decoydavesmith]

This video is kinda just what I needed at exactly the right time. I have gotten so tired of dealing with Euro flyline and have just been rigging with enough mono to where I'm always holding mono, and it feels and casts so much better. I've been tempted to just take my Euro flylines off and have nothing but mono, but I mostly just keep them buried in the spool lol. So many vids have you rig up like 12 feet total of mono so you have euro flyline coming out of the top guide. I've tried and tried and don't like that, even though I have super smooth transitions from euro flyline to mono leader. This is a GREAT compromise it seems like. I like to rig differently on every trip so I can keep learning. This will be my next rig for sure! Plus this is a little lighter than I have been using and I'll lighten-up too. Will be nice to hand-twist flyline instead of light mono, and probably less chance of getting the line fouled in the reel. THANK YOU for this

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Glad it helps, Dave. Sometimes timing is everything! I would suggest starting the leader out longer, then you can cut it back and find your sweet spot. That’s why I love that micro loop. So easy to do it on the stream. You will definitely find the length that works for you. Good luck with it. Tight lines!

[@MrMichaelpmccormick]

Dave, Glad to see your still around. Haven't see you in a long time... Happy fishing..

[@leighs522]

You just keep hitting home runs with your videos, Cory. I used your system earlier in the week with great success, and have been fooling around with micro leaders (instead of a Mono rig) for some time. It is definitely a tradeoff of specialist vs. generalist approach. The one thing I think you didn't cover enough was the wrapping issue. I did see your response to others, but I find that this system, no matter what I do, is more prone to wrapping around the end of the rod and requiring considerable effort to get things unwrapped. With a fly line and an 8 ft rod, this is an easy problem. with a nearly 11 foot rod and 4x leader, it is very hard to flip things free. I find I need to get to the bank or a rock, put the reel end of the rod down, and work on the tip end to straighten things out. Is it worth it? Definitely. This system is great, but caveat emptor.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Thanks so much, Leighs! Glad it is working for you. Definitely a specialist approach. Honestly, I don’t think that much about the wrapping. Tangles happen when fishing and some days you get none and other days more. It will certainly do it more because of the smaller diameter and suppleness of the line. When it does happen, I do the same thing you do. Put my rod down and unwrap it or just stick my reel in the water and do the same. Appreciate you watching and tight lines to you!

[@blackflycreations]

Thx Cory excellent video! I'm transitioning from a fishing a heavier leader for the last 2yrs down to a micro leader now and this was very helpful! I also have a small youtube where I do all types of Fly Fishing Adventures @blackflycreations and your channel has been very helpful in my journey. Tight lines my friend, Steve

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Hey Steve-Appreciate it! You’ll see that going thinner is going to make a huge difference. Glad my channel has been helpful. And I’ve been of sub of your channel for a while! Thanks for watching and tight lines to you, as well!

[@bentpolski]

Good Morning Cory. Back in The Early 70's I was fortunate to meet a few "Old Timers at The Time" . They taught me Their Method of Fly Fishing. They used 7 1/2 foot for 5/6 wt lines Bamboo Fly Rods {HL Leonards} . They always Rolled cast very rarely overhead. They showed and taught me how to Tight Line Nymph. Their patterns were simple. Hares Ear with and without a wing case with silver tinsel and Amber Australian Opossum nymphs. They fished two flies. The first time I heard of a dropper. Give the Fish a choice. They recommended an Orvis Leader Tying Kit and making my own leaders with Blood Knots. The Leaders were always 12' long, "use the Tip of your Fly Line as Your Strike indicator ". The lighter the tippet the more strikes you will get. You might loose some but you'll have more action. I can't believe that was 50 years ago . When Euro Nymphing came out and became popular Told Folks we were doing that style with Shorter Rods years ago. Great Video

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

That’s awesome, Thomas. My Dad taught me how to trout fish with worms, 2lb test and an 8ft 4wt. We were tight lining worms. Then he moved me from worms to nymphs. I was taught that way before before Euro nymphing was a thing. My fishing just evolved over time. But all the credit goes to my Dad.

[@probags]

I just wanted to say thanks for all the videos on Eruo fishing.I have learned a ton from you. I fish alot of the same rivers. I will fish the Smith next week for 4 days. I also have land on the South Houlston river Tn. Let me know if you ever want to fish it. Thanks again David

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Happy to hear that, David! Good luck on the Smith. It's a great one. And thank you for the invite. What a great river to have a piece of property on! Hope to see you out on the stream someday!

[@hotspotnymphing]

Great video, so much good information! It personally took lot of practice for me to go from thicker to thinner euro leaders, but the thinner leaders are not hard to cast, just a little different. I agree that managing the fly line is a lot easier than the leader. Good day out on the water too!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Appreciate it, Justin! You are correct....practice is all you need, then it becomes second nature. Thanks for watching!

[@sheltonlaurel]

Oops...Cortland! Missed it the first time. Thanks again. Your description is quite thorough.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Glad it is helpful. Tight lines!

[@jameslee4895]

I just returned from an annual week of fishing in Montana. I converted to your micro euro rig leader set up and you were correct - the casting was much easier than I anticipated after watching other you tube channels. I fished for 6 days and I had a double hooked up 6 times! I have never had one double in the 29 years I’ve been fly fishing. Is this a common experience with this micro technique? At any rate I was the only euro fisherman in our group and essentially doubled the takes per outing of my buddies using the traditional indicator technique. Thanks for providing the encouragement to try this more effective method - it made this a trip of a lifetime.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Wow, James, that is fantastic to hear! 6 doubles in a week is beyond amazing! I might average 2 or 3 per year (if that much). It just sounds like you had an incredible week of fishing. Glad the technique is working for you. Love to hear success stories. Congrats on your MT trip and continued success to you!

[@jeromefynaut8177]

Thank you it’s help out a bunch 👍

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Glad it is helpful, Jerome. Tight lines to you.

[@garypeters1441]

Another great video, I think I've learned more from watching your videos and tying flys than from watching( Mordern Nymphing ) lol thanks agian By the way I just picked up a T&T 10'2wt and what a difference in my casting

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Awesome of you to say, Gary! And that is one good stick you got. Appreciate you watching and good luck!

[@jpad610]

Another great tutorial, Cory! Keep up the great content! Where do you typically get your Pezon & Michel Color Line?

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Thank you, Joe! I get it form Riversfly. They are out of Spain. Just email them and they will tell you what to do. It will take a couple of weeks to get it. You can also find it with Pecheur (I think they are out of France)

[@josesfishingchannel6592]

Thanks for taking the time in putting this together. Love watching your vids. What rod are you using with your micro leaders? What rod would you recommend for someone switching to micro leaders for euro nymphing?

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Glad you enjoy, Jose! I use a T&T Contact ll (2wts and 3wts). In this video it was a 10ft 9in 2wt. Not sure of your price range, but most all Euro rods 3wt and under are going to be good with Micro leaders. Hope the helps.

[@countrylivin9963]

Great video subscribed

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Thank you. Much appreciated!

[@dalesheehan9404]

Hey Cory! Myth busting. Very instructional as always,this will surely help people that watch see that micro leaders aren’t as tough to handle as they may have heard. I use a lot of different setups but try to be thin to win. My set up today was 24’ of .008 Cortland Camo to 3’ of .007 tricolor sighter with 7x tippet. You have put out an amazing series of how to videos and it’s greatly appreciated. Tight lines my friend!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Appreciate it, Dale! That’s right, thin to win for sure. That 3x to 4x is a nice setup. That new Cortland tri-color is good stuff. Really like the small black in it. Thanks so much for the support and tight lines to you as well, my friend!

[@haydenshockley4544]

the thing about the micro leader is that the tension difference and pull becomes noticeable because there is no longer pull on the heaviness of floating/sinking line. Its a basically lighter setup and the fish can pull it quicker

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Yes, Hayden, you are right. Take away the heavy fly line and heavier leader and you have a much better connection to you bugs. Thanks for watching.

[@quantumXkyle]

This is awesome. Absolutely love your videos. Do you have a video about how to construct the microleader? Or have one to recommend?

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Appreciate it, qxKyle! The formula is in the description. I use a 7 turn blood knot to attach the main leader and sighter. To attach the main leader to the fly line I use a 16-20 knot. Hope this helps.

[@seads4142]

Thank you Cory. You just answered all questions I had about micro leader .Pezon &Michel is the best leader material I have used so far - thanks to you for that !I really appreciate your explanation on dry dropper and jigging streamer on micro leader. I guess I will have to buy 2 weight rod in order to use 6-7 X tippet . Currently I’m using 11 foot 3weight . Keep them coming- always pleasure to watch your videos.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Happy to help, Sead! And you have to buy a new 2wt, because you can never have enough fly rods! Thanks so much for watching!

[@williamklein6749]

Just watched a couple of your videos. Really like them and appreciate the work it takes to produce one. It looks like the vast amount of your fly fishing is nymphing. How often do you fish drys? I dry fly fish whenever I see a hatch with rising trout. But that's less than 20% of the time so I really appreciate your concentration on nymphing. Thanks again

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Thanks so much, William. You do see me nymphing a lot (which I love) because as you say, most of the time the fish are feeding underneath. I also love casting to rising fish and carry and extra spool with a WF line for dries. So when a hatch pops up, I’m ready to go. Thanks for watching and tight lines!

[@Housecats_customs]

Great video I do the same thing with my tenkara rod.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Nice! Appreciate it, Marc. Thanks for watching.

[@Donde_estoy]

Cory, as I have thinned my leader down to ~3x maxima chameleon and a 4x Amnesia sighter, I have definitely experience the “lazy” wayward placement of my flies. I have also struggled to realign my bugs via backcasts. Sounds like I need to slow down my casting and practice a lot.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Christopher, the best thing you can do is practice in your backyard. Put one bug on, pick a spot in the grass 20 ft away and learn to deliver it to that spot. And you said it, the key is to slow everything down. The rod will do most of the work....you just have to put it in the right place. Watch my video on mastering the cast. I feel like it could help you. Thanks so much for watching and good luck!

[@franklamotta541]

Another gem of a video. Thanks for the great lesson on the micro leader and the different options on materials. There is SO much helpful information in your video. I am trying to get a comfortable set up that works for me and your videos have really shortened the curve for me. I have a couple questions. Do you have separate boxes/rows for each bead sizes? If you had to choose one rod and reel setup, what would it be? Thanks in advance.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Thanks so much, Frank! Glad this and the other videos are helping. On the stream I carry a couple of boxes in my pack (I don’t carry a bunch of stuff. I try to be a minimalist). I have one main nymph box. It’s a Fulling Mill tactical max box. 4 sides. One side will have size 20-18 with 2.3-2.5 beads. The next side, size 16 with 2.3-2.8 beads. The next, size 16 with 3.0-3.3 beads. The last page size 14 with 2.8-3.5 beads. I also have an Orvis slim box that has jigged streamers, stoneflies, mops, and some size 12 bugs. Lastly I carry a small umpqua box with dries (only dries that would be hatching at that time). I have other boxes that I don’t carry with me, so I will refill in the holes of my fishing boxes before I hit the stream the next time I go. Also, if I could only have one rod, it would be a 10ft 3 weight. It can fish both small and large streams. I am a fan of T&T, but there are other goods ones out there. For reels I like Ross and Galvan. Hope this helps.

[@franklamotta541]

Thanks for the info Cory. I might sell a couple of my rods to get a T&T. I'm also going to look into the reel you suggested. Thanks for the tips on your fly box set up. I really appreciate your reply.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Anytime, Frank. Happy to help.

[@troutstrike318]

Hey Cory! Another great video! I was surprised by a few rainbows the last time I was on Penns too. I notice you are using fluorocarbon for the butt section of your micro leader. I've only ever used mono. Do you find that to be a big difference?

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Appreciate it, Jeff! 2 of the rainbows I got were wild and one was stocked. There are a few wilds out there. The stocked ones come in from the few tribs that are stocked near Poe Paddy. I don’t use fluoro for my butt section. It’s 4x Pezon & Michel Color Line. I do, however use fluoro for my tippet. Hope this clears it up. Thanks for watching!

[@grahamalexander1165]

Cory, you mention Pezon and Michel color line for your butt section of your micro leader, I’m guessing the part connecting to the euro nymph fly line tiny loop you whipped? You also mention that you can pick out this PM line immediately after a cast, but what color do you use out of the PM range please? The ‘sighter’ you use, is that PM color line in a slightly smaller diameter and again is the sighter made up of several colours joined together? If so what knots do you use please? Sorry for the dumb questions and maybe there’s a video showing the sighter make up? Your the man by the way! Absolutely stunning fishing!

[@Mouafishingthings]

16:17 time stamp shows a really good angle of the sighter actually jumping! 😎

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Glad you could see it! Appreciate you watching!

[@sheltonlaurel]

Love your videos, Cory!! Have dry fly fished since I was a boy but never felt connected to my bugs when nymphing. Your Euro technique with a micro leader is an absolute game changer, but sometimes my 7X tippet breaks too easily on the 1 mm tippet rings that I have. What brand tippet rings do you use?

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Thanks Kenneth! Glad it had been helpful. Continued success to you and tight lines!

[@anthonybilenki791]

Cory, Good tips wrt reconfiguring my nymphing lines. My euro line is heavier than 4x. Had planned to lengthen my sighter and my tippet is usually3’-4’. Your rod seems to have a lot of whip in it. What size is it? I use an Orvis 10’ 3 wt. Clearwater. My formula is from an Orvis guide I’ve fished with for a couple years. It seems that the techniques continue to change. Good video. Best, Tony

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Tony, I was fishing a T&T Contact ll 10ft 9in 2wt. Casts light leaders and bugs like a dream. Techniques evolve over time and formulas that were used a couple of years ago are old school. Even in Devin Olsen’s book, he discusses his micro-leader. By the time the book hit the market, he had already changed his micro leader formula. Thanks so much for watching!

[@davidgross6903]

Thank you for your awesome videos and informative articles. My fishing success has increased dramatically since I have applied what I have learned from your instructional materials. I would like to ask what method of connection and or knot do you use to connect your mono rig leader to your euro nymphing line? And, are you using mono core or braided core euro nymphing line? Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Hey David. Appreciate you watching and glad the videos are helpful. I use Airflo braided core. I whip finish and small loop that is the size of a size 8 streamer hook (I use the hook as the loop gauge). Hope this helps.

[@jimvaughan8894]

Cory, Watching this video for about the 3rd time--ALWAYS pick up something new! Thanks so much. Between yourself and Scott at PA WOODS N WATER, I have received a lifetime of knowledge and have massively improved. One question---you point out the 3-31/2 feet of tippet you prefer. When you fish larger steams, like the Delaware West Branch which actually has a lot of shallow (2-3') stretches, but also not uncommon 5' even 6' holes, do you prefer to extend your tippet or just sink your sighter for the occasional deeper holes? thanks again!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Thank you, Jim. Scott is a great guy, btw. As nice in person as he is in his videos. If I’m on the WB fishing the shallower areas (2-3ft)- I’ll have about 3-4 ft of tippet. Then when I come to those deeper holes, I’ll just dunk my sighter. Especially since the WB doesn’t really have super heavy pocket water. Most of it is very consistent. The closer you have the sighter to the water, the better. You will see so much more. Hope this helps. Thanks so much for watching!

[@Jasonfeezi]

Hi Cory, Thank you your detailed instruction. I have learned more from your videos than most of the books i have read regarding euro style tight line nymphing. I have a question for you. Apologies if you have already explained this. When you encounter gusty or windy days, do you stay with the .18/.16 micro leader or do you increase the size of your leader. I had a disastrous day trying to cast the micro leader over the weekend with some decent wind. I am trying to figure out what size of leader to try next time this happens.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Hey Jason. Glad the videos have been helpful. Nice of you to say! You need to battle the wind by using more weight. If you make your leader thicker, it actually hurts you. Once your bugs hit the water, the wind will catch your thicker leader more easily and act like a sail. A thinner leader diminishes than effect. If you watch my Madison River video, I was fishing in 15-20 mph winds all day (with harder gusts), All I did was keep adjusting my weight up when the wind started kicking. Hope this helps. Good luck to you.

[@PiscatorUK-Fishing]

Hi Cory, many thanks for your informative video. I’m really just getting started in euro nymphing and your videos are just awesome. A question about the mono leader you use, do you need to do anything special to take the coil memory out the line? I recently bought a specific French leader and the coil memory will not come out. Thanks again👍

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Hey Piscator...appreciate you watching and thank you for the compliment. The leader material I use has Zero memory. No coils what so ever. Pezon & Michel or Sempe is great stuff. It comes off straight as an arrow. If you are having memory, the best way to get the coils out is the hold one end from the top and work 2 feet at a time. Slide your hand down (without burning it) stop at 2 feet and stretch it (just a good slow tug should do). Keep doing that all the way down 24 inches at a time. This usually is all you need to do. If it doesn't, then I would look for other material. Super important to have straight leader material. Hope this helps.

[@PiscatorUK-Fishing]

@@OldDominionTroutBum much appreciated for your reply, I have tried what you suggested without much success. I will look for an alternative material, thank you sir👍

[@edrose4583]

Thanks for this video/information. Will use your formula for next season. Also looking for a better nymphing rod - do you prefer the 2 or 3 wt Contact for the type of water in this video? Thanks

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Appreciate you watching, Ed. You will like this formula. I prefer a 2wt for this type of water. The one I was using here was the 10ft 9in 2wt.

[@brettlong8041]

Great Video. How about some tips on deep "heavy" water. In my local river the trout are usually 9 feet or deeper. I usually use heavy stone fly nymphs, just to get them down, sometimes a double rig with 2 stone flies. The Sierras are a whole other ball game.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Thanks Brett! In Deep, heavy water using a tight lining method is tough since you can only fish water that deep under the rod. I would use an indicator to enable you to fish more water. I like stones but, you may want to try heavier, thinner flies to get down quicker. Another tactic I like is jigging streamers through deep runs. You can cast and hop it through and work all of it. Hope this helps.

[@jimmyharvell4021]

Videos offer alot of information very helpful. On the air flo is it DT or level.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Glad they help, Jimmy. The Airflo is a level line. Appreciate you watching.

[@DaleSmith-gx2sy]

Cory, Thank you for putting out this video. Very good information, Question: What rod weight and type of rod are you using?

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Appreciate it, Dale. My rod is a T&T Contact ll 10ft 9in 2wt. Thanks so much for watching.

[@rudisouth]

Thank you for posting all of your videos and sharing your knowledge. I’ve been following you for quite a while now, and I’ve enjoyed your videos and benefited from the greatly. I recently switched over to Sempi mono and I’ve noticed that there is a tremendous amount of stretch in the line. Is this normal? Once again, thank you for all of your wisdom.

[@rudisouth]

I meant micro not mono.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Appreciate you watching, Dan. Glad you enjoy the channel and it’s been helping. You actually do want the stretch in the Sempe. That, along with the euro rod, helps in protecting lighter tippet. You are able to put some serious pressure on fish when using 6 and 7x.

[@Utahlonghorn]

Great video I really struggle casting a micro leader. I fish the South Fork of the Snake river in Idaho mostly, which is pretty big water and is much deeper in the troughs where the fish like to hold. Would you still keep your tippet at that 3 ft length and just sink your sighter deeper?

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Thanks, Lee! I have a video on casting that could help you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXrHhqaId554iLs It very well may be that your aren’t waiting long enough on your backcast. That’s usually the culprit when it comes to the struggles with casting. Just wait until it almost feels like you have waited too long…let the backcast unfold. If you have constant depths that are deeper, I would have a longer tippet section of maybe 4 1/2-5 ft. That will definitely help you get it down easier. Hope this helps. Tight lines to you.

[@isaacanderson5264]

Nailed it!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Appreciate it, Isaac!

[@jh9701]

Great vid Cory! Have been using he Sempe 4x this year and have been slaying it on the water. Curious to know what about the Pezon & Michel you think is advantageous over the Sempe. I'm trying to figure out if it's worth going through the hassle of buying something overseas and waiting the weeks to get it. Thanks for your thoughts!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

JH, Sempe is great stuff and it is my second favorite. I believe Pezon is a little more slick and slides through the guides nicer, therefore casts better. Also, Pezon's colors are more vibrant and just pop for me. Sempe's are a little dull. Hope this helps. Thanks so much for watching.

[@amermulic1314]

Thank for doing this great video. I just got the Pezon & Michel line that you mentioned. Very very nice indeed :). What knot would you recommend for connecting the sighter and the leader? The line is thin and very smooth.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

You are really going to like the Pezon. I do a 7 turn blood knot to connect them. Appreciate you watching and good luck to you!

[@amermulic1314]

@@OldDominionTroutBum Thank you so much.

[@xam1289]

Cory Your videos are so helpful-thank you. My eye sight is not that great so I feel all fish takes. I do try to set every time I see a change or pause in my sighter. Never once have I discovered a fish on at the time. Keep in mind this is only my 2nd year tight lining. Does it just take years and years of fishing to understand the feel between a creek bottom and a take?

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Glad they are helpful, Edge. It doesn't take years-although it is like anything else, the more you do it, then better you will get. Once you get your casting down and start transitioning smoothly to a tight sighter-the next step is picking up all those subtle movements when the trout strikes. I will say, the heavier your bugs are, the tighter you are to them-which translates into al ot of "felt" strikes.

[@wildrosebill]

I’m really enjoying watching your videos Cory and am learning a lot. You explain and illustrate things very clearly. I have a question on how you rig your flies to the tippet. If I missed a video you have on that please let me know where to find it. Do you always fish two flies? I’ve been fishing one fly mostly to avoid tangles. I just keep changing flies to find the one that is working best. What do you feel the pros and cons are of multi-fly rigs are? Thanks. Bill

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Glad you are enjoying them, Bill. Appreciate the comment. I do have a video on how to make a double surgeon's knot for a dropper tag (the easiest way to do it). I attach my flies to my tippet with a Davy Knot. I don't always use two flies. I'll use a single if it is real shallow water or in pocket water with complicated currents. Also, in the winter I may use a single bug if they are hard on the bottom. The pro is you are fishing 2 distinct columns in the water. If fish are up in the column, they will hit the second fly. That's the big reason. There are days when I have caught almost all of my fish on the top dropper because the fish were up in the column. The cons would be fishing in complicated currents where one fly lands in one seam and the other hits in another-this will make the flies pull on each other and give you a bad drift. There is nothing wrong with fishing only one fly, but my suggestion if you want to use two is make your dropper tag 3-4 inches. You will not get tangles this way. I am positive your tangles are due to your dropper being to long. You will see, especially in medium currents in nice runs, with a little depth, how many fish you'll pick up on your top dropper. Hope this helps and tight lines!

[@wildrosebill]

@@OldDominionTroutBum thanks for the response Cory. Very helpful information. I ordered some Pezon Michel colored line. Can’t wait to give it a try.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Anytime Bill. I’m sure you are going to like the Pezon.

[@wvlongshooter3912]

Great content as always !! I really like the Cortland 1 mm tippet rings. I’m enjoying the T&T contact 2. The Ross evolution ltx is one tight reel. Thanks for answering my questions about these products!! I totally agree on it’s easy to cast a micro leader and especially easier when it’s very windy. I don’t understand why even some of the top guys talk about the difficulty of casting the micro leader. Thanks!!!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Appreciate it, WV LS! Glad your rig is working out for you. It’s a great one! It is a huge pet peeve of mine about how they talk about the difficulties. It’s a head scratcher for me. Thanks so much for watching and tight lines!

[@Morgs914]

Cory, great vid of course as always. A few quick questions. I fished the Troutbitten mono rig from the start of my tightline ‘journey’ but found it hard to cast well and didn’t like the coiling plus too many segments when I got a big fish on with blood knots going through the guides. I finally spooled them back up and they’re in my pack. I essentially put on a bastardized/made up micro-leader with no real formula: ~15’ +\- of 3x fluoro to a 3’ section of SA 4x colored colored fluoro as a sighter, tippet ring then regular tippet between 3’ to 5’ of either 4x or 5x depending on the water type/depth. Killed it some days, couldn’t buy a strike others which could’ve been for many reasons although I do know when I winged it with no formula I did see different success with distance casts. That being said I’m going to try this so it’s not like a random drive-by every time I build a leader. My Q’s: 1- Why the colored Pezon (Sempe) if you’re building to a colored sighter anyway, why not just 3 or 4x tippet? Do those products offer anything other than additional color vs. regular tippet of the same diameter? And do you know if those products differ from the SA colored fluorocarbon of various widths? 2- I am in Europe now and can’t find the Pezon over here so going to order the Sempe from Tactical Fly but there are several Sempe products ; I’m not sure which one you’re recommending? 3- Also I bought Airflow Euro line a while ago but still have regular weight forward flyline on my Sage ESN reel- when a hatch starts I sometimes swap out leaders, put my nymphing leader on an empty spool then switch back after the hatch/rises stopped & resume nymphing. I haven’t changed the AirFlo/Regular fly line out yet, …. what does the level euro line do for you if it never really comes off the spool? I know the lower diameter helps with sag etc, but with ~25’ of microleader, I don’t see what it accomplishes unless it’s off the spool. I’m not ‘dug in’ on anything but having an understanding of why changing particular aspects and the logic & reducing what I carry (extra spool or reel) economizes space. If there’s an appreciable difference I’m missing, I’ll carry anything! One last thing, if anyone is even reading this other than you. Dominic’s backing barrel from Troutbitten is a great tool. It slides easily without any effect on the fluoro, is very visible and is phenomenal especially just below a dry fly tag allowing you to change the depth of a dropper by moving the backing barrel and dry tag just above it. Super easy to build and essentially free with spare backing. It’s on his site. Just thought I’d share because there are so many approaches out there, it’s nice finding something that’s been ‘flight tested’ by someone other than whomever is plugging the idea. Tight lines and thanks in advance.

[@Morgs914]

Oh and one other suggestion for your outstanding videos. If you could somehow incorporate some footage of your casting techniques from a few different angles other than just your GoPro, I think it might help a little bit because like all people who have come to master something that is challenging, they make it look very easy even though it takes years of practice to perfect. I don’t know if that would help others but there have been several times when I watch your videos and thought a 3rd person view would help. You did a tiny segment in one video when you were in a yard or park but it’s before you put these more extensive and recent tutorials up. Cheers & Semper Fi to your dad!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

TM, sorry it's taken so long to reply. I'll answer your questions in order. 1. The reason I like Pezon (or Sempe) in a color is because sometimes based on the lighting/glare, your sighter can be difficult to see. I can quickly glance at my rod tip and follow my colored leader right down to the sighter. This takes a split second. Sometimes if you can't see the sighter you can pick up movements in the leader itself because the line is so supple (which is a big reason I'm not a fan of Maxima...it's too stiff for my liking). Another reason I like Pezon or Sempe is because it has low stretch. The other sighter materials (Rio, Cortland, SA, etc...). Those other lines stretch too much for a main leader and you will actually see it after a half a day fishing. Pezon or Sempe never does that. 2. You can order Pezon from Riversfly out of Spain. Both Pezon and Sempe are engineered the same way, but to me Pezon's colors "pop" more for me and don't fade out from the sun. I will use Sempe for the main leader but go to another sighter material because the colors are a little too dull in small diameters. Pezon is always my first choice, Sempe second. (but you may see Sempe better than I do.) 3. I like using a euro line for managing my line. It does come off my reel on every cast, even at say, a 20 foot cast. As a matter of fact on every cast, I will always strip my line out until the fly line is in my hand. It may not be up to my first guide on a 20 foot cast, but it's the first thing I grab when I start to manage. If your hands are wet or if it's cold, mono (especially small diameters) is hard to feel and will stick to your hand like a spider web...fly line won't do that. I am aware of Dom's backing barrel, but it doesn't fit my style as I can still see fine and don't want an extra weight on my sighter. There may be a day I have to move to it to see it, but for now I like the "lightness" of my micro sighter. Hope this helps and thanks so much for watching!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Thank you for the compliment! Honestly TM, I don't have a camera crew or any extensive camera equipment (at least not now). It's just me a a GoPro going unscripted. With that, I just try to help the best way I can. Who know what the future holds though! Cheers to you and I will tell my Dad, Semper Fi! Really appreciate the support. Tight lines!

[@Morgs914]

Cory, Don’t be ridiculous on the speed of any reply. You’ve got over 200 comments here and I have no expectations so I appreciate the reply. I figured the secondary color was the reason & all the other answers on my q’s are helpful. And yes I could see the backing barrel being weighty on a micro leader. I really only use it for dry droppers to adjust the length once in a while but it might fit well for someone’s bag of tricks here who’s gobbling up info. Not in Spain on this work trip or I’d have hunted it down in Madrid or Valencia. I’m going to try the Sempe and can always swap out if I find it hard to see. Anyway, the yearly fishing trek with my bro, who lives out west, is on some smaller water in Idaho starting next week: Big Lost, Big Wood, Silver Creek and then either back to South Fork Boise or my bro’s home water the Provo. I’ll give it a go & thanks again for your knowledge. The camera thing just an idea & if you’re not getting gear from sponsors yet I’m sure soon enough someone will take notice. Tight lines & see you on the water!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

@@Morgs914 Nice of you to say, TM. Your upcoming trip sounds fantastic! Tight lines with your brother!

[@andreweby]

Cory, I've slowly thinned my leader out starting at maxima chameleon and I'm now using .18mm Pierre Sempe. I really like all the benefits and certainly catch fish but my one gripe is it tends to wrap around the rod tip easily. Do you experience this issue or have any tips for this? The vids have helped a ton with my tying and fishing so thank you.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Glad the videos have been helping out, Andrew. Happy to hear you are liking the thinner leader. Because the line is so supple and not stiff like maxima, things will be magnified….so it can certainly tangle. In my experience, it’s the quick or jerky movements that will cause it to wrap or tangle. If you slow everything down and keep it smooth, you will alleviate the problem. Hope this helps.

[@donaldnorman9515]

Great video and well presented. How do you deal with single midge (size 20 +\-) on this rig?

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Thank you, Donald! I fish size 20 midges with a 2.3 bead all the time. It casts easily. Tight lines to you.

[@ph2738]

Red’s Fly Shop recommends a long tippet, like 6 feet, but like you I don’t go that long. But I’m fishing bigger water, the Deschutes, OR, so I don’t go as short as 3 feet. I also usually fish 5x fluoro tippet because I break off too many 16 to 20 inch energetic redsides if I use anything smaller. Last year, I accidentally caught a steelhead on my 3 wt. Echo.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Paul, I’m not sure Red’s uses a micro leader so you would need your tippet to be longer. That’s the beauty about the micro, it can be shorter. I fish big water on the East Coast like the Delaware River. Very comparable to large western rivers. Big water…strong, heavy currents and hard fighting rainbows. I will use 6x there and have pulled in some large fish, but I’ll always give myself the option to go to 5x if need be. In this water I’ll use a 4x sighter. Thanks so much for watching and tight lines!

[@jerryhebert8991]

Thank you for all your hard work to pass along valuable information on Euro nymphing. The information has been very helpful for teaching an old dog some new tricks. I have developed a list of adjustments to my leader set up to gradually work me from my current set up to a micro leader. I have seen an improvement in a number of things as I make my adjustments, learning as I go. However, I have one irritating problem that I have not seen discussed in your videos or those of others. My dropper fly continually wraps around my main line forcing me to stop periodically to unwind the fly so it has full freedom of movement. What am I doing wrong?

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Appreciate it, Jerry! Glad it’s helping. The reason that your dropper is wrapping around your main leader is because it is too long. Keep you dropper no more than 4 inches. Your problem will be solved. Hope this helps. Tight lines to you!

[@jerryhebert8991]

@@OldDominionTroutBum Thank you I'll try keeping my dropper line shorter. Curiosity question, how long did it take you to earn your doctorate in Euro nymphing with a minor in fly Tying? Certainly, seems like you are the Professor!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Hahaha! I’ve been going to school all my life for it, Jerry! Been fly fishing since I was 8. Tying since then as well. My Dad taught me and I dove in head first and wanted to know and learn everything I could!

[@MrBobeliminator]

Hi Cory, really appreciate your videos, it has helped me improve my technique a lot! I wanted to let you know that I caught my personnel best on my local river in burgundy after switching to your micro leader recipe. I had a question for you, I often find my self in tight spots with no back cast room so I end up lobbing flies instead of casting. Would you have a video or technique that you could recommend for this type of situation? thanks for all the great content!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

That is awesome, Michael! Congrats! If you watch my "5 things to learn" video....I talk about casting in different situations. I would suggest the water load when you don't have any backcasting room. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYHQlHSQj9KZY5I Hope this helps and tight lines to you.

[@MrBobeliminator]

@@OldDominionTroutBum Thank a lot! I'll watch it !

[@Moldyashton]

Hey Cory, i absolutely love this video and the leader setup. I have been using it for a few weeks now and have probably tripled my catch rate. However I am having a problem and I've tried watching this video a few times if you answered it or not but I am getting a decent amount of pullback it seems like. It seems like my flies want to stay right under the rod tip. It might have something to do with the rivers finally coming down after the floods recently, however i was wondering if you had any tips that might help me fix my problem?

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Glad you are finding success with it! My guess without seeing it, is you are casting up and across the stream. If you are casting across and outside one-rod length from you, your flies will start tracking across and back to you. If you cast outside one-rod length, you can only have shorter drifts that will stay in your lane. Hope this makes sense. I'll be addressing this in an upcoming video.

[@Sasaamann]

Hey Cory, thanks for the instruction, like always - on spot! I use the same micro leader, love it. How your leader looks thicker on the video, especially on connection with the Airflo Euronymph fly line. 😂 Basically I have same fly line 0.60 and 0.18 Pezon connected on the fly line and it's big difference in diameter. On your video it looks like you're using 0.25 leader, and 0.14 tipet, so weird... 😂😂

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Haha. It is the camera that makes it look larger. Sometimes I even think the same thing when in look at 7x on camera-yet I can barely see it when fishing! Glad the setup is working for you. Appreciate you watching. Tight lines to you!

[@njtrout]

Great video man. Did you ever use the green and yellow bi color Pezon and michel color instead of the pink and white

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Appreciate it! I don’t use it because I see pink really well at the surface. But I have buddies that love the green/yellow. It’s really what works best for your eyes. Thanks so much for watching.

[@rjf1877]

Cory, thanks for the great video. If you wanted to be able to switch over to a small (#18) dry/dropper, what leader set would you use? I have a 10-9 t&t 3wt and I'm thinking of putting a 3wt DT line on and would like to be able to use one leader set up for nymphing and the occasional dry/dropper. I really appreciate your work, thanks. Bob

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Appreciate it, Bob. I throw dry-dropper all the time with a micro leader. You can cast a cdc fly like my High-n-Dry and a 2.3 easily with it. It's great for closer work. If you want to be able to cast farther-you certainly can put a DT line on. I actually use a DT 2wt and sometimes and DT 1wt for my T&Ts. They cast really well when you underline because of the light tips of the rod. I've have throw dries easily with a DT 1wt on my T&T 10'9" 3wt. Good luck to you. (I carry and extra spool-so I can switch)

[@rjf1877]

Thanks Cory, I really enjoy your videos. I was wondering if when you switch the micro set up to a dry/dropper, do you change out your sighter/ tippet set up or do you keep the sighter and add the dry to a dropper tag ?

[@opnwideplease]

Cory, I'm really digging your military-style watch and watch band. Do you mind if I ask the brand? (Also, you're advancing my Euro game big time!) Thanks!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Appreciate it! It’s an Orvis Field watch. I wear the heck out of it and love it. I have had it a couple of years (not sure if they still make it) Glad the videos are helping out as well. Tight lines to you!

[@thomascooper6679]

I finally understand your leader formula now, but what about the business end ? what is your preferred method to attach your 2 or 3 flies ? Can you please describe that or if you have that covered in another video can you direct us there? Thanks again.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Thomas, here is a video I did on how I tie on the dropper: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5i8Xn6nnJachtE I only use 2 flies and many times I'll only use 1. I'll tie my tippet to my tippet ring with a 16-20 knot and I use a Davy knot to my flies. Hope this helps.

[@stephencifka4629]

18 ft of 4x leader, 5 ft of 5x sighter, 6X tippet. Great recipe. Love the way your rod loads and the flies turn over.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

That’s it, Stephen! Appreciate the compliment. Tight lines.

[@AyrshireAlps]

@@OldDominionTroutBum Cory, sorry, I'm pretty green at this, 18' of mono? Then 5' of sighter, and tippet to suit water depth? I need to try this, I've tried with standard cortland fly line, and the leader, but get lots of issues with the weight of the fly line coming back through the eyes of the rod. Your videos are awesome, and I'm so jealous of that river!.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Greg, that’s what happens with traditional fly line. It’s sags too much and the weight wants to pull back. If you make you leaders much longer it will eliminate that problem. Appreciate the comment and thanks for watching! That river is one of my favs!

[@AyrshireAlps]

@@OldDominionTroutBum Yeah, that's what I've been finding. Got a spool of 20lb chameleon to try out, what's your preferred method of fly line to mono connection?. I usually use a snell/nail knot, but 20lb is pretty bulky!.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

@@AyrshireAlps Greg , in the video I talk about my connection. I make a small loop in the fly line, then tie my leader to it with a 16-20 knot. If you are using 20#, I would suggest putting around 30ft or so on and not worry about your fly line. The knot will be definitely be too bulky. Hope this helps.

[@JackPultorak]

Cory, Is that .18 mm (4X) Pezon & Michel or Sempe as an alternative nylon or fluorocarbon? It seems your description says that it is fluoro but I didn't see it in fluorocarbon...Thanks and great video.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Jack, the .18mm is Pezon & Michel mono (the fluoro was for fluorescent green or yellow) and my tippet is Cortland Ultra Prem Fluorocarbon. Hope this helps and appreciate you watching!

[@DancesWithFlies]

Great advice and encouragement as always. I’ve learned so much from your videos and am now enjoying regular success. Micro leaders are the next rung up the ladder. Many of the streams I fish are narrow(10 - 20 feet wide commonly) so quite different than the water in many video tutorials (including Penns, for example). Could you at some point offer some insights into tactics where the presentation is more directly upstream and not so laterally parallel? Any suggestions would be welcome. Thanks - and keep up the great work!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Thank you, Tim! Glad to hear that they are helping and you are finding success. I'll make sure that I put some examples in future videos. In the meantime...when fishing upstream and back to you, make sure you are doing a tuck cast and immediately getting tight to your sighter. You then want to elevate your rod as the drift comes back to you. working a little of the slack with your non-rod hand but more of it by elevating the rod. If you look at 6:05 and 22:25, you see me do this a little. Hope this helps and tight lines to you!

[@jp410]

I had heard repeatedly that casting gets increasingly difficult as you go lighter. As I went lighter over the last few years, with careful attention to technique, it actually seemed to get a bit easier. I was therefore sure I must be doing something wrong. Funny. Your initial comments therefore made me smile. Great video, thank you. Brilliant illustrations of sighter movement on the take. I notice you don't often flex the rod back at as much of an angle as I do when you have a fish. I usually go for a basically 90-degree angle (or more) between fish and rod butt, whereas you keep a softer bend in the rod. What's your thinking there? And one more question I have to ask, though you've already been so generous in your video work and in your comment responses. How might your approach/rigging change in the more rugged, rushing types of water you might encounter in Northern California? I might get a decent wild rainbow in a 4-ft deep faster section, with relatively large-volume flow compared to PA streams, and if the fish goes downstream (or if it's already downstream because that's my only angle from which to fish the spot), then I'm a bit at the mercy of all that water pushing against a fat 16-inch fish. These are situations where repositioning oneself during a fight isn't tenable, because of treacherous wading conditions. Would love to hear your take on it.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

JP, the micro leader being difficult to cast is one of the most overused statements in Euro Nymphing. Glad you are seeing that. When fighting, you really don't want to go 90 degrees or more, because you end up putting a lot of strain on just the upper 1/3 of the rod. If you keep it less than 90, you will use the whole rod when fighting...the tip will flex to protect the tippet and the bottom portion will come into play to fight the fish. Hope this helps. If you watching my recent Madison River video-you will see how I fought those fish (which were a larger average size than PA). This water is I'm sure very close to your No. Cal rivers. Lots of volume and heavy current. Sometimes you can't chase them, so you just have to immediately turn your rod upstream (or down/side to steer them to the bank)and keep it low-parallel to the water. Use the whole rod and get a full flex. You would be surprised how you can turn some big fish and get them to come upstream. I also have a video on the East Branch Delaware which is similar in volume and current. You will see how I fight some larger fish there as well. Hope this helps. Thanks so much for watching.

[@dustinnedohin3817]

@@OldDominionTroutBum @jp410 what weight rod do you use? does weight matter for the set up? I have a 10ft 4wt

[@patrickduffy4646]

Love the videos was wondering if you change up when fishing the Delaware

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Thanks Patrick. The only thing I change is my sighter to 4x. The same diameter as the main leader. I did I video on the Del and caught a lot of really nice fish with that set up.

[@patrickduffy4646]

Made up a Mico leader love it not only seeing the hits but feeling them also ,just need to work on Hook set snapped a few off. Thanks again

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

@@patrickduffy4646 Glad to hear it, Patrick! Your hook set will come. Continued success to you!

[@michaelmckenna14]

Finally someone else saying that rod sensitivity or feel is overrated, yeh feeling the take is fine for beginners but every time i think "was that a take ?" i have probably just missed another fish while thinking that.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Appreciate it, Michael! And you are absolutely correct…Rod sensitivity is nice, but that doesn’t help you see the strikes. Thanks for watching!

[@michaelmckenna14]

@@OldDominionTroutBum no problem mate, ur a great example of Spanish nymphing. I think alot of people use overall sensitivity as a crutch, the best fish I've found are the ones u don't feel take the fly.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

@@michaelmckenna14 nice of you to say, Michael. Couldn’t agree more about feel being a crutch. It is amazing how the big fish have the most subtle takes. Tight lines.