The MICRO LEADER: Taking EURO NYMPHING to another level

[@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!

[@KurtPeterson-w9j]

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.

[@MarkRochefort-yk9xk]

All your tips are proven spot on. I have learned more from your videos than any others on Euro nymphing. Well done.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Thank you, Mark. Glad the channel has been helpful. Continued success to you and tight lines!

[@johnmoore3924]

In my opinion, probably the best euro nymphing video out there when it comes to micro leaders . Very informative and great video !!👍🏻👍🏻

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Thank you, John! Appreciate it. Tight lines to you and thanks for watching!

[@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!

[@Edgemoore7]

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]

@@Edgemoore7 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.

[@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!

[@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!

[@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!

[@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.

[@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!

[@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!

[@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!

[@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!

[@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!

[@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!

[@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

[@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..

[@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!

[@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!

[@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!

[@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!

[@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!

[@wolflaslc]

I have been watching your videos for a while and am so impressed with your depth of knowledge and your ability to teach and they have helped me considerably to be a better fly fisherman--even at age 67 you can teach an old dog new tricks. Several questions: 1. What are the largest hooks/beads you use with the ultralight setup and perhaps comment if it varies if you are using one or two flies? 2. As a fellow cigar smoker, what do you smoke on the river (ha, ha)

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Appreciate it, Laurence! Nice of you to say. Glad the channel is helpful. The largest hook size I'll use on a nymph is size 12 with a 3.8mm bead (or 4mm). I don't have rows and rows of them, but I'll need them in super heavy water or windy conditions. Most "heavy" patterns are size 14 and 12s with 3.3mm beads. I like a smooth Dominican for the river. Usually a JR alternative. I need my smoke to be able to take on some water and not get bummed about it! Thanks so much for watching and tight lines!

[@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!

[@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!

[@lawrencew2366]

You are the man!…great video…

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Appreciate it, Lawrence! Thanks for watching.

[@Edgemoore7]

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.

[@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!

[@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!

[@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.

[@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!

[@danielalva5362]

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

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Thanks so much, Daniel! 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!

[@abeploof9958]

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

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Thank you, Abe! Appreciate you watching!

[@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!

[@rjf1877]

Great video Corey, I've been Euro nymphing for about 3 yrs and after watching your videos I realized that I was lobbing the line and not casting it. I changed my set up to your Micro Leader formula and was having a terrible time until I followed you suggestion and revisited you casting video. I was so used to using a circular lob that I didn't appreciate how well engineered the new Euro rods are and that I could actually load the rod with just the weight of the fly. I use the same rod as you, so I knew I just had to trust it and get a new feel for the loading. What a great surprise ! Just like you said, with a little work you can get the same feel you have with a standard fly line load. Thanks very much. One question, other than the extended reach it gives you, is there a functional reason for moving the casting hand forward ? Keep up the Good Work !!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Thank you, RJF. Glad the casting video has helped and you are taking advantage of the design of the rod (and getting rid of the oval). If I understand you correctly. I am thinking you are talking about how I slide my hand forward on my cast? In my casting video, I talk about it…it allows you to pick up more distance without stripping more line out (approximately 3ft or so). Hope this helps. Thanks for commenting and watching.

[@TroutbumofWV]

watching it now, great videos, learning tons!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

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

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

Hey Sir. I’ve been trying to improve my nymphing technique for the better part of 3 years. Yet I clearly see that it’s (so far) impossible to get a straight, drift for more than about 10-15 feet directly in front of me. And only direct below my rod tip, I have tried more than 5 completely different setups, each with different sizes of tippet. What I find always happens (because of how physics works) the fly is always trying to equalize all forces on it and this makes it always drift across current lanes in different speeds depending upon the water speed, depth, my fly weight and type, and my tippet size and where the fly is in relation to my rod tip. I do not know how to make the fly stay at the right depth, in the intended current lanes, at the right speed and in a straight line down that current lanes. It always drifts towards my rod tip. And this also doesn’t cover my final and biggest problem of the fish not eating because it can see me. Because of these (so far) insurmountable obstacles I find that euro nymphing is falling way behind, and often I drop it altogether and use a drop shot rig, which has none of these problems (it has its own) and produces 10x more fish in the same amount of time fishing. Can you do a video on this? Thank you.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Hey Halfnsane. I have done a video on this. I think it will clear up some things for you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaeZd2Wkd9Z4idUsi=7iCL56k-rWAi94_K But know that the same principles apply whether you are euro nymphing or drop-shotting. You are still trying to get a good drift. It shouldn't matter if the weight is in your flies or split-shot. Hope this helps. Keep at it and good luck-it will come to you.

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

@OldDominionTroutBum ill check it out. The difference as I see it is in a splitshot rig the weight is anchoring the flies to the river bed and that causes them to stay in their lane, and travel at a lower speed and since the line can be totally slack, the only drag is the splitshot. I think also there is an argument that can be made for flies without weight acting more natural than flies with tungsten weight. One can also put a buoyant fly at any water depth one wishes, without drifting up, down, or across water lanes. All that aside, still my biggest issue is fish that can see me either refusing to eat or swimming away to cover where I can not get my euro rig to reach... Just thoughts

[@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!

[@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!

[@MedardoSuarez]

HI Cory, nice video. Would you share the weight of the flies? Is it one or two flies?

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Hi Medardo, In this video I was using two flies and rotating between weighs. Most of the time I had a 2.8mm on the bottom and a 2.3mm on the dropper. On certain deeper runs, I went to a 3.3mm. There are tons of times when I use a single fly...pocket water, shallow riffles, etc. Everything is dependent on the circumstances. Hope this helps and thanks for watching.

[@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!

[@sheltonlaurel]

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

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Glad it is helpful. Tight lines!

[@jackmccoy4013]

Thanks the Pezon & Michel nymph line is worth the effort to purchase

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Yes-it is, Jack! Good luck to you!

[@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.

[@jimcastillo8950]

Hello Cory, are you still happy with the Pezon & Michel Color Line ? how is the stretch and abrasion on this line? thanks ............

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Yes, Jim. In my opinion, it is one of the best (if not, the best). Has the perfect amount of stretch that you want in your leader. Super strong. You cannot go wrong.

[@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!

[@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!

[@davidbole8574]

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

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

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

[@yama_ghost4536]

Thank you for these videos, I've enjoyed them so much! Could you recommend a source where I can order those pezon and michel lines online? I really want to try out both, you got me curious on those lines.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Glad you enjoy them, Yama. I get the Pezon from Riversfly.com out of Spain.

[@yama_ghost4536]

@OldDominionTroutBum thank you so much 🙏

[@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!

[@chrishoward4546]

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

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Appreciate it, Chris! Thanks for watching!

[@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!

[@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!

[@taylorutah]

Hey Cory, Can you talk about your little bands you have along your rod. I see black rings near your handle and then what looks like small dental rubber bands further up your rod. Are those effective at keeping your micro leader from sticking to your rod? what do you use specifically?

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Taylor, the black O-rings are to hold a mono wrap for rainy conditions to keep the leader from sticking. Watch this video here ( I replaced plumbers tape with the O-rings): kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5m7aminr8t6n6ssi=5D2n-Ix0rysdozNf The dental bands are to hold my dropper fly. Hope this helps.

[@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!

[@nickjackson5360]

Another great video, many thanks. 👍🏼🎣

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Thank you, Nick. Appreciate you watching!

[@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!

[@petestevens5816]

So if I understand correctly my leader can be 4x sighter strait to the tippet ring then my tippet of 6x. Not sure I will be able to see the sighter but I did see yours in the video.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Yes, Pete. You are correct. You can go 4x straight to your tippet ring.

[@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.

[@kerryjordan7746]

Great presentation and content; do you leave tags on the knot where the yellow Pezon line meets the pink and white sighter to aid visibility?

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Thank you, Kerry. I don’t leave the tags. It actually adds more weight to the leader, which negates the advantages of it. Hope this helps and thanks for watching.

[@kerryjordan7746]

@@OldDominionTroutBum Thanks Cory; have you tried using Skafars wax or a Sakura paint pen to stripe the last few feet of your yellow Pezon leader instead of tying in a piece of bicolour sighter? This would eliminate a knot.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

@@kerryjordan7746 I've tried it all... Too many cons vs pros for me.... I used Skafars for an entire season a couple years ago. Not a huge fan of it. It rubs off too much for me. It is extremely messy. It will end up all over everything, waders, rod handle, flies, knots, face, etc...I will only use it for low light conditions...I'll put a little dab on my sighter if I can't pick it up. The paint pens/markers are better, but once again, it rubs too quickly for me. I found myself re-applying it too much for my liking. When someone comes out with a pen (not wax) that won't rub off, I'm in... Attaching the sighter with a 7 turn blood knot is the only con with the current leader because its a possible weak point. Yet...knock on wood, I've never had one fail on a fish yet.

[@kerryjordan7746]

@@OldDominionTroutBum Thanks once again - your channel is such a valuable resource.

[@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.

[@Edgemoore7]

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.

[@williamlee2335]

After we choose the best bead size for current speed, depth, and wind condition, we tuck cast the fly. We don't change the rod tip height after casting keeping it up and move it downstream ahead of the fly with the the drift to keep the mono line and sighter off the water (when not floating the sighter). The fly will start sinking toward the bottom of the river. Do we then use our non rod hand to manage the line in order to help control fly depth and help get the sighter vertical. I would think the bead size is not a perfect match to conditions most of the time and we need to use the non rod hand needs to manage the line to compensate and keep the fly at proper depth. Is this a correct assumption?

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

William, you are getting there for sure. Just know, that every cast doesn't involve getting your sighter vertical in front of you. Sometimes if you are fishing straight upstream and back, you'll have you sighter at more of an angle. Especially is shallow water.

[@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.

[@Mouafishingthings]

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

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Glad you could see it! Appreciate you watching!

[@robinostby3337]

Hi Cory, I watched this video for the third time and wanted to Go with the Pezon & Michel rigging. I'm confused because you write fluoro yellow or green but when I look online I don't see fluorocarbon? I apologize if it should be obvious. Any information on a site etc. would be greatly appreciated. Your video on the 16-20 knot was like all of them, wonderful! Keep the videos coming and thanks in advance for information on the line, Kyle.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Hey Kyle, it’s Fluorescent Yellow or Green. Sorry for the confusion. You can get it from Riversfly.com. Glad the videos are helpful. I appreciate you watching. Tight lines to you.

[@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!

[@williamlee2335]

When managing your line are you lifting the point fly off the bottom to adjust for depth and to get the proper drift?

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Hey William- You want to manage your line with your non-rod hand by stripping it in or by a figure 8. You want to get out of the habit of using your rod. Watch this video here at around the 16:00 mark: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYHQlHSQj9KZY5Isi=gVdY4yGCqbUxGgBf This is a whole video on managing line: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3zai5hnlK19lacsi=s3yDp_LUexlf1COM Hope this helps.

[@craiggranquist1848]

Another good informative video👍 One question, where do you purchase the Pezon Michel Colour Line from? I cannot get it in Australia. Cheers Craig

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Thank you, Craig. I get it from Riversfly out of Spain. Cheers to you, mate.

[@craiggranquist1848]

@@OldDominionTroutBum thanks, I'll look them up 👍

[@craiggranquist1848]

@@OldDominionTroutBum something for you to try if you haven't already. Try anti-static bag cut into fine strips as a rib, or as body material in a perdigon. If you use different coloured thread underneath you get different effects. This material gives a great Gun Metal Grey colour. Cheers

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Great to know, Craig-Appreciate it. Cheers.

[@pkergod823]

Hi Cory, are you using a blood knot connection between your 4x leader to your 5x sighter? If so, what are your thoughts on replacing the blood knot with another tippet ring?

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Hey Sean. Yes, I use a 7 turn blood knot for the connection. I don't like the tippet ring for that connection because it causes another hinge point, plus the weight (albeit light) will cause some sag. Hope this helps.

[@pkergod823]

@@OldDominionTroutBum Makes sense, was just out after building this leader last night and had a very productive day. Thanks again!

[@travisrothfortune8203]

Have you ever had a break at the 4x/5x sighter knot? Devin Olsen mentioned to me that that knot can be weaker in light sighter materials than people realize. Thanks! 😊

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Travis, I have not had that happen. Can it? Sure...anytime you knot two lighter lines together, it will make a weak point (especially if it isn't a perfect knot). 99.9% of the time if your rig is going to break, it will be along your tippet. If you are hesitant, you can always go straight 4x or 5x. Hope this helps.

[@travisrothfortune8203]

Thanks! I saw an earlier comment where you mentioned this already; sorry for not seeing that earlier. Is there anything that influences your decision to run a 4x to 5x leader/sighter vs a full 5x one?

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

That’s a great question…I’ll run 4x to 5x if I think I’m going to throw a dry-dropper a lot. But quite honestly I’m going more and more to straight 4x or straight 5x depending on the conditions/tippet size/weight I’ll be using that day. For instance….if I’ll be using mostly 3.3 mm and heavier-I’ll go straight 4x (using 6x, maybe 5x tippet). If I’ll be going mostly 3mm and LIGHTER, I’ll go straight 5x (using 7x, maybe 6x tippet) Hope this helps.

[@travisrothfortune8203]

Thanks!

[@travisrothfortune8203]

On another topic, have you tried the Adams White Mono? I’m considering getting some of either that or the Sempe.

[@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!

[@justaguy111]

When Sempe 18 tangles, it does it with gusto (think birds nest). That’s my only real gripe with it. Feeling self conscious about oval casting now. ;) Great content!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

We all get tangles and thin line will definitely do it with gusto. But it is usually our fault when it happens. Some crazy move we make and bam! Watch my video on casting, it will help you get out of that habit! Appreciate you watching!

[@michaelmckenna14]

@@OldDominionTroutBum yeh its 100% always our fault because it doesn't tangle when ur doing nothing lol my worst tangles come from wee brownies when the hook comes out, one time i hooked a good brownie and suddenly fly popped out but because i had so much tension on it, it flicked into the tree behind me lol

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Haha….Amazing how much damage those wee brownies can do to your setup. They can cause some serious havoc!

[@michaelmckenna14]

@@OldDominionTroutBum aye wee monsters we have in the river leven lol

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Haha!

[@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

[@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.

[@Justonflys775]

Have you made a video on the set up on the micro leader? From what formula to use and how to tie it up.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Hey Brian, I don’t have a video of the formula, but it is in the description of this video. Hope this helps and thanks for watching.

[@Justonflys775]

@@OldDominionTroutBum right on brada!

[@scottnock5241]

Excellent Cory!!!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Thank you, Scott. Tight lines, my friend!

[@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!

[@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.

[@oldsmugglerflyfishing]

Thanks for the tutorial and the tips.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Appreciate you watching, Old Smuggler. Tight lines!

[@rjf1877]

Hi Cory, I couldn't quite follow your description of the technique you use for attaching the leader to your braided euro line, could you please help me out ? Thanks much

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Rjf, here is a great how-to video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYXTo5t_qJqIe9U Good luck. Hope this helps.

[@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👍

[@gregh9675]

Nice Cory. What's the recipe list/materials for the stealth perdigon?

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Thanks, Greg. Beige Danville 6/0. Copper bead. Indio rubion CDL (tan) for the tail. Build the body and take the thread back down the body, color the thread w a black marker. Then spin it clock wise and rib it back up and make a small black collar. Super simple, no frills, no flash. I’ll use this a lot on super sunny days and clear water.

[@gregh9675]

@@OldDominionTroutBum Thx, that will work for sure. I do something similar except tie in black thread to rib, your way is faster, gonna try that.

[@mwong000]

Since you had to pay shipping for a Pezon, is there a reason you spent the extra $ to buy it instead of the Pierre? The multi color Pierre sighter is actually thinner and stronger than the single color Pierre leader. Is there a reason you opted to have an extra knot and 2 materials instead of a continuous multi-colored line? Any insight would be much appreciated.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

I pay for it because I believe it is the best. The engineering is similar, but the colors really pop on the Pezon compared to Sempe. We spend hundreds of dollars on equipment, so I’m OK spending $20 for shipping for something that in my opinion is the best. I’ve always used both straight Bi-color or having a blood knot with 2 different colors. But am almost exclusively going straight Bi-color. It takes out the knot and is simply easier.

[@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.

[@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.

[@Wendygaechter]

Tried this leader using all Sempe .16 to 6x tippet. I only had a 4wt 10' 6 Traper euro rod and it worked. (Waiting on a 2wt 10') Caught my first winter bow on it! Thank you. Does the formula length change when using a wf line? I use your maximum length. Still can't understand how to read the sighter but I'm trying! Lol

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Glad you had success, Wendy! Congrats! If the current length works for you, then you are good to go. If you are using a WF line and casting out farther, I would suggest lengthening it a bit, so you won't have the fly line slide back down the rod. As far as reading the sighter, try shortening your tippet length to no more than 4 feet to your bottom fly (sometimes 3.5ft in water 2ft or less). This will help you have a better sense of when you are in the zone and help read the sighter better. Keep at it and good luck!

[@Wendygaechter]

Thanks!

[@workouts8952]

Another great video. I am surprised at how light the leader and tippet is. What would be max size fish you could land with that. I was recently running 2x tippet on 0x leader and was losing fish to breaks on the 2x. Fish I landed where upwards of 22in 6lb brown and had to be patient to land them to avoid breaks

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Appreciate it. I fish 6x and 7x almost all of the time. It allows your bugs to get down much quicker with less weight. I have caught multiple 20 plus inch trout on 7x. And I don't baby them-I'll fight them just like any other size trout. Today's rods do an incredible job of protecting your tippet. Two years ago I caught a 28in on 6x. If you have had your 2x break, I'm really thinking its a bad batch.

[@workouts8952]

@@OldDominionTroutBum thanks for the reply. You hit the issues I had with weight perfectly, I had to use too much weight to get to depth as water was really fast, I was surprised it broke, there are upwards of 10lb fish in the river. Next trip I plan to downsize to make it quicker to get depth without too much weight. Wish I found these a week ago, only new to it and picked up so much, river season is over in Australia so practice and ready for the next one

[@Tommoesel]

Hi, what colour of Pezon and Michel color line do you prefer? I havent tried green or yellow mono yet and Im curious to see whether you think the coloured mono is better than white. THanks

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Hey Tom, I like Pink/White. but it is all personal preference. I like bi-color and don't find it necessary to use paint markers (not opposed to them at all, btw...). I have a buddy who likes green or yellow and then uses a paint marker to make the bottom pop out. White certainly works (Pezon and Sempe make it, not just Adams), but it is all personal preference. You can use the markers on any line, not just the white.

[@BigRyTheFlyGuy]

Hi Cory 😄! This is a fantastic video that I come back to often. I do have a question about the Airflo euro line you are using in the video. You mentioned to another viewer here in the comments, you cut off the orange hi-viz tip on this line and create a micro-loop to attach your leader. Is there a reason for that? I ask because the line already has loops at both ends, which both seem fairly "micro" to me. Could I just leave the orange section on the line and use the included loop on the Airflo line? Do you feel the orange section is unnecessary or even spooky to the fish, or just purely preference? In my mind I'm almost imagining benefit from keeping the orange, to see where my line is inside the guides easier. I appreciate your insights into this!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Hey Big Ry. Glad it is helpful. I cut the orange off because I like the dark line contrasting with my leader because I can tell where the beginning of my leader is. This actually helps me see it better in the guides. The orange blends into it more (for me). I would still cut the loop off, as it is too large and will get caught in your guides. Having a small micro loop slides easily through. You don't even know it's there.

[@BigRyTheFlyGuy]

@OldDominionTroutBum That's amazingly helpful advice! Thank you. I just got my Airflow line and will take your advice to make my own, smaller, micro-loop, and hock the orange section as well. I am using Adams Euro line, which is white, and I think based on your idea regarding the contrast, the olive would contrast even better than the orange. Keep up the great content, love watching your videos.

[@tylershaw5759]

Hey man, great video. Learned a ton! One question: you have 18’ of leader, to 5’ of sighter, to a tippet ring. Then 3-4’ of tippet. Where do you tie your dropper fly to? I currently have a section of leader between my sighter and my tippet ring and the dropper gets tied on there. I then go down 2’ to the point fly. Thanks! I appreciate the time!

[@tylershaw5759]

Ok, I deserve the “if you would just look at the other videos” comment. Just watched the dropper tag vid and I got it. Thanks for answering my question before I even asked it.

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Tyler, If my tippet length is 4ft to the bottom fly, then my dropper will be 18-22" above it. Meaning it is only a smidge more than 2ft. below the tippet ring. If I have 3 feet of sighter, my dropper will only be 18 inches below the tippet ring (if I am fishing with 2 flies-normally if I have on 3ft, I am only fishing with one fly). Hope this helps. Appreciate you watching!

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

@@tylershaw5759 Haha...No problem!

[@travisrothfortune8203]

Have you ever tried a full leader of tippet and a painted sighter?

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

I have a couple of seasons ago. But I prefer using straight bi-color for the whole leader. There is no need to use the markers.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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!

[@rjf1877]

Hi Cory, I've set up the T&T 10'8" 3 wt. with a Lamson 5 G reel and Micro leader and the rod is very tip heavy, do you have any ideas on how to balance a tip heavy rod ? Thanks very much, Bob

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

Hey Bob, what is the weight of the reel? You need a reel that is in the 4.8-5.5oz to balance it. I always like the lower end and use a Galvan 3.5 that is 4.8oz and it is a perfect match. I know Tactical Fly Fisher sells weights that balance rods. They look like beads that go on the butt (if you don’t mind the look)

[@rjf1877]

Thanks Corey, I thinks those balancing beads are called Finn Fly Rod Balancing Kit, I can't find them anywhere. They may be defunct. I'm not sure how much my Lamson weighs. Other than the beads, what do you think of stripping out the line and backing and putting on some 15lb lead core line ?

[@OldDominionTroutBum]

@@rjf1877 That would certainly work, but I really like the reel by itself to do the balancing (But, sometimes you have to work with what you have). That T&T deserves a good mate though!

[@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!

[@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.