The tag system - How to tie a dry-dropper rig

REO guide Brandon teaches you how to tie a basic dry-dropper rig. This can be deadly for summer time low, clear water. This rigging also works with two dries or two nymphs. Will definitely outfish the old tying on the bend of the hook you're probably accustomed to.

[@HighcountryFlylife]

yeah I've found the tag end dropper system tends to tangle particularly when its a tad windy. I'm from New Zealand and we tend to use the standard NZ style dropper off the bend of the hook from the dry, never had issues with it

[@maxhighstein]

Makes sense that the tag method would tangle more. But I would imagine the dry fly floats and hooks better with the tag system. You don't find that tying leader to the bend of the hook inhibits the dry fly, or makes it look less realistic to the fish?

[@heimlershistory]

Quick question. Your method is how I learned to dry-drop. But I always have trouble with two things. First, my tag fly (dry) often gets twisted around the dropper line to the point that it's unusable after a dozen casts or so. Second, I find that my dry sinks a lot more often with this setup. I started tying off the bend a couple months ago and it solved both problems, but I really miss the flexibility of the old way. Is there any way to avoid the problems I mentioned?

[@rightmarker1]

Steve - if you tie a surgeon knot like he demonstrates then when it’s tightened up tie a simple overhand with the dry fly length over the nymph length what you get is a 90 degree stand off from the tippet which helps prevent tangles and wind knots. Works for me. John. 🇨🇦🇬🇧

[@thornvfx]

Or tie a blood knot... it’s a better knot with 90° tag.

[@thornvfx]

Or tie a blood knot... it’s a better knot with 90° tag.

[@thornvfx]

Or tie a blood knot... it’s a better knot with 90° tag.

[@riversedgeoutfitters2911]

Hey Steve! Sorry for the late response. To help with the tag getting twisted we like to either 1) shorten the length of the tag and/or 2) tie an overhand knot about the tag knot (this will result in the tag coming off the mainline at more of a 90 degree angle. To help with the dry fly being pulled under, we like to use a floatant on the tag line.

[@rabbithole_flies]

great video! just remember to practice keeping our rivers & mountains clean of fishing accessories that you leave on the ground. take your tippet ends/leaders with you when you're done. thank you.

[@riversedgeoutfitters2911]

Of course! Thanks for watching

[@jimfreemyer1319]

Branden. When you are tying on the tippet to make the tag. Is there already a piece of tippet tied onto the leader that you are attaching the extra tippet to? Otherwise that leader will be getting very short quickly. No?

[@nicolelewis1828]

Great tip, Brandon. Thanks.

[@jeffslevin8719]

Brandon - you say to cut off the top tag. Is that the tag that is part of the leader, i.e. connected back to your fly line? Or is it the end that is part of the tippet that you tied onto the leader?

[@woodsspy327]

I was sort of wondering the same thing, but it would make more sense that the top tag that you are cutting off is from the fluorocarbon tippet you are adding so the bottom tag you are tying on the dry fly is mono and floats better too. Does this make sense?

[@stuartgreig2256]

Well explained will give this a go.

[@richardwharton3858]

Thanks for your lesson!!

[@DAVIDDAMIENR]

Thank You for sharing

[@tyanez]

I use this method, but I had never heard that you need to use the bottom tag. You said that the top one will fail. Oh crap! Really? Why?

[@riversedgeoutfitters2911]

Hey Tomas! It's not so much that it will fail, it's just that the top tag is coming away from the main line at a bad angle.

[@tyanez]

Oh, phew. That's OK. I don't use the tag for a dry, just for nymphs...but if I do, I'll use the bottom one.