Where and Why Should You Nymph With 1 or 2 Flies

[@adrockmike262]

Hello Davin. I watched your video carefully, because I was actually going to ask you this question: when to use one or two nymphs :-) I’m happy you’ve answered before I asked. I used to use always two flies because I believed it made it easier for the fish to find it and grab it. But I once I asked the owner of Old Dominium Trout Bum YT channel to make a video about the benefits on fishing one fly only. He didnt make a video but we e-mailed each other on this topic a few times. He convinced me to try it. I did once and was surpriced how much more takes I was able to detect! And how more accurate I am! Two weeks later (one month ago) fishing with one (2.3 mm bead) fly only I won my first regional fly fishing competition! Thank for your video, beacause knowing when 1 or 2 will now prevent me from sticking to one nymph only through out the entire next season. :-)

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

I'm glad you found the video useful. Congrats on the win and good luck next season.

[@aaronritz4178]

Excellent content as always. I'm a better fisherman because of this channel and can't thank you enough.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Thanks very much! I'm glad you find it useful.

[@PhilWilkins-lm2jv]

This is something I’ve been giving a lot more thought to of late . I haven’t made enough of an effort to be adaptable in the past and have tended to stick with a two fly cast on the basis of offering a choice rather than thinking what will give the best presentation in each different water type. This is a great video! It really helps to break things down and clarify a rationale for making a decision. Thanks 👍

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

@@PhilWilkins-lm2jv glad it was helpful. This switch can be a big part of helping or hurting presentation in my experience so it definitely makes sense to pay attention to.

[@robertcross78]

Great video and discussion. Very good explanation

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Thank you. I'm glad it was clear.

[@1Stewman1]

Thanks for organizing the thought process on this so nicely. I, too, have learned and become a better fisherman because of your videos. Thanks for sharing your insights.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

@@1Stewman1 thanks for watching! I’m glad our videos have helped you on the water.

[@davidj.6525]

This is a terrific video and very well explained. Thanks Devin!

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Thanks very much.

[@michaelcapurso]

Great video, thank you!

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Thanks for watching

[@marcjalbert4139]

Great info - thank you!

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Thanks for watching

[@freddefelice1419]

Great info and your videos are always welcome. Thanks

[@dalesheehan9404]

Thanks for your breakdown on this topic. I generally fish 1 fly but certain times of year and water types I’ll use 2 flies. This video gave me some things to think about in the future while on the water.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Good luck out there Dale.

[@dennybowser5533]

Awesome thank you for the tips

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Glad they were helpful.

[@lolwutyoutube7561]

He's back!

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

We aren't allowed to leave empty tags in competitions but there's no reason you can't leave it empty and swap back and forth.

[@wbernales1]

Very good video, thank you very much

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.

[@Josephcpratt]

Thanks Devin, very helpful review. I fish the tailwaters of the South Platte system (Cheesman Canyon, etc) quite a lot, where tiny nymphs are the default choice. Size 20, 22, 24 midges and baetis. Most anglers are using split shot to get down, and an indicator. For me the dropper tag fly is essentially my weight in order to get the point fly (something very small, usually a zebra midge or the like with a small TB) down to the fish. So I tend to visualize the two flies drifting at essentially the same water depth, meaning both are on or near the bottom. Does that make sense? The notion of fishing a single tiny fly presents a challenge, as how would I get the fly down? When the water type calls for a single fly, how would I fish a small tailwater pattern and still get it down? Thanks!

[@andrasszentivanyi4123]

Excellent video, that helped me a lot. I have one question. Do you put the heavier fly to the point or sometimes it is on the dropper? Thanks in advance

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

@@andrasszentivanyi4123 glad you enjoyed it. I normally put the heavier fly on the point to try to maintain tension through the rig for strike detection.

[@williamcollins2232]

So solid! Many things that I think are my secret system that ONLY I USE, you post. Have you been following me?

[@glencamblin]

As always excellent content. Thoughts on 3 fly rigs ?

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

@@glencamblin I only use them in the deepest and heaviest of water in run into. I’ve used three fly rigs the most when fishing high flows on steelhead rivers when fishing larger tippet.

[@glencamblin]

@ makes sense. I’ve been running 3 flies 90% of my fishing with my anchor up top (lances set up ) and almost every time I think about dropping one off I end up having a banner day catching on all 3 different flies. Doesn’t the European guys run multiple fly rigs ?

[@glencamblin]

@ makes sense. I’ve been running 3 flies 90% of my fishing with my anchor up top (lances set up ) and almost every time I think about dropping one off I end up having a banner day catching on all 3 different flies. Doesn’t the European guys run multiple fly rigs ?

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

@@glencamblin very few run three flies at this point from those I’ve talked to unless the river is very deep and fast. Most world championship European anglers I’ve talked to or fished with follow a similar 1 vs 2 fly approach that I outlined in the video.

[@chrishenslick5482]

How close is too close for a dropper in relation to your point fly?

[@williamblair2934]

Good question. A lot of different opinions. I can say that I caught one with only 6” of separation. Might have been an excessively aggressive fish but..?

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

It likely depends on the specific style and size of the flies in question. I've caught a lot of fish rising to pupae or mayfly emergers with droppers that were 6" to 8" from the dry fly. But the patterns are pretty small and less attention grabbing in this case. With larger patterns, it's probably better to keep them 15" or more apart so that they can visually be somewhat independently from each other. In competitions, we have a rule that flies have to be at least 50 cm apart when hanging vertically, so most of the time I practice that way so I don't get used to rigging I can't use when I'm competing.

[@chrishenslick5482]

Thank you for the reply. I have about 2ft water on a fast freestone and I keep trying to fish two nymphs. Every con you mentioned happens. I just can't help but try and outsmart the river, but it keeps proving that I'm the foolish one.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

We've all been there. Try fishing dedicating yourself to fishing one fly for a few trips and see what happens. You might be surprised how effective you are, or you might come to find that what you are already doing is the better choice.

[@blakemckenzie1946]

I was wondering if you could explain a little more about dry dropper on a micro leader vs on a dry leader. Do you just use your dry leader on your euro rod with euro line? Or do you use a dry fly rod with a weight forward line? Also what situations you would use each method. I know you use dry leader for greater distances but a lot of it is still unclear to me. Like why do you switch from dry dropper on a Spanish leader over to a micro leader. Rather than straight to a euro set up.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

I'll break it down to simplest terms. If I can get within 30' of the trout without spooking them, I'll fish dry dropper on a micro Euro nymphing leader. If I know I'm going to need to fish more than 30' away, or I'm fishing an unweighted dropper to fish eating pupae or mayfly emergers just under then surface, then I will fish dry dropper on a dry fly leader with a standard floating line and dry fly rod.

[@blakemckenzie1946]

@ is that because it’s difficult to cast droppers on a dry leader?

[@blakemckenzie1946]

Like what’s the reasoning behind the switch. High sticking? Casting ability?

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

@@blakemckenzie1946 That's part of it but it's also much easier to high stick a micro Euro nymph leader for better drifts and it lays down and picks up off the water with less commotion. And I can fish it with less slack in the system and respond more quickly to takes.

[@mmichaud12MGM]

Something that I often think of when deciding between one or two flies is the size of fish I'm going after. Just sayin, I would rather have less knots between me and that brown trout.

[@docjoe1]

Of all the Euro rods you own, which is your favorite? Thanks in advance!

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

That's a pretty impossible question for me to answer. I definitely have favorites for specific fishing scenarios but the size of the river, size of the fish, weight of flies, etc. will change the rod I would prefer. Each rod will have its pros and cons. With that said, you're always welcome to email the shop at [e-mail] or call us at 801-410-9099 and we can try to help you choose what is best given the scenarios you encounter most.

[@thomasanderson7164]

Leaves! Could only run one fly today.. still cought a lot of leaves.. but 2 fly's was unfishable..

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

That's not a problem I deal with much where I live but I've certainly experienced it during my trips back East.

[@grimtidings7325]

If you remove the dropper fly to fish a single nymph knowing you will be adding the dropper back later do you leave the tag or remove it?

[@VTBullitt]

Leave it

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

There's no reason you can't leave a dropper tag empty when you fish one fly. I did that while we filmed this video and often do while I'm out fishing for fun. Unfortunately, there is a weird rule that doesn't allow empty dropper tags in competitions, so I generally keep a one fly rod and a 2-fly rod ready in those scenarios for easy swapping.

[@flyguy2021]

I think a lot of people (like me) with imperfect skills fish two to increase the chances of randomly being in the right place with the right fly.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

I had a similar thought process for a lot of years myself. It took watching teammates who were much more successful in certain situations for me to study various scenarios a bit more and see where I could be more successful with one fly. I think in those situations having one fly actually becomes even more important with imperfect technique.

[@VTBullitt]

With two flies- should the flies ever be the same weight? I think George Daniel mentions same size will have them pull on each other and not ideal to do.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

@@VTBullitt lots to unpack in this question. However, to simplify my answer, I fish the same weight flies quite often. However, I will generally fish the slower sinking pattern in this case on the dropper so that the point fly will sink faster and help maintain tension through the tippet.

[@MarcTelesha]

ALL WATER IS COMPLEX. The water on TOP will be FASTER than the water on the bottom. This is the main reason why strike detection of one is better than two. It is due to bowed line. Movement isn't bad and I have fished 3 or even 4 flies in different situations, but if I am worried about strike detection I will always go to one fly.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

If you have seen our original film Modern Nymphing, we spend quite a bit of time on the speed differential through the column from top to bottom. In some unique cases of turbulence, the water on the bottom can actually be faster than the water near the top. Regardless, I spent quite a few years as a biologist making habitat measurements and some water is considerably more complex than other water is. Many anglers don't spend enough time thinking about the spectrum of water types they encounter and how they should adjust their rigging and approach to suit the water types in front of them. This video seems to have been helpful and thought provoking for quite a few anglers. I'm sorry if it wasn't for you.

[@MarcTelesha]

@@tacticalflyfisher3817 I think I have watched everything you have put out. Thanks for sharing so much. Also I am so thankful for getting the Adams line that helped my catch rate more than anything else.

[@lynnroller9911]

What is your process for changing from a two nymph rig to a dry dropper?

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

@@lynnroller9911 my upper fly is always on a dropper tag. I just chop the nymph off and tie on the dry. I talk about that in the video and have a full dedicated separate video to dry dropper on a euro leader from a few years ago.

[@lynnroller9911]

Thanks, I must have missed it during the video. I will find the other video. Appreciate the great content and your response.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

Here's a link to that dry dropper video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3q8iKefbdSegrMsi=U2f9j95OET4qJKUX I'm more likely to fish a micro leader across the board these days but that's the only aspect I've changed much in the interim.

[@lynnroller9911]

​Thank you!

[@alexargyros7186]

Do I understand you correctly that you will use two flies when you want get two small nymphs down near the bottom of a deepish run? The idea, as I understand it, is that the two flies will sink faster than a single fly. Here is where I need some help with the underlying physics. If the flies are independent of each other (the point of using dropper tags), it seems to me that two flies with, say, 2.5 mm beads won't sink at the same rate as one fly with a 5 mm bead, but, instead, will sink at the same rate as a single 2.5 mm fly. In fact, ten independent 2.5mm flies will sink at the same rate as one. If my reasoning is not correct, I would love an explanation.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

That's not what I'm saying. In most cases, a single nymph that is the same weight as 2 combined nymphs will still sink faster and drift better than 2 nymphs. This is because there may be less fly surface area and there is the issue of having the flies spread between current speeds laterally or in the column as I cover in the video. What I am saying is that fish often respond a lot better to smaller flies than they do larger ones, especially if they have received a lot of fishing pressure or if the bulk of the food forms in the river are small. In these cases, I generally find more success fishing 2 smaller flies than one larger fly, even if the characteristics of my drift might not be as good as if I fished one fly. Or in other words, even if the drift characteristics are somewhat poorer, it may still be better to fish 2 flies if they are much more convincing to the fish. The context of the complexity of the water still needs to be overlayed on all these decisions though. No matter what rig is chosen, there will still be some sort of compromise. Finding the least impactful comprise is what leads to success.

[@alexargyros7186]

@@tacticalflyfisher3817 Thanks, Devin, for your thoughtful reply. However, I'm still confused. You say, "I generally find more success fishing two smaller flies than one larger fly." It seems to me that the real choice isn't between one larger fly or two smaller flies, but between two smaller flies and one smaller fly. If the two smaller flies are independent of each other, then two smaller flies should sink at the same rate as one smaller fly and slower than one larger fly. If anything, two will sink slower than one because of tippet interference, and, they will likely drift less naturally.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

@@alexargyros7186 it's about the weight. If I could fish one smaller fly that weighed the same as two small flies, then it would probably be beneficial in a lot of cases because of drift characteristics. That's not reality though unless I use a bead that is significantly larger than I normally would. And in the same rivers where small flies are usually more successful, smaller beads also are usually more successful. In this case, fishing two flies allows me to use two smaller beads instead of one vastly oversized bead on a single fly.

[@flyguy2021]

That would probably be true if they were sinking without the tippet attached that has to be dragged down

[@flyguy2021]

@@alexargyros7186seems like we need a video with a glass tank experiment.

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

Always fish 2….1 nymph, and one a lot higher up as an emerger.

[@tacticalflyfisher3817]

If that works for you that's great. You might want to consider some of the points on drift and accuracy I cover in the video as well with regard to fishing one fly.