05-18-2012, 08:23 PM
I have been using tungsten bead-head flies - medium to light weight. I haven't used too many heavy czech flies yet since the rivers have been quite low lately. I have a few of those heavier weighted flies handy if/when the water rises.
As far as the leader goes, that has been a source of experiementation. I have mainly been using long leaders, such as 12 to 15 feet, and raising the rod tip up/down based on the depth of the water. However, sometimes I adjust the leader down to 7 to 10 feet. The difference is in whether I use the end of my fly line hanging out of the rod tip to help with the casting. I don't cast too far of course, but having the extra long rod makes up for that. But not using the fly line to help casting makes it difficult to cast the flies if there is wind, like there was yesterday. I haven't figured out this just yet and need to find where it comforts me - a lot of experimentation is needed. I know the professionals who compete frequently have very long leaders - sometimes up to 18 or more feet. I haven't found where it will work for me yet.
One little interesting tidbit - I have found that adding a small bit of split shot on the tippet just above the bead on the fly snug next to the hook eye gets just a bit more weight if needed. I know that seems to contradict the whole point of this method, but it acts just like an extension of the bead head fly and doesn't seem to negatively affect the drift and presentation, and the fish don't seem to care. I do this when I don't want to switch to a heavier fly, but need a bit more weight for water/runs - not too much or it won't drift well, but just enough to act as a heavier beaded fly. The fish don't mind as I have still caught fish with this. The professionals who compete never suggest this - they are very good and don't need such "work arounds" but you need to remember that they can't use split-shot in competition, so they would never try this, and thus would never recommend it. I fish for fun, and use whatever works. [angelic] I am not trying to be a Euro-nymphing "purist" - just having fun, using whatever works for me.
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