Nuts & Bolts

On this Nuts and Bolts Page I’ll share tips about rigging for different fishing situations, knots, fishing strategies and practical techniques to take out to the water.

The Davy Knot

Want to learn something new? Want to have all your friends go how’d you do that. Well here you go, the “Davy Knot” will do the trick.

Davy Wotton, competed for many years for the Welsh national fly fishing team and in individual professional events. Through trial and error, he invented a knot that allowed him to attach a fly in seconds. He appropriately dubbed it “the Davy knot.” This knot is so easy and simple to tie, it sometimes seems difficult! Once you use this knot, you may not use another one!…..Continue to the Full Article – The Davy Knot

Indicators – Which is Best?

There are many indicators for nymphing available on the market. I’m going to cut to the chase and give my two cents on the on-going debate of “What is the best indicator to use?” I’ll clue you into the indicators that I and some of my guide friends have used on our local rivers. As for the local rivers, I am talking about the Lower Yuba River, Feather River, Lower Sacramento River, Trinity River and the Klamath River. I’m really talking about an indicator that has to support a lot of shot and 2 or maybe three flies. This discussion is not about the pinch-on or micro indicators.

Let’s look at the “Boles Float Rite,” the “Thingamabobber” and The Frog’s Hair indicators……Continue to the Full Article – Indicators – Which is Best?

Rigging for Deep Indicator Nymphing

The rigging diagram below is from the “Boles Float Rite” website. This diagram is the recommended rigging by “Boles Float Rite”.

The rigg that I’ve been schooled on by fish guide, Mike Hibbard, is a little different. Lets talk in general terms and assume that you’re using a Boles, Thingamabobber or Frogs hair adjustable, pegged corkie or whatever indicator you prefer.

This would be Mike’s Lower Sacramento Rigg…….Continue to the Full Article – Rigging for Deep Indicator Nymphing

Mending and Controlling the Drift of your Indicator

Controlling the Drift of Your Indicator When Fishing from a Drift Boat

One of the most important things to master when you are nymphing from a drift boat is to be able to cast your rigg to the correct seam and them manage the indicator and flies to dead drift correctly. Mending

1. When side drifting from a drift boat under indicator the idea is to set up a drag free drift.

2. Once the indicator lands, Stack mend the tip of your fly line directly behind the indicator.

3. It is best to try to have about 2 ft. of fly line above the indicator which will help slow down the drift of the indicator.

4. The water at the surface always flows faster than the water where the flies are drifting……..Continue to the Full Article -Mending and Controlling the drift of Your Indicator

Water Load Casting a Deep Nymphing Rigg

When nymphing from a drift boat you are typically casting multiple flies with shot. On the Lower Yuba River which often has good water clarity you also need to add the element of stealth. This means that you often need to be able to cast your nymphing rigg at least 2 rod lengths and more from the boat. This may seem daunting to some. By using a water loading casting technique you will be able to improve your ability to achieve these distances with less tangling when casting shot and multiple flies. We were fishing one day and my son Zack looked at me with a huge smile and a tangled mess of tippet and flies and said, “Look dad, I’ve got a bigger rat’s nest then grandpa.” Using a water load cast can help this from happening….. Continue to the Full Article -Water Load Casting a Deep Nymphing Rigg

Bounce Nymphing

“Bounce Nymphing” is another technique that will enable you to keep in contact with the bottom and keep a tight line to your flies. The rigging method is a variation of a tight line rigging method. I have a friend, John, who I fished the Upper Sacramento River with, and I watched as he vacuumed a run right in front of my eyes. He was using a very tight line and kept most of his fly line off the water. As I’ve since discovered he was “Bounce Nymphing”.

I came across an article in “Fly Fisherman” magazine, written by Larry Tullis. I’ll give you a dose of his medicine……Continue to the Full Article – Bounce Nymphing

Rigging and Fishing Soft hackles

When summer comes around here in Northern California and the caddis get busy I look forward to fishing soft hackles and emergers. This means I can forget about worrying about a dead drift presentation for a while. Well, sort of anyway.

I look forward to heading down to the Lower Yuba River in the late afternoon, usually about 5:30 or so and fishing until dusk. What I’ll look for is a run that is below an active, semi-bouncy riffle with a run below it that has depth of 4 to 6 feet. If it has a distinct dropoff at the bottom of the riffle that’s even better…….Continue to the Full Article – Rigging and Fishing Soft Hackles

Tippet Rings

I’ve recently started looking into fishing the Truckee River this fall. It’s only a one hour drive from home and an option that I really haven’t taken advantage of. Why? I’ve been concentrating on the Lower Yuba and the Lower Sacramento River. It’s sort of funny, I’ve been working in Truckee for the last 8 years and when I’ve gotten done working, I want to get the blank out of there. I’m done working there, so now I want to start fishing there. Go Figure. I guess I am nuts. Pass me a shot of scotch, please.

One of the things I’ve come across, getting ready, is the technique of rigging using braided line and “Tippet Rings”. From what I hear, when fishing the Truckee River, the larger browns like to hold in deeper slots amongst boulders and larger rocks. They also like to hold right on the bottom. This results in lots of lost flies and re-tying leaders and sometimes totally re-rigging.

As a remedy to constantly hanging up and changing riggs and losing flies, the local guides have come up with a rigging system to avoid these break-offs by using a modified “Czech Nymphing Rigg”.

Continue to the Full Article -Tippet Rings

Knots- Non Slip Mono Loop

If you want a good knot for tying on your favorite streamer, try the Non-slip Mono Loop.

The Non-Slip Mono Loop is one of the most versatile knots around. It is a great choice when you’re looking for a strong loop knot. Many guides from Alaska think that the Non-Slip Mono Loop, tied properly, is the strongest, most consistent loop knot around.
Here are just a few situations which this knot may come in handy here in Northern California

Attaching wet flies to leaders when swinging for steelhead
Attaching sculpin patterns to leaders when fishing for trout
Really, attaching any wet fly to a leader, as long as it’s not a tube fly or a bead
Creating strong loop knots in the butt section of a leader for a loop to loop connection
Creating loops in both ends of monofilament running line
When tying this knot, getting the wraps to cinch properly may take a couple of rounds of pulling on the tag end and sliding the loops down the line towards the knot. It can be a little finicky to tighten at first, but it’s well worth it to get good at this one!

Continue to the Full Article

Knots – Lefty Kreh’s Loop Knot

A LOOP KNOT is one of the most useful knots in fishing. A loop in the line allows the lure or fly to be more active during the retrieve. Anglers have used loops in monofilament and wire for decades, but most loop knots have some disadvantages. First, the tag end of most loop knots protrudes either outward or forward. This stub, even if very short, will tangle a thick tippet and often catch grass in the water, spoiling the retrieve. Second, most loop knots are not as strong as the line they are tied with and cannot be adjusted to loop size. Finally, many loop knots can be tied only in fluorocarbon or monofilament and not in braided wire.

The Non-Slip Loop overcomes most of these disadvantages. It doesn’t snag. The tag end protrudes toward the fly, lure, or hook, reducing the chance of snagging grass during the retrieve. It is strong. When tied correctly, it will test near or at full-line strength in all kinds of weights — 150-pound-test monofilament or 8X tippet. It is versatile. You can use it to make a simple loop or a loop to attach the lure, fly, or bare hook. You can build the loop to any desired size. And best of all, it is perhaps the most effective knot for tying a loop in braided wire, especially the modern multi-strand wire.

The knot may appear to be difficult to tie, but it is rather easy. You make an Overhand Knot, insert the tag end through the hook eye, bring the tag end back through the Overhand Knot, and make a number of turns with the tag end before inserting the tag end a final time through the Overhand Knot. Now let’s do it step-by-step.

Continue to the Full Article to learn how to tie it