"Nymph" - simple and catchy

"Nymph" - simple and catchy

In the last issue of the magazine, in one of the articles on fly fishing, the term appeared - "method of a short nymph". It turned out that not all novice fly fishers are familiar with this method, and requests began to come to the editorial office with a request to tell in more detail about such fishing with a "nymph".

"Short Nymph"

The "short nymph" method is a very lucrative way of fly fishing. It owes its popularity to the Czech fly-fishers, who very successfully use it in all kinds of international competitions. It is thanks to their outstanding results that this method is also called "Czech". Therefore, the names "short nymph" and "Czech nymph" refer to the same fly-fishing method of catching potential fish sites at a short distance.

Tactics and technique of fishing. When fishing with the "short nymph" method, fishing occurs almost at the level of the rod tip, which forces the angler to be very careful. You should approach the shore very carefully so as not to frighten off the fish standing under it, for the bite of which the first casts will be calculated.

Casting should start from the shore, gradually entering the water. It is important that the "fly" lies above the intended parking of the fish and has time to go deep to the required level. If in the course of the fisherman's movement along the river the strength of the current changes, then the angle at which he casts the bait should also change in one direction or another. At the same time, the line and undergrowth must be taut all the time so that the slightest contact of the "fly" with the fish is transmitted to the angler's hand. The angler's arm should be extended while fishing, providing the best sensitivity.

In the first part of the wiring, until the "fly", moving with the flow, has not reached the place where the angler is standing, the tip of the rod should be kept high enough above the water. But as soon as the "fly" is equal to the fisherman, the rod should be lowered down so that the line does not interfere with its natural movement with the flow. In the final stage of the posting, when the "fly" reaches its lowest point, it is necessary to wait until the current lifts it into the upper layers of the water. During the rise, the "nymph" imitates an insect that is about to fly out, and quite often bites occur at this very moment. By the way, at the same time, you can still play along with the tip of the rod, giving the “fly” chaotic movements, which also increases the number of bites.

In deep areas, you can use several "flies" at once. A reasonable maximum for beginners is to use 2 "nymphs" at the same time (fig. 1), although more experienced anglers use both 3 and 4 "flies" (fig. 2). Most often, the heaviest "nymph" is knitted from below, and above, respectively, a lighter small "nymph" or a wet "fly" (see Fig. 1). The heavy "nymph" quickly reaches the required hauling horizon and keeps the entire rig in the required tension. This installation is best suited for beginner anglers, because. it provides good sensitivity of the gear when the fish attack any of the "flies".

Almost all novice fly fishers make the same tactical mistake - they stagnate in one place. This is not worth doing.

If after several postings no bites followed, then it is better to move - even if only a few steps. Thus, the "nymph" will pass along the promising area along a completely different trajectory, which is important, given the small angle of attack of some fish. In principle, you can move both downstream and upstream. But I believe that when the angler moves upstream, the fish are less scared, and the river reads better, and, accordingly, he is less likely to miss a good place.

If the angler has caught a lot of promising places, but there are still no bites, then you should think about changing the bait, because. "short nymph" is so effective that the reason for failure can be either the lack of fish in the pond, or bad bait. Moreover, the number of bites may depend not only on the type of bait, but also on its size. Most often, the size of the bait depends on the current stage of development of the simulated insects in a particular segment of the fishing season. For example, in the summer on the rivers Tverskaya, Novgorodskaya and other nearby regions, grayling is well caught on "nymphs" tied on hooks No. 10-12, and in autumn it prefers "nymphs" on hooks No. 18 or less.

Also, to increase the number of bites, you can change the fishing line from which the leashes are made to a thinner one - up to 0.07 mm. Sometimes, after that, the difference in the bite becomes significant. But when using a thin fishing line, playing the fish should be more delicate.

Tackle. It must be admitted that fishing with the "short nymph" method takes a lot of physical strength, so the choice of rod and reel must be approached very seriously. In addition to the fact that these elements must be of high quality, their combination should contribute to an acceptable balance of the entire tackle.

As you probably already understood, the rod for this method should be long - 2.7 - 3 m. At the same time, it should be 3rd - 5th class and light enough, otherwise you will get tired of holding it at arm's length very quickly . The reel must fit perfectly with the rod, otherwise the tackle will be poorly balanced - and again you will quickly get tired.

From my own experience, I was convinced that the reel should be selected directly under the rod, not paying much attention to its marking. There can be many reasons for the imbalance of tackle equipped with a rod and reel of the same class. However, gradually, the old materials from which fishing tackle is made are being replaced by new, more practical and, most importantly, light ones. Accordingly, one coil of the 3rd - 4th class can be an order of magnitude lighter than another with the same marking. So my advice to you: if you go to the store to buy a reel, then do not hesitate to take with you the rod with which you plan to use it.

The type of fly line is practically unimportant when fishing with the "short nymph" method. only a small part of it is involved in the wiring, and in some cases only a fishing line is involved in fishing, to which "flies" and undergrowth are tied.

Unlike the line, the undergrowth is a much more important element of the rig. It must have no "memory" so that the snap is always at the right tension. For this method, short undergrowth is used, which in some cases also serve as bite signaling devices.

"Long Nymph"

This method is successfully used in very shallow areas of the reservoir, where the fish does not let the angler get too close, as well as at solid depths, where the "short nymph" cannot be used. By the way, great depths limit the movement of the angler, and unlike fishing with a "short nymph", you have to move mainly downstream.

As for the cord, in this case it is involved much more than in the "short nymph", and certain requirements are imposed on it. Depending on the fishing technique, a variety of cords can be used.

Fishing with a floating line. One way to fish for a "long nymph" involves the use of a floating line. As for its type, it can be DT (two-cone) or WF (torpedo-shaped). There is no single position on this issue yet - someone likes one, and someone is better at managing the other.

With regard to undergrowth, lovers of this fishing method are unanimous in their opinion - it should be wicker. Firstly, the wicker undergrowth has practically no "memory", and secondly, in some situations, it is possible to determine the bite from it.

In the same way as when fishing with a "short nymph", the cast is made above the place of the supposed parking of the fish. How much higher you need to cast - the angler determines based on the depth and strength of the current at the place of fishing. It is very important that the "fly" deepens as quickly as possible. To do this, after casting, the line should be laid out in a loop against the current so that the undergrowth does not sail in the water and does not interfere with the free immersion of the "nymph" (or "nymphs").

Then he lifts the tip of the rod up to ensure the best contact with the bait. As the current moves the "nymph", the angler should choose the excess line with his free hand - and at the moment when the "fly" is equal to it, the angler should lower the rod.

In the same way as in the first method of fishing, it is necessary to wait until the current lifts the bait to the surface of the water so that the “fly” imitates a flying insect. In the process of lifting, the "nymph" can be slightly "revitalized" by shaking the tip of the rod.

As in the "short nymph", in this method of fishing, a montage of several "flies" is used. Here it is even more justified, because when fishing in strong and deep streams, sometimes you have to put a very large and heavy "nymph" as an end "fly", which practically plays the role of a sinker. And already small "nymphs" provoke fish to bite.

Fishing with a sinking line. Some fly anglers prefer to fish using the "long nymph" method, using a fast-sinking line that allows them to fish larger areas of the reservoir.

The first part of the wiring is exactly the same as in the previously described options: we give the "nymph" to go deep to the required depth, and at the moment when the "fly" is equal to the angler, we gradually lower the tip of the rod to the water so that the bait swim looks natural. When the tip of the rod is down to the water, the angler must release part of the free line to continue the fly. When it no longer makes sense to bleed the line, the fly angler makes a short pause, because at this moment a bite may occur. If there was no bite, then you need to start pulling the "nymph" towards you with short pulls with short pauses between them.

Fishing with a line of neutral buoyancy. The technique of fishing in this way differs significantly from those described above. The bait is thrown downstream at an angle that would allow deepening the "fly" to the bottom layers of water. After the "nymph" reaches the place of the alleged parking of the fish, we begin to choose the line with small stops. At this moment, the "fly" (or "flies") play on the current and provoke even a passive predator to bite.

This method works well in low current areas and wide shallow areas, allowing you to get a positive result even when the fish are not active and all other options do not work.

Tackle. When fishing with the "long nymph" method, all the requirements for the quality of rods and reels, which we talked about in relation to the "short nymph", are preserved. The only difference is that you need a 3.5 m long rod. It allows you to better control the line and control the lure.

P. Krapivin

"Sport fishing № 10 - 2008"

Attention!

An article from the site " Kaliningrad fishing club



Fly fishing requires special skill and endurance from the angler. When fishing with light bait, there are many factors that can affect the effectiveness of such fishing. If a nymph is used as a bait, then many fishermen, having used this tackle and not having received a positive result, no longer use it for fly fishing. This is a very big misconception. With the right organization of nymph fishing, you can get a high catch, but the skill of managing such bait and tackle is preceded by a long period of training.

What is a nymph

A nymph is the larval stage of an insect. Many species of fish feed on such larvae-pupas, so the use of a nymph as a bait can be very effective in fly fishing. If fly fishing is used, the nymph is guided evenly near the surface of the water, and even large fish bite during such fishing.

Artificial larvae are made in various shapes, sizes and colors. They imitate the type of insect that fish hunt in their natural habitat.

Tackle selection

First of all, you should choose the right main part. In order to successfully catch trout or grayling, you will need nymphs that mimic caddisfly or dragonfly larvae. A well-made imitation larva has legs and a color that matches this type of larva. Some nymphs can reach over 40mm in length, but the average size for catching this fish is 12mm. Many artificial nymphs have a holographic surface that changes color depending on the light. In the design of artificial bait, beads can be used, the brilliance of which is able to attract fish at a considerable distance.

For catching perch and pike perch, you can use nymphs painted in very bright colors. This fish does not have great legibility and pounces on any shiny and bright object. A fisherman who uses the fly fishing method must have a strategic supply of various lures. It is not always possible to judge the food preferences of fish at a given point in time even by ripped open stomachs, therefore, if the bite is not strong enough, it is necessary to experiment with the shape and size of the bait.

In order to make fishing on a nymph easy and enjoyable, you need to choose the right rod for fly fishing. Fly rod material can be:

• fiberglass;
• carbon fiber;
• glued bamboo.

Fiberglass can only be used in the process of mastering this type of fishing. The low strength and increased vibration of the blank do not contribute to the acquisition of such a blank by experienced fishermen. The high weight of such a rod is also not its advantage when the rod is constantly held by the angler in his hands. CFRP is a modern, lightweight, but expensive material. A blank made of carbon fiber has a low weight and a high breaking load, so if nymph fishing becomes a constant hobby, then buying a rod made of this material is a must.

Glued bamboo is the most expensive material for the production of fly fishing rods. Such products are handmade and have unique characteristics.

The length of the rod usually ranges from 2.4 to 2.7 meters. It is convenient to fish with such a rod both from the shore and while in a boat. Many fishermen practice wading nymph fishing. The weight of a high-quality fly rod should not exceed 150 g, only with such a weight of the blank it is possible to comfortably fish for a long time.

The action of a rod for fly fishing on a nymph in the absence of wind and a small weight of the bait should be slow.

In this way, the elasticity of the entire length of the rod can be effectively used when casting, which contributes to a longer and more accurate delivery of a very light bait. When using a heavy bait, a fast rod action is more suitable. In this case, it is possible to cast the bait for a considerable distance, even with a headwind.

A fly reel should not be heavy, otherwise the superiority of a good quality light rod will be minimized. The mass of the reel for a fly fishing rod usually does not exceed 150 g. The reels are small in size due to the lack of the need to wind a large amount of fishing line. To equip the fishing rod, only high-quality products are used, perfectly balanced, with a gear ratio of at least 1/5.

For fishing on a nymph, a cord with a diameter of 0.12 mm is used. With skillful handling, this thickness is enough even for catching large trout. If a fast action rod is used, the diameter can be increased to 0.15 mm.

How to catch a nymph

For effective fishing on a nymph, you should choose the right reservoir, where such larvae are the main diet of fish. Such fishing is most effective in shallow waters with an average current. It is not effective to carry out the wiring of the bait against the current. The maximum result can be achieved if the nymph is thrown against the current. When the larva floats freely downstream, it can be slightly twitched to provoke the fish to bite. If the wiring tactics are chosen correctly, then the fish are very well caught with this method of bait animation.

A less effective way is to lead the nymph across the current. During posting, it is also necessary to apply small jerks, while the posting speed should be low.

On a reservoir where there is no current at all, the bait can be cast in any direction. Good results can be obtained if the nymph is thrown to the opposite bank of the reservoir, which is covered with hanging branches of trees. In such places, the fish is quite often and feeds on insects that have fallen into the water.

Good results can be obtained if the nymph is thrown to the opposite bank of the reservoir, which is covered with hanging tree branches.

For successful fly fishing, nymphs must be attractive in appearance and resemble as much as possible the natural larvae that feed on underwater inhabitants. If at the same time high-quality light tackle is used, then a very large catch can be expected.

The topic of nymph fishing in fly fishing is a kind of stumbling block for many: this fishing seems so difficult that many simply try to do without it and do not use the nymph for years. Meanwhile, others do not see anything complicated and supernatural in this and get their share of pleasure from such an activity. Meanwhile, catching a nymph is both a simple and complex, emotional and very interesting process.

What is a nymph? If you do not delve into entomology, then in a nutshell we can say that a nymph is an insect larva, practically the very first stage at which it is in a long chain of life metamorphosis. The nymph stage is passed by all insects that are of interest to fly fishing. The most famous and most common in our waters are caddisflies, dragonflies, stoneflies, paddleflies, mosquitoes and some butterflies. I don’t know if it is correct to consider beetle larvae as nymphs, but if one of the fly fishermen demonstrates an imitation of such a larva, then he will most likely call it a nymph too. Thus, we can conclude that at the moment, for most fly fishers, a nymph is a generalized name for wet fly class lures that imitate an insect larva, but not a specific species.

I remember one of my old visits to the Kola Peninsula. I was just starting to fish, so I tried to do everything as it was said in the few tutorials for that period. Before tying the fly, I thoroughly examined everything that was under my feet at the bottom of the reservoir: stones, snags, algae stalks, and only after selecting a more or less suitable fly did I start fishing. But on that day, surprisingly, a completely different fly worked, not at all similar to underwater prototypes, but more massive, in creamy beige tones, tied on a Wet-type hook with an elongated forearm and more reminiscent of a bark beetle larva. The fish actively took it, swallowing it up to the very gills. Then I did not immediately understand what the secret of success was; only a little later, having analyzed the situation, I made the only, in my opinion, correct conclusion, which most clearly explains what, in fact, was the matter. The river I was fishing in ran through a large forested area. Obviously, these larvae (of the bark beetle) were very familiar to local fish, and at some moments they turned out to be preferable to other insects for it.

Nymph fishing time

Nymph is an all-season lure that successfully catches fish. It is possible to achieve the greatest result when fishing with a dry fly during the period of mass departure of insects. With a nymph, the situation is somewhat different. At any time of the year, insect larvae are present in any reservoir, and often fishing failures arise because it was not possible to accurately select an imitation of a fish food object. I repeatedly had to turn over almost everything that was in sight under water, but the result remained, to put it mildly, not very good. Perhaps it also depends on the lack of fish in the proposed place at the moment, or maybe the imitations I proposed did not quite meet the food preferences of underwater inhabitants.

In the cold season, which usually occurs in the Moscow region in mid-October, the water temperature drops below 7 ° C, and seducing fish with a nymph becomes almost the only way out of all possible. But this does not guarantee success. Often fish accumulate in a certain place and they need to be found. The search takes a lot of time out of the already short light period, hence the result: we didn’t manage to pick up the bait correctly. An equally important role is played by insect larvae, which move from coastal stones and branches to deeper places, from where it is more problematic to get them to determine the species. I remember several trips for autumn grayling just like that, with unimportant results, when a couple of pokes happened all day long, which were recognized as bites only thanks to my own great experience in catching this particular fish, knowledge of the river and the food preferences of grayling in this reservoir.

Ways to catch a nymph

Down-stream - downstream

If a beginner fly fisher has a question about how to catch a nymph, then, as a rule, he is first of all explained to him the fishing scheme downstream, the so-called down-stream method. The principle of this fishing is as follows. A cast is made upstream at a 45° angle to the main stream, then a manding is done, a special technique in which a free line is thrown upstream to reduce the force of the current stream pressure on the line. If you do not do such a transfer, then due to the pressure of the current, the speed of the passage of the fly increases, and this does not always favorably affect the quality of the wiring.

This technique allows you to deepen the fly, lower it closer to the bottom and hold it in front of the very nose of the fish. If the current speed is very high or the depth is large, you can make several mandings and thereby increase the depth of the wiring and slow down the speed of the fly. After deepening, the bait swims through a section of the proposed fish parking area, and then it is stopped. First, the rod should be stopped, and then the whole tackle. When the pressure of the current on the line increases, the fly begins to float, simulating the release of an insect from the water. This method is perhaps the most common and easiest to start mastering nymph fishing.

Up-stream - upstream

This method is more technically complicated and requires the angler to have more skill and ability to use tackle. Judging by the name of this method, fishing is carried out by casting upstream. At the same time, it is necessary to clearly, and often quite quickly, control the wiring, choosing a cord from the water that the current carries to the angler. It is most difficult to do this when the current is fast, since it is not so easy to control the passage of the bait on a stretched cord that is quickly rushing towards you. Often, bites go unnoticed, because the fish that takes the bait can move downstream for some time. For a clearer fixation of the bite, various indicators were invented. At first glance, the indicator is not a very clear and convenient thing if you use it for fishing downstream, but it is absolutely indispensable when fishing upstream. Thanks to the indicator, you can see the most careful bite, even a light touch by the fish of the bait.

Once I happened to fish on a very fast mountain river. In crystal clear water, the fish could be seen from afar, she also saw my approach. Therefore, the only correct way to fish was only one - upstream. I carefully approached the fish from the back, and it did not immediately notice me, and the fly, thrown onto the jet, swam into its mouth at the speed of the current, without causing any fear. The bites were frequent, but the result was not pleasing until I noticed how a fish rose from the pit, took a fly and, having swum with it for some distance, calmly threw it. Of course, I made a hook, but I was too late, and the fish left. Then I remembered the packaging of indicators in my pocket. Having fixed one of them in the upper part of the undergrowth, I, as they say, immediately felt the difference. The bites became noticeable, the indicator either reacted to them by stopping, or abruptly dived under the water in opposition to the movement of the gear.

The up-stream method is interesting, firstly, because it allows you to approach the fish carefully without frightening it. It makes sense to make the first casts at a short distance so as not to frighten the fish standing at a longer distance. Secondly, having mastered this technique, you can see the new potential of your tackle and understand how great its capabilities are.

Czech style, or Catching a rolling nymph

On mountain rivers or rivers with a fast current and a flat bottom, it makes sense to fish using the Czech method. This is perhaps the most effective way to fish for a nymph, and I always try, if I come across interesting sites, to fish them in this way. Czech style involves compact rigging and close contact with the fish. In such fishing, a cord is almost not used, and therefore many fly fishers, adherents of the above methods, do not consider it fly fishing. The question is debatable, but still other fly fishers regularly use this method. For the Czech method, you can use standard undergrowth, or you can tie your own rig. I prefer to rig myself, because I can make tackle of any power - if this term is suitable for such a very delicate way of fishing. This is how I rig.

A small piece of fishing line with a diameter of 0.25 mm is tied to the cord using the loop-in-loop method. When making tackle on your own, it must be remembered that the thinner the fishing line is used, the less the tackle sails in strong winds, but the more it is prone to breakage and loss of flies if a solid fish bites. Next, an indicator is inserted, which is made from a piece of braided backing. It can be any length. I prefer long indicators, at least 15 cm, they are better visible. Another piece of fishing line with a diameter of 0.18 mm is also tied to the indicator using the loop-in-loop method, and a leash with a diameter of 0.15 mm is tied to it. This is an example of one of the options for mounting equipment. The length of the last segments of the fishing line is usually selected empirically, based on the length of the fishing rod and the depth of fishing. It is important that the resulting equipment manages to bring the fly in jumps to the very bottom.

The fishing technique is simple, throwing is done upstream, and then I carry out the wiring with a stop at the end of the movement. A big plus of the method is that during wiring it is possible to catch a large area in front of the angler. The wiring angle can be up to 120°, which is very effective when moving up or downstream. As a rule, the Czech method is caught with two nymphs, less often with three.

Jumping nymph

Another method of catching a nymph is based on the wave-like posting of a fly - the North American method of a galloping nymph. If the Czech style does not use a line, which makes it possible not to consider it a full-fledged fly fishing, then the American method uses a line with might and main, but the rigging of the undergrowth system - the leader resembles our running donk. .9 m) depending on the depth of the fishing area. A double leash is tied to the undergrowth, connected from a fishing line of two diameters, for example 0.18 and 0.15 mm. A stopper knot is tied at the end of the lower leash, and several lead shots are placed above. Their number and weight are selected based on the depth of fishing. Above, nymphs are tied on leashes, as a rule, no more than two.

The fishing technique is the same as downstream, and the use of pellets as a sinker allows you to vary the weight of the entire rig and control the depth, almost without resorting to manding. During wiring, heavy weights pull the equipment to the bottom, where it begins to drag and cling to bottom debris. Therefore, periodically you have to throw the flies up with the rod. Hence the galloping movement of the nymphs in the water, and the name of the method.

Choosing the right bait

Whichever method is chosen, all, as a rule, use two or three baits at the same time. At first glance, it may seem that this is due to the desire of the angler to catch more fish, but in practice, catching two or three fish at the same time happens infrequently. So, last season I had some purely nymph fishing, and I always used two flies, but I never caught a doublet all season. A rig with two flies has an advantage that has a positive effect on the result: the ability to catch two horizons at the same time.

Not always the fish has time to react to one bait, and the other turns out to be very handy right there. At the moment of departure of insects, three flies can be used. The top one, for example, a parachute or any emergency, imitates an insect at the exit stage, a little lower you can hang a pool, and even lower at the bottom - a nymph. Such a trio can please with unexpected results. This happened to me three years ago. I caught on one small river, where, in addition to grayling, for which I usually go there,. There is not so much of it in this river, but it is quite large by Central European standards. The fish was regularly caught on both the upper and lower nymphs, but it was of a small size. I wanted to catch a “freckled” predator, and then a small rift with large boulders sticking out in the middle and a clear hole under the shore just turned up. As luck would have it, right before the roll, I unsuccessfully threw the tackle, and the flies hopelessly disappeared in the dense foliage of a tree branch hanging over the water. I had to tie up the equipment. Then I decided to tie a third fly, higher than two nymphs. A small, wet fly completed this garland well, and I started retrieving, worried that the flies were too close together.

The pit was silent, and I already wanted to leave the place, but at that moment some kind of weight hung on the other end of the tackle, and then rushed furiously along the bottom. I was dumbfounded by an unexpectedly sharp bite at the most inopportune moment. I saw how the yellow-olive body of a trout, tumbling and rushing from side to side, raises a cascade of spray, tries to leave and hide between the stones at the bottom. Another turn of the fish, and the flies fly out of the water at breakneck speed, hiding on the same branch where their predecessors remained.

For me, that incident turned out to be so vivid and emotionally strong that I still remember it with excitement. What made the fish take the fly at the last moment? One of the flies affected the food instinct of the fish or the trout simply attacked three flies, perceiving them as something that encroached on its territory, one can only guess. But after that incident, no, no, and yes, I tie three flies in an interesting place. But what if?!

Nymph fishing is becoming more and more popular every year. The point is not to lower the smallest imitation with a tungsten head to the bottom much faster, but to discover new opportunities for successful fishing in new depths.

Initial position

80% of all insects are found by our salmon under water and mainly in the bottom zone of water bodies. The fish very rarely leave it, chasing the emerging nymph to the middle layers of the water. Rafting and returning to the original place of parking requires a large expenditure of energy, which can be compensated only in the case of mass hatching of insects at the bottom of the reservoir.

Since the current speed is maximum on the surface of the water, our trout look for calmer places for themselves at the bottom behind the breakwaters or along the coast, where they find enough food. Very attractive for fish are the parking places at the entrance and exit from the pools or at a depth under the main current. The larger the pebbles and stones at the bottom of the reservoir, the more they slow down the current, causing the water to swirl, even upstream.

So, the norm of behavior of our salmon is to be in places where they do not have to spend a lot of energy for food.

With a parachute-style ring cast or Switch Cast, the line is cast obliquely, approximately at an angle of 45 degrees. upstream.

This beautiful brook trout was seduced by a deep-drawn imitation amphipod on the opposite bank behind an underwater rocky ridge.

fish species

Each type of fish, depending on their nature, has preferred parking places. So the brook trout likes scours under the banks, slightly muddy water or a pile of large stones in streams.

The brook trout prefers shaded places among large stones as their parking lot at the bottom of the reservoir.

On the contrary, grayling is more likely to be found on the illuminated sandy areas of the bottom or in gullies.

On the contrary, rainbow trout are looking for communication with their own kind in shallow open places. Moreover, if a sufficient number of insects are fused, she can choose even a very fast current as her parking lot and loves funnels formed by the current, where food without much difficulty falls directly into her mouth.

As for the grayling, it prefers a uniform flow without turbulence and pebbles of the same size at the bottom of the reservoir. The structure of the body of the grayling allows it to stay on the fast current as well.

Nymph fishing techniques

The end of the cord is folded, and the nymph lies down near the bite indicator.

classical

Most often, with this technique, a not too heavy nymph is cast upstream on a monofilament undergrowth, especially when fishing in small and not deep waters. Since in this case the casting distance and the rafting distance are small, there is no need to use a bite indicator. Watching the end of the cord, you can timely determine the bite of the fish or the hook on the bottom. This technique is good to use when fishing in reservoirs with a large number of boulders at the bottom. Tuck casts allow you to quickly adjust to the depth of the reservoir or to the turbulence of the water flow, as well as to check the expected places of fish stopovers.

When using small and light nymphs, the length of the undergrowth may well be equal to three times the expected water depth.

Rafting at depth for short distances

If the water in the stream is a little cloudy and there is a turbulent flow, then the technique of fishing for the "Czech nymph" will be very effective. Here you can fish with a long rod, such as a tenkara, jumping very heavy nymphs along the bottom on a short cord. However, this is no longer the classic fly fishing.

If the reservoir is wide and the water in it is clear, then the French nymph fishing technique is applicable. Here you will need a super flexible rod and a conical, up to 9 meters long monofilament undergrowth. Real professionals use the system of nymphs - heavy at the end and light on the side leash - (Rig) almost any fish in the pond. You can hardly believe it, dear reader, but I tried this technique: you feel any bite. However, since it can lure the most wary fish out of its hiding place, I think it's a very dubious way to catch a fish, no matter what.

Active pressing of reservoirs using this method leads to the fact that the fish stops rising to the surface of the water and, having heard even a slight slap, hides and stops eating altogether for several hours.

Some water managers ban this technique at home, introducing the “Dry Fly Only” rule, or limit the length of the undergrowth to 3 meters.

As soon as the end of the line is in front of the angler, use a horizontal Swip to lay the manding loop downstream. The faster the current, the narrower the loop should be.

American "Hopper-Dropper" method

In America, where it is allowed to use several flies on one undergrowth, a piece of monofilament line with a slightly weighted nymph at the end is fixed on the bend of the hook of a floating imitation of a grasshopper or stonefly. The length of the line depends on the depth of the water, and the floating "bouncer" serves as a bite indicator, although it is attacked by fish in the first place. It happens that both flies are attacked by two fish at once. Here, in Austria, on most reservoirs, the technique with the use of two flies is prohibited.

After that, you must immediately throw the cord in the opposite direction, i.e. upstream.

Nymph on a sinking cord

In the old days, before the advent of heavy tungsten heads, in order to lower the nymph to a depth, they used primarily a sinking cord or a cord with a sinking head. They acted according to the principle: "if the fish does not come to me (that is, does not emerge), then you need to go down to the water level where the fish is standing." However, such a three-dimensional "campaign" to the fish was available only to a few anglers who had the appropriate "feel" for the speed of the current, the depth of the reservoir and the distance to the parking of the fish. It should not be forgotten that after casting a sinking line (large body of water) or a line with a sinking end (small rivers) upstream or downstream, it was only possible to either choose a floating line or let it go.

Depending on the alloy, it is necessary to continue to throw the line in order to keep the loop in the shape of the letter "U" or "V" as long as possible.

The nymph on a short undergrowth moved somewhere near the bottom or in the middle layers of the water. In order not to “oversleep” the bite, it was necessary to make constant contact with the bait, lifting it and taking it away from the fishing area. Most often, the bite occurred at the end of the drift, at the moment the nymph stopped and rose to the surface of the water.

Charlie Brooks was the master of the highest class of fishing with a sinking line with a simple imitation of a stonefly nymph. His fishing area was the Madison River in Montana, and I learned a lot from him there. On this 50-mile rapid with lots of boulders, the fish had only one choice: “Either immediately take the bait or starve to death!”

At the end of the rafting, the loop straightens out, and the nymph breaks away from the day as a result of the pressure of the current on her.

My method of catching the nymph "Bottom Downstream"

In the event of a bite, the indicator stops or hides under water, moving against the current. Undercutting should be done by moving the rod horizontally upstream. In this case, the nymph rushes downstream and securely "anchors" in the corner of the fish's mouth. Cord loop to slow down the cutting energy.

I came up with this fishing method many years ago and tried it on the pre-alpine rivers. This was the time when the first graphite rods appeared on the market, which allowed casting long distances. The prerequisites for this method were a uniform flow without turbulence and large boulders on the bottom. Fine-grained bottom substrate and depth differences, that is, ideal places for grayling.

I realized when practicing the method that the dark color of the sinking line and the line with a sinking end, apparently, did not appeal to picky graylings, as this affected the results of fishing. For this reason, I developed my own undergrowth for small ponds. Inside the weave of monofilament line was a thread of lead. The undergrowth was blurry and less visible. Twisted green copper wire together with fluorocarbon threads also performed well when fishing in shallow waters and light nymphs.

On larger waters, I also use a floating line in combination with undergrowth, which can be up to 5 meters depending on the depth, as well as a bite indicator. The indicator is fixed in such a way that at the end of the reel it abuts against the upper ring of the rod, is released and freely slides down to the fish, without hindering its playing and catching.

Cast fishing upstream

When catching "suspicious" places in small reservoirs, casts should be made mainly upstream.

I still use this method today on various reservoirs. In doing so, I change the length of the undergrowth depending on the depth, the speed of the current, or the weight of the nymph. Basic rule: the depth of the reservoir plus 50 percent. At the transition from the cord to the undergrowth, it is necessary to fix the indicator. Without it, on a bright sunny day, you may not see a bite, especially if you are standing waist-deep in water and making long casts.

When using long undergrowth at the end of the rafting, the nymph sometimes has to apply force to reliably detect the fish.

So, the fishing technique:

1. You make a "parachute" cast obliquely upstream. First, you should catch the zone closest to you, then gradually go to long distances, since even a floating line can frighten away the fish.

The long monophyllic undergrowth does not unfold completely, and in this form lies on the water. The shorter the undergrowth, the more vertical (to the sky) the cast should be. It is optimal if the nymph falls almost on the indicator at the moment when the line falls on the water.

2. A fast current captures the cord, a “belly” forms on it. There is no pressure on the nymph, and she freely descends. At the same time, you need to pull the cord through the middle finger of the hand holding the rod and collect it into rings.

3. As soon as the bite indicator is in front of you, this means that the nymph is close to the bottom surface. This can be seen from the indicator, the melting speed of which has noticeably decreased. Now the nymph starts to work. Next, make a horizontal Swip with the end of the rod downstream to form a loop in the form of the letter "V" with an open top upstream. This must be done in doses so that the indicator does not move as a result of this casting. If, with too much force, the cord is pulled downstream, the nymph will rise up, which we should avoid. The stronger the current, the narrower the loop should be. In slow flow, the loop can be larger because the flow pressure is less.

4. After that, we make several horizontal Swips (mandings) against the current to keep the letter "V". To do this, we use the stock of the previously selected cord. Now the cord floats downstream, and the nymph moves near the surface of the day at a slight angle. From time to time, it can be lifted abruptly from the bottom for a short time, delaying the release of the cord during mending, after which it will lower again.

5. When biting, the indicator goes under the water obliquely against the current. You are making a mistake if you are hooking as usual by lifting the rod up. In this case, the cord with the loop is only released from the water, but the fish is not detected. On the contrary, you need to lower the end of the rod to the water and hold it in this position against the current. The undercut can be made more effective by simultaneously pulling the cord with your left hand. In this case, the size of the loop lying on the water is reduced, and the indicator jerks away downstream.

The nymph also passes this way and is reliably marked in the corner of the mouth. The current presses on the loop of the line and reduces the energy of the hook, so the breakage of the undergrowth and the loss of fish are extremely rare. This method allows you to successfully fish places near the bottom surface at a distance of more than 25 meters from the angler.

At the end of the alloy, the cord straightens out, and the nymph emerges. This is the moment when bites occur very often. In conclusion, the line is selected up to his head, and another cast is made upstream.

6. I simulate caddisflies and mosquitoes, periodically raising and lowering them. On the contrary, I raise the nymphs of the mayflies slowly, but continuously and lead them to a greater distance, and then lower them again.

The reward for a deeply drawn nymph according to the Roman Moser technique is often a beautiful and strong fish, like this "leopard rainbow trout" caught in Ager.

I hope I was able to clearly and clearly explain my complex nymph fishing technique and wish you success in its application.

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Nymphs with heavy metal heads have long been used by fly fishers. Fly fishing experts offer advice on handling these heavy insect imitations.

A nymph loaded with a bead has twice saved me from bad luck during my trips abroad. Without these baits, fishing would have ended in failure due to poor conditions. In Mongolia, due to the high water temperature, the taimen stayed in the deep sections of the river.

With the help of a large laden nymph, I managed, despite the strong current, to reach the bottom. And in Norway, I was able to “persuade” an inert brown trout with this nymph to bite. Perhaps the sound the bead made when in contact with the rocky bottom and its shape awakened the salmon from their lethargic sleep.

Pascal Durantel, French professional fly fisher

250 kg of fish for 1 fishing trip

Detained poachers told the secret of their success for a good bite. The fish inspectors were so surprised by the lack of poaching equipment...

Heavy nymphs are used if it is supposed to fish at the bottom of deep gutters, washouts or whirlpools. At the same time, it is necessary to notice the often lightning-fast bite of the fish. The best control over the nymph is carried out when it is carried out, if possible, under the very tip of the rod.

Casting is reduced to a short fly feed upstream, and the haul is only a few meters. Not a single extra centimeter of line in the water, the fly fisher should feel how the nymph bounces above the bottom. If he does not feel this, the nymph needs to be knitted even harder. At the slightest twitch, at any stop of the cord, it is necessary to respond with a hook.

Daniel Luther, editor-in-chief of the Swiss magazine Petri Heil

Nymphs with a heavy head pose a certain danger to the angler himself. Some fly anglers have already received a nasty blow to their own back of the head when casting. Throwing over the head with excessive effort does not lead to good.

With a powerful cast, not only the head of the angler is endangered, but also the rod. A direct hit of a heavy nymph in the blank can lead to the formation of a crack on it. If the rod is then heavily loaded when playing, it can easily break in this place. Therefore, it is advisable to practice with heavy nymphs not sweeping casts over the head, but ring ones.

Embrace the head or body

A tungsten bead is three times heavier than a regular brass bead for a golden-headed nymph. The heavy bead is located at the nymph directly at the ring of the hook. This means that the nymph dives with a great inclination towards the head. Of course, the nymph can be loaded with lead or tungsten wire on the shank of the hook, then the mass will be more evenly distributed and the nymph will sink more naturally.

Thus, under certain circumstances, it will be more like a natural prototype, which sometimes, for example, with calm water, can be important. Therefore, along with nymphs with a heavy head, one should also have nymphs whose weight is distributed throughout the body.

Guido Vinck, editor-in-chief of the Belgian fishing magazine Beet