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Post Info TOPIC: Tying droppers to the first fly
SK60


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Tying droppers to the first fly
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I don't know about you, but in this colder damper weather I have trouble tying the dropper fly to the upper fly with cold fingers. As an aid, I use a small piece of closed cell foam cut from a 1/6" thick sheet. I run the point through the sheet and loop and tie off the tippet along the bend as usual. This works particularly well with barbless to keep the tippet from sliding off the point before you clinch it down. Removing the point from the foam is no harder than removing the fly from the foam of your fly box.

I do use a similar technique for clinch knotting the top fly-run the tippet through the eye and use the foam "handle" to do the twists-its easier one the, especially the small ones, than forceps.

-- Edited by SK60 at 15:31, 2007-12-06

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brian clemens


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nice steve. if you dont have forcepts this will work very well.

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Mike Markwith


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Great idea SK60! Sometimes, with cold hands, I have the toughest time tying on the dropper. Has anyone ever tried to leave a long tag end from the first fly and then tie the dropper to it? So that you didn't use up too much leader, you could simply use a longer leader to start with. I always thought this would also give you a better hook set on the first fly, since the hook is more exposed. I tried it a couple of times last summer out of laziness, but used the old technique most of the time out of habit. I couldn't say it was better or worse, since I only tried it a couple of times. Thanks guys.

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Mike Markwith
SCM


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Mike,

I was taught the method you mentioned...basically leaving a long tag end when you connect the tippet to the leader. While this is an easy way to attach another fly, I have found that the top fly (on tag end) constantly twists up on the leader and more often than not tangles into a mess.

The foam idea is a good one. I will have to try it. I have been basically twisting the clinch using my left hand to pinch the loop and right hand to twist it. Once twisted up I slip the loop onto my ring finger on my left hand then insert the hook bend into the loop. To complete the process I pinch the loop to the hook with my right hand, slip the loop/hook off my ring finger and clinch it down.

-- Edited by SCM at 20:49, 2007-12-06

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ConcordBob


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Interesting technique SK. I'll have to try it out. Sounds like it would be a great help.

I currently use the SCM approach. At times it may not be pretty or easy, but it ultimately gets done.

My fall back position now is to tie up a few top flies and dropper combinations at home, put them into a baggie and pull them out when needed. I actually started using this technique after ChemDoc mentioned this approach to me. I found it to be an effective approach(assuming I have pre-tied the correct two fly combo's) since it only requires tieing the top fly to the leader/tippet.

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BobB
SCM


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Bob,

Pre-tying some fly combos is something I never thought of. You could probably come-up with some fairly regular combos. Here are my regular combos, including a couple dry/wet pairings:

Flashback PT & Fox's Poopah
EH Caddis & Zebra Midge
Prince & Disco Midge
Zug Bug & Micro Mayfly
Stimulator & Z-wing Caddis



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SK60


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In one of my first posts, I described using your vise/magnifier to tie 20-24 size hooks with basically a snell (tippet). Makes threading/tie offs of those 6X-7X threads much easier than on the stream. Thanks SCM for the combo's. I also like Sparkle pupa or stalcups rock worm with the same smaller bottom flies. Anyone else want to add to the menu?

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Address: Putah Creek Trout, 1520 East  Covell Blvd, Suite 5, #331, Davis CA 95616

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Mike Markwith


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I have also pre-tied several combinations and have them in baggies in my vest. I've done this for a couple of years. Works pretty well, but it always seems that the fish are hitting on a fly I HAVEN'T pre-tied!!!

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Mike Markwith
cole


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Good ideas.  Glad someone out there is thinking.  I don't like the tag end style of dropper.  It's similar to the czech nymph deal without the specialized leader.  The tangling is no good.  The fly may get a better drift that way untangled but still.  The days I like are when one bug is going off so well that you don't need a dropper or a flippin indicator.  Your not sitting there guessing or firing your dropper every fifteen minutes.

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