Seeing as to how I believe that drop shot rigging would be a great nymphing technique, I looked at the Cal. regs. regarding use of weight;
sec.2.10 subsection 2 states that "It is unlawful to use any hook which is directly or indirectly attached closer than 18 inches to any weight exceeding 1/2 ounce."
sec.2.10 subsection four states that " it is unlawful to use any weight DIRECTLY ATTACHED below a hook."
So if one looks closely at subsection 2 we find that it IS lawful to use a drop shot provided that the bottom dropper with the weight is no less than 18 inches long and the weight is below 1/2 ounce.
Those are two separate regularions. I wrote the department about this issue to get clarification. The way that it was explained to me ideas that if you go to life your rig out of the water and the last thing that comes out is the weight then that is considered illegal.
That's my interpretation as well. to be safe, my tight line rig typically features a heavy (but not exceeding 1/2 oz) jig fly at the point. The weight is at the head, not below the hooK and my droppers above this are ~18" apart.
I think they wrote this a bit too vague. If I was ever ticketed, I would definitely contest.
Dan
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I've read those regs and they are pretty vague. I've been under the assumption for ever that using a "drop shot" was completely *illegal* in the state of California. I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure it is.
Just use a heavy fly at the bottom. A jig hook fly is best as it rides hook point up. You probably won't catch many fish with it, but it is legal. The reg was written for people trying to snag steelhead/trout on the bottom with bait.
An upright hook should not be what scares a fish from taking your fly. Fish do not have hands... they do not necessarily inspect each and every bug that drifts by them. As long as the size, shape, and silhouette match the hatch you as a fisherman should not worry about whether the hook point is facing north east or west... hope this helps!
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