Nymphing: Different Styles?

[fishin' fool]

Lately I've read a few different things that mention various types or styles of nymphing. Names such as Polish, Czech, American, Spanish, etc. have popped up. I'm really not a nymph fisherman. I'll do it on occasion, but I'm not good at it in any sense of the word. These different names have me scratching my head more than usual with this type of fishing. Can anybody give me a list of the different styles and explain them in everyday english for a poor nymph fisherman.

Thanks
Jeff

[Uncle Barry]

Good morning FF.
I understand some of the forms of nymph fishing, the American one, sorry I have never heard of it.

As a thought, maybe it is a case of the Federal Government just throwing money at the fish and praying to get a return ?

And back to these different forms of tricking fish with a nymph.

Each method has a common factor and that is to fish WHERE fish are and NOT cast to anywhere in the stream or lake. As simple as it may sound, most people cast out and hope a fish finds the fly, where with each of these methods the angler casts into the location be it even 3 feet by 3feet in area AND how to fish these locations.

To you or anyone wishing to increase their catch/hook-up rate of most freshwater fish, I would suggest that they obtain and read, at least twice, a book because the first time, it is pure information overload for the human mind and this book makes a angler really think of all the missed chances of hooking a fish.

The book is,
Masters of the Nymph.
Publisher: Lyons
First published in 2002
ISBN: 1585747041
Author: Wright, Leonard M.

The book has chapters from the World's Masters of nymph fishing and their methods and how they apply their method to finding and tricking fish.

I would go so far as to further suggest that this book is a must have for any angler.

Kind regards,
UB

[fishin' fool]

Thanks. I'll have to check that out.

[JohnScott]

Jeff -

I could be wrong, but I believe that the Polish and Czech methods are the same, or at least very similar. Haven't heard of the Spanish method, but am pretty familiar with one we use around here, which I suppose one could call the American method. Guess word hasn't made it to Down Under yet ??

Anyway, as I understand the Polish / Czech method, it is a "close quarters" style of nymphing using a combination of flies cast upstream of the known or suspected lie / target fish and kept under close control as the flies drift into the lie / target's position. I believe the key to it is using a heavily weighted nymph at the end of the tippet and a couple nymphs above it tied off droppers at the appropriate depths.

From what I've read about the Polish / Czech method, it is used in those 3' x 3' spaces mentioned by Barry. The upstream casts are typically very short, the drift very short, and the recast, if there is no take, quick. This method lends itself to faster, riffled, and shallower water. Some of the accounts I've read make it sound like the fly fisherman was practically standing on the trout's tail when he started the cast ??!!

That method is very good for certain types of water. Totally useless ( maybe unusable would be a better word ) for lots of other situations where you would want to nymph. Not too many places I fish lend themselves to the Polish / Czech method. Bigger water and deeper and slower runs involve longer line nymphing with one or two nymphs with or without an indicator - not standing right behind the target and flipping a cast a few feet upstream.

The Polish / Czech methods would be worthwhile learning if the water you plan to fish lends itself to the flies and techniques involved. Otherwise, it might be interesting from an academic point of view, but not very useful.

My guess is that if you google Czech nymphing, you'll find enough information to decide whether it would be worth buying a book on the subject. Here's a link that will help you get started -

http://www.globalflyfisher.com/fishbetter/czech/

Didn't read the article, just scanned it and it looks pretty good, so if it is significantly different than what I described above, go with the article !!

John

[Uncle Barry]

Good afternoon JS.

"but am pretty familiar with one we use around here, which I suppose one could call the American method. Guess word hasn't made it to Down Under yet ??"

Here in this country, Australia, we are rather lucky in fact most anglers are searching around the World looking for ideas and or concepts than can be used here or modified for our locations, if there was a special American way of nymphing, we would have some knowledge of the subject.

And now,
As you know all about this American nymphing method, would please expain the details of the method to me.


"I believe that the Polish and Czech methods are the same, or at least very similar"

Thats about correct as they are almost the same, in fact I would class them as all the same.

"close quarters" style of nymphing using a combination of flies cast upstream of the known or suspected lie / target fish and kept under close control as the flies drift "

In the above forms of nymphing there is never a cast, no cast at all is ever used.

The leader only is out side the rod's tip, and the flies are lowered down into the selected location. The leader being a straight section of monofilament.

"The upstream casts are typically very short, the drift very short, and the recast, if there is no take, quick."
Again, There is no cast !
Just a reach out is the best way to descibe the situation, then as the leader is level with the caster, the rod is raised and then lowered as the fly drifts past the angler.

Ideally 10foot rods are the rod of choice, however even 8footers can be used.

"I've read make it sound like the fly fisherman was practically standing on the trout's tail when he started the cast ??!!"

You have read, only read ?
Then you haven't applied Czech nymphing to a stream yet, have you ?

100% correct about almost standing on their tail and the odd thing is the fish don't run away...please don't ask me why, as the fact totally amazes me.

"The Polish / Czech methods would be worthwhile learning if the water you plan to fish lends itself to the flies and techniques involved. Otherwise, it might be interesting from an academic point of view, but not very useful...etc"

Sorry John you have made me laugh with your statement,
because,
how can you judge something or anything when you don't understand the method or concept and therefore would never be able to select the correct location for this method of fly fishing.
You are being totally unfair to yourself and the other readers.

Kind regards,
UB

Just a thought by who I do not know,
"Our wretched species is so made that those who walk on the well-trodden path always throw stones at those who are showing a new road. "

[randyflycaster]

For a good, simple description of many styles of nymph fishing - pre Czech and Polish - check out Charles Brooks' book, Nymph Fishing For Larger Trout.

Randy

[fishin' fool]

Thanks for the input guys.

[CM_Stewart]

fishin' fool,

My understanding in a nutshell:

Polish nymphing generally uses two nymphs, with the point nymph being heavier. It is used in deeper, faster water where you need a heavy point nymph to get down to where the fish are. You only have as much flyline out of your tip guide as you need to keep the line from running back down though the guides under its own weight. There is no need for a tapered leader, and using one would slow the descent of the nymphs. Line plus leader from tip guide to point nymph is roughly the length of the rod. No indicator of any kind is used. The nymphs are led through their drift by the rod, which is held low. The line is kept tight at all times, and takes are felt rather than seen.

Czech nymphing is a modification of Polish nymphing, and generally uses three nymphs with the middle one being the heaviest. It is used in slightly slower, shallower water than Polish nymphing, and you can use a slightly longer leader. Line outside the rod tip still the minimum necessary, and leader is either not tapered or has a short taper and long tippet, because you still want to nymphs to sink fast. An "indicator" is often used, but not yarn or foam or thingamabobber type. Instead, a length of HI-VIS mono (like golden Stren), Amnesia or fluorescent flyline backing is built into the leader. A tight line is still maintained, and the nymphs led through their drift, but because the leader is (or can be) longer, some takes will be seen rather than felt.

Spanish nymphing is also a modification of Polish nymphing, and is used when the water is too clear or the fish to skittish to get close. Basically, long distance Polish nymphing, although the nymphs will not be as heavy. Leaders may be very long 15-20 feet and more, with a HI-VIS section. The HI-VIS mono may be coiled. (Put perfectoin loops in both ends of about a foot of mono, wrap it around a pencil and fasten it with pins through the loops. Boil it for five minutes then freeze it.) Grease the coiled mono with Mucilin, etc. so it will float. It uncoils when a fish takes the nymph so the take is visible.

French nymphing is a modification of Czech and Polish, but is used in low, clear water where the fish are very skittish and you cannot get close. Very long leaders are used, 15-20 feet or more, with HI-VIS or coiled HI-VIS mono necessary to detect strikes. Nymphs are small, relatively lightly weighted, and fished more dead drift than led (you still need to have the line tight enough that a strike is seen by movement of the indicator portion leader).

These techniques are a continuum, without hard and fast lines dividing one from the next. Which to use is determined by the depth, speed and clarity of the water and skittishness of the fish. You don't need to use Czech or Polish nymphs, and you don't have to use 2 for Polish or 3 for Czech. There is an advantage to using Czech nymphs, though, because their slim design allows them to sink fast and the hook shape makes them tend to swim with the hook point up so snags are minimized. It's all about getting the nymphs to where the fish are and being able to detect the strikes. You may find the tight line techniques make it easier for you to detect strikes than when you use a floating indicator.

There really is a lot of info available on the internet, but you have to sift through an awful lot to piece together the details.

Again, that's my understanding. Anyone who knows better is free to correct any errors.

[afishinado]

Great info on the Euro nymphing methods. I use them on occassion. To answer the posters question on "when to" rather than "how to", attached are some comments from George Daniel, one of the top US competitive fishermen, about when they are and are not useful. At the bottom is a link to the entire article:

"While the short-line European method can be immensely effective in certain situations, other basic techniques such as the dry/dropper often deliver better results for the average angler. "It's one of the quickest ways to be rewarded and an enjoyable way to catch fish."

-In the same context, the high-stick Euro system, particularly when combined with longer rods, places demands beyond the physical range of most fly-fishermen. "I lift weights, but even then I feel pain and fatigue after an hour or so."

-Anglers intent on improving their overall catch should consider the Euro system as another tool in the box, one to be given keen consideration when conditions are right, such as with fast, deep runs. "It only works in places where you can get close to the fish."

-This method demands an absolutely tight line so that the strike will register. The leader becomes the indicator;

-The biggest mistakes in nymphing involve line and leader placement relative to current seams. Casting across varying currents invariably creates drag.

-Position, position, position. The easiest way to solve this problem is to wade to the precise spot where a cast delivers the line, leader and fly in the same current. "The shorter the cast, the easier this becomes."

-If it becomes necessary to make longer casts, such as on the larger rivers of the West, some form of suspension system such as the dry/dropper or an indicator is the best alternative."

http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_11363449

[Shakeyfly]

I didn't realize that there were all these different techniques out there. I have been doing almost all of them at one point or another. Just dindn't realize they have a name!!!

What I really love about fly fishing, is how you have to vary your tactics to catch fish. It's part of the fun challenge.

I personally do not enjoy any of the short line nymphing. It's just not fly fishing in my opinion (ducks and hides for cover). But, it is defintiely a tactic that has worked for me in several scenarios where all i could do was reach through the branches.