Storing "pre-tied" dropper rigs

[gerri]

If somebody wouldn't mind, what's the secret to getting the Orvis inserts to work? I have one and so does a friend and we've both commented on how we can't get our flies to stay in the foam. Granted, we typically are using barbless flies, but I assume many others do as well. Mine was given to me, so if there were instructions, I've never seen them. I sink the bottom fly into the foam, wrap the tippet around the long dimension of the insert and then sink the hook of the top fly in wherever it happens to fall. In addition to the fact that I can't seem to store as many as I would have imagined on the doggone thing, far too often I find that some of the flies have come loose. More tension wouldn't seem to be the answer, because it will just exert downward pull on the top fly. Too little tension seems like it doesn't help either. Just curious - thanks for any help!

Perhaps use of a rubber band would help.

[John_N]

I don't follow, Gerri. Rubber band where?

[johnstoeckel]

I started pre-tying and carrying tandem nymph rigs earlier this year. I have a chunk of high density foam that's about 1" by 2" by 5". It started out as a letter "H" that I bought in the local craft store. I cut the two legs off, glued them together face to face, and trimmed it a bit. I just insert the trailer hook in the foam, wrap the tippet around the foam chunk, and then insert the lead hook in the foam. It fits in my pack alongside my fly boxes.
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It was particularly helpful in the winter when cold fingers made knot tying on stream difficult, but it's handy enough that I've continued to use it this spring.

[gerri]

Hi John,
use a rubber band around the middle of your holder (not placed vertically) to help preserve the tension to keep everything in place between the hooks and tippet/leader.

[pillcaster]

I pretie several of them -- mostly nymph rigs with 2 or 3 flies and then use a cork from a wine bottle -- stick the bottom fly in and wrap them around the cork. Then drop them into the pocket of my shirt or vest. Simple and cheap and floats if I drop it in the water.

The Orvis set up mentioned above works good when I am in the Drift boat but it is kind of large for my vest.

Great idea - thanks for posting - plus another reason to drink wine!

[Jack Hise]

Here's what I use. A Tackle Buddy from Bass Pro. I made a protective cover out of a Fluoresent light safety cover.

[Andrew]

I use the Orvis insert with great success. The way I do it is to tie on my nymph with a clinch knot then at the other end of the tippet I tie a duncan's loop. I place the duncan's loop around one of the clips on the side of the insert, then I wrap the tippet around the short way, then I stick the fly point into the foam covering the tippet. I am able to put six setups on each insert with no tangles.

I think our difference is that you wrap the long way around and I wrap the short way around.

I hope this helps!

If somebody wouldn't mind, what's the secret to getting the Orvis inserts to work? I have one and so does a friend and we've both commented on how we can't get our flies to stay in the foam. Granted, we typically are using barbless flies, but I assume many others do as well. Mine was given to me, so if there were instructions, I've never seen them. I sink the bottom fly into the foam, wrap the tippet around the long dimension of the insert and then sink the hook of the top fly in wherever it happens to fall. In addition to the fact that I can't seem to store as many as I would have imagined on the doggone thing, far too often I find that some of the flies have come loose. More tension wouldn't seem to be the answer, because it will just exert downward pull on the top fly. Too little tension seems like it doesn't help either. Just curious - thanks for any help!

[Gringo]

OK here is the best thing I have seen for a while, but not so great if you are carrying your gear on foot. I use this in my boat and also on my big boat for tuna and shark rigs and it is great. I saw it while watching a very clever old guy demonstrate loch style fishing where they use a lot of different rigs and change frequently.

Basically he got a length of pool noodle, you know that kids floaty spaghetti stuff, cut it to a short length, and slid it into a very short 5-6 piece rod tube he got dirt cheap. Wrap the rigs around the tube, tie off with a rubber band, put a label on if you want, and slide into the tube. As I have several of these on the boat I use those little bags that small thermos flasks come in and you never use anyway. They fit perfect, cost almost nothing and work like a million bucks. Once of the big advantages is that because of the larger diameter of the noodle the rigs are not all corkscrewed up when you go to use one.

Not great if you have to put them in your pocket, but otherwise very useful.

[afishinado]

I'm sure the answers to this question will make me say "WELL, DUH. WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT?" but I'll ask anyway.

I fish a lot of dry/dropper rigs or 2 nymph rigs. Tying on the dropper can be troublesome for me on the water. The ?? year old eyes ain't what they used to be. I would like to pre-tie the dropper to a 24" or so piece of tippet before hitting the water to save myself some time and frustration.

What would be the best way to store and carry these pre-tied rigs?

Thanks.

Try this. Tie a triple surgeons knot leaving a tag end for the dropper every 48" with your tippet material and wind it on a tippet spool. When you need a dropper rig, pull out the tied tippet and cut it in between the droppers. You will have a dropper and 24" of tippet to the point. If you want to tie on three flies, leave and extra long tag for the dropper. You need only tie one knot to have a three fly rig.

It would look something like this:

____________________/_________________/________________/______________

Good luck.