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. "
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