Bouncing Nymph Rig

Some individuals have asked if I ever fish Nymphs and like many of us I perferr drys, but when fishing nymphs I generally use the Bouncing Nymph Rig or trail a Shop Vac Nymph as a dropper.  I posted this bouncing rig drawing for those of you who maybe interested in this setup.

1.  Start with about 4 – 6 feet heavy leader or the butt end section of a tapered leader.

2.  Attach about 3 – 4 feet of 2X – 3X tippet depending upon depth of water.  

3.  Create 2 tags that are 2 to 5 inch long and spaced 6 to 12 inches apart (Note in some areas you may be able to use more tags legally)

4.  Tags should be made from smaller tippet if possible with the top fly being the large fly.

5.  Use as few weights as possible as long as they are not too large (Non-lead is always better).

6.  Use one good size BB or several small BB weights vs. a large weight. The idea is to have the weights slide over the bottom and hang up less. You are less likely to lose everything if the rig does hang up.  Hopefully you will only loose only one or two BB weights.

7.  Set the indicator so the distance between bubble and weight is at least 1½ times the depth of the stream.  The indicator should bounce along the bottom. Any quick movement sideways or down is probably a strike.  If the rig is not bouncing, you are not reaching the bottom and are not fishing deep enough. Move the indicator to fish deeper and/or add more weight.

**  Recommended easy to adjust indicator – ¾ to 1” Airflo Airlock Indicator or Thingamabobber Strike Indicator