TEN FOOT RODS AND NYMPH FISHING

A few years ago Juanjo Ascaso “Amills” great builder of graphite fly rods, told me that a fly fishing rod 10 foot was the antithesis of fly casting. I’m reluctant to acquire new rods of different lengths to which I’m accustomed, I gave absolutely right. But over time I decided to buy a 10-foot rod as economical as possible to try nymph fishing for trout with her. I bought a line 5 and fished only large rivers where I fish and where there is usually used nothing but my beloved rods 9 and 8 foot on the same line numbering. The change was somewhat surprising. The long three meters rod peak line throwing more with less effort, but lost quite accurately. On the other hand if you wanted was to dry fly fishing, my arms were tired after a while and it was uncomfortable.

Far from leaving it in the back of the closet, I was using from time to time, to fish a nymph in wide and mighty river. I do not fish “au fil” as it goes against the most elementary form of fly-fishing, which is the fishing line. That is, in any way I want without my heavy line. The fishing “au fil”, regardless of its effectiveness, I find it just like fish touch with a long rod “toc” and natural bait. Fishing only with the tippet, the magic of fly line disappears completely lost and of course fishing distance, because with plasticine strike indicator can fish over long distances. I nymph fishing, with only one nymph and a small indicator of clay. So small that sinks to pass this natural drift nymph. The indicator only helps me to know where the artificial depth as is fishing. It is very useful and essential in this type of fishing, but also a nuisance, since its launch and it is not comfortable conditions the presentation of the artificial. That is, it is important that the nymph always go ahead of the indicator and not the reverse, as if not literally swept away by this and do not fish as it should. To correct this, I use a rebound cast. It’s very easy. Upstream or transversely it is launched to the stream and stops about 12pm rod suddenly. This makes the nymph rebound to the indicator and before this drop in current. Another advantage of fishing with one nymph is no need to constantly change the rig. I just modified the weight is a function of where you have to catch. So under normal water and normal flow, with a weight of 2.5 to 2.8 grams is enough and large pools with current use of sinkers 3 g to 3.5 g. In low water weights 1.5 grams are sufficient and saving me annoying snags step.

The only move nymph allows printing with the wrist like a gentle tug on the rod tip. This movement whose intention is to try to liven up the artificial is very effective and produces the bite of many pieces, in full drift and collection of artificial downstream printing an upward movement of the nymph giving the feeling of emergency a winged insect future. For all this ten foot rod it is ideal, as it gives us the possibility of a superior control drift artificial and allows us to fish with longer low and avoid as far as possible, the nuisance dredging. Finally nailing fish is more effective over long distances, since the loop is much broader.

However, the rods 10 feet launchers are bad and have low accuracy. Fishing to dry tend to strain the arm and its great length seem even heavier, heavier model that 9 feet. Moreover these rods running a poor casting arc and is difficult to control the line in the air and perform complex technical releases and something that if we allow the rods 9 feet and even better the 8 and 8 foot and a half. Russ Peak the best manufacturer of fly rods that ever existed, always manufactured their rods such measures, ie of 8-8 foot and beak. And although the materials have evolved, physics is the same, and there is nothing better to cast a fly line with absolute control of this, a rod of 8-9 foot and even shorter. Curiously, currently the best manufacturers of rods in the world, only a few models available in 10-foot. Decidedly the “Czech nymphing” no creek and elsewhere is not surprising if you want to really enjoy shooting with a beautiful fly rod. Trout fishing with a fly rod is a game, a game of greetings, as V.Marinaro and probably the best amusement said that man has ever invented by Voelker. Nothing to do with the nymph fishing in a row in which a fly rod is used, but where could perfectly use a cane touched.

Currently I fish with three rods 10 foot. I usually opted by Orvis tip action. This allows me to throw in some comfort indicator with little effort and despite being a very light (79 grams) sugar cane becomes somewhat heavy on fishing for their great length dried. I also have an English-style fishing rod “Loch Style”, but has the disadvantage that loads wrong in short distances. The Greys XF2 is a great fishing pole over long distances dry, wet fly or small chironomids, which controls the artificial drift very well and has a perfect dunk. It also protects very fine low and may be a big fish with fishing lines with subtle but loading terribly wrong closely, and the wind does not advise anyone. The latest is a fishing Snowbee Prestige. It’s a little, “the rod for everything.” Not bad in relation to their money, but it’s no fancy stuff. Anyway as long as the season progresses and the atmosphere is becoming more spring and summer hot and therefore by, use the 9 foot rods for all, especially for fish eating on the surface or the possibility of making up to a dry fly. Fishing in these circumstances with my old tools of quality, it is my pleasure continuous release angling and fly fishing for trout in my favorite river.

~ Carles V.