Fly Fishing Tips Dropper or no dropper

Category:
Fly Fishing, Planning, Insider
Added Date:
Friday, 13 May, 2016
Summary
One fly or two - that is the question. Will a second fly really help you catch more fish or will it increase the chance of a horrible bird's nest?
 
Content

One fly or two - that is the question. Will a second fly really help you catch more fish or will it increase the chance of a horrible bird's nest? When I'm guiding, especially when it's someone I have never fished with before, I usually start with one fly to assess the level of talent I'm working with for the day. A tapered leader, single fly is definitely the easiest setup to cast and fish. Once you add another fly and a couple of split shots, things can very quickly get very complicated. You can't catch fish if your flies and leader are in a perpetual, hopeless mess!

Read More The Fly Shops of Ennis Montana

Later in the summer, when I'm fishing dries close to the bank, I like a single dry. I find this to be a game of inches; and often, being 5 inches from the bank is not close enough. I like to throw it right into the grass on the bank, make a quick mend to pop it out of the grass, and land it an inch from the bank, ready to take a nice float down the bank. When you're in a situation that requires this level of precision, I think one fly is the right call. Otherwise, the dropper tends to hang up or drag in an unnatural arc away from the bank.

We often fish streamers the same way, super close to the bank. Rather than using an upstream mend, I suggest mending down stream so the bug runs close in and straight down stream. For years I fished a single streamer for the reasons mentioned above, but a few years back that all changed. We noticed that while we could get big fish to follow the fly almost all the way to the bank, we couldn't get them to eat. The problem was finally solved by a size 14 Prince, tied on about 12 inches behind the streamer. It was crazy what a difference it made. Now I almost always put a little nymph on behind my streamer. For the trailer, the recipe for success seems to be big bug/little bug - the bigger the streamer the smaller the nymph.

Read More Tips for Successful Nymph Fishing

After the Salmonfly hatch dissipates, the fish move back out into the middle of the river and I return to using two flies. There are two reasons for this. First, I find this helps me cover more water and show my bug to as many fish as possible. A couple of nymphs or dries spread out a couple of feet apart go a long way to accomplish this, as more fish are likely to see one or the other. Another reason to fish droppers is to up your odds when you're trying to crack the code. If you're not catching fish it's time to change something. That something is usually your fly choice. Do I go big? Do I go small? Bright or dark? Whatever. Fishing with 2 flies yields 2 different guesses. Again I like to think of it as big bug/little bug. The combinations are limitless. Come on over and figure it out. Someone has to - why not you? 

The Hopper-Dropper Set Up

Another two fly situation I really like, is the hopper/dropper set up. This is when you start with a big dry like a hopper or a chubby Chernobyl, then hang a small nymph off the back. The dry makes a great strike indicator. You select the nymph depth setting and you're still in the game if the fish return to the surface.

Tail or no tail. Some people tie their dropper line to the bend of the hook on the front fly. Others go eye to eye - two clinch knots in one hook eye. I usually go off the bend if I'm fishing streamers and beads; for nymphs I like to go eye to eye. That leaves the hook sticking straight out and I feel like it hooks more fish.

So the next time your rigging up, ponder what's possible using a two fly approach. Experiment! Be the one to crack the code! You never know what you might come up with.

Read More Fly Fishing Tips: When to Use a Sinking Line

 
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5minutes
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Destinations
 (2)
This is a small town with a big heart, a veritable fisherman’s paradise. Located near the fish-filled Madison River, and surrounded by the waters of Ennis Lake, the Ruby River, Hebgen ... moreLake, Quake Lake, Henry’s Lake, the Big Hole River and scores of smaller streams, the town boasts what many consider the best trout fishing in the world. As well known for its wranglers as its anglers, Ennis has succeeded in maintaining the look and feel of its original, gold town roots. Warm and hospitable, the area offers a wide variety of accommodations ranging from simple campsites, rustic motels and gracious hotels, to full-service, luxury resorts. Fly shops are numerous, stocked by local experts ready to advise and assist, while guides can be booked for trips throughout the area.

Boredom is the only thing unavailable in Ennis. Throughout the summer season the city hosts a series of events, including its renowned 4th of July Celebration Parade and a genuine, old-fashioned rodeo. In August, fly-fishing luminaries from around the US, flock to Montana to compete in the Madison Fly Fishing Festival. Athletes also find their way to Ennis to compete in the city’s Madison Trifecta, two shorter races followed by a full Marathon at 9000 feet, the highest elevation run in America. For the true sportsman, October falls in with the annual Hunter’s Feed. What’s caught, typically elk, moose deer, pheasant and bobcat, gets cooked on the streets and served up to hungry spectators.

Flanked by three grand mountain ranges, The Tobacco Root, Gravelly and Madison, Ennis is scenic and entertaining – truly an authentic, fly fisher’s haven.
Fishing Waters
 (5)
The Madison River is arguably one of the best trout fishing rivers in all of southwest Montana, if not the entire world! It’s certainly the most talked over, written up and frequented ... morein the state of Montana – which is considered by some the capital of fly fishing. Anglers will find plenty of great access sites to wade or float along the Madison’s banks and reservoirs (including Hebgen Lake and Ennis Lake). Rainbows, browns, cutthroats, and more abound in this majestic fishing stream.

The Madison begins its course almost twenty miles into Yellowstone National Park. Within the Park, fishing rules apply: no live bait and catch and release only. Once outside the Park the river meanders past working ranches, stately conifer forests and cottonwood lined banks, interrupted by riffles and quiet runs that contain large rainbow and trophy brown trout. Flowing alongside Yellowstone’s West entrance road, the river enters Hebgen Lake, created by Hebgen dam, until it reaches Quake Lake, a bit downstream from the dam. At this point the river is commonly called either the Upper Madison or the Lower Madison, although in fact, they are one and the same.

Upper Madison – Quake Lake to Ennis Lake
Directly below Quake Lake the river roars into 5 long miles of Class V whitewater with steep gradients and large boulders along the way. As the rapids decline, the magic begins. For the next 53 miles, often referred to as the 50 Mile Riffle, the cold river runs north and the fish jump high. Annual runs of spawning trout make their way from Hebgen Lake, rainbows in the spring and browns in the fall. Known the world over for its “hard fighting” trout, it’s not unusual to pull a 25” brown from these upper waters. In deference to the purists and fly-fishing enthusiasts, it’s wading only from Quake Lake to Lyons Bridge. Boats may be used to access the river, but if you’re going to fish, your feet must be on the riverbed. Fortunately, the Hebgen Dam releases water throughout the year, leveling its flows and relieving it of spring runoff issues and summer shrinkage.

Lower Madison – Ennis Lakes to Three Forks
A short section of the river between Ennis Dam and the power station maintains relatively low water levels and provides wonderful opportunities for wading. Past the power station the river regains its muscle and for 7 miles winds through Bear Trap Canyon. Hiking trails offer the only entry, great for those that like to walk and seek the solitude of a designated wilderness area. Floating is permitted but requires a lengthy shuttle and the ability to work through Class III-IV whitewater. Once out of the canyon the river flows in shallow riffles until it reaches Three Forks and joins the Missouri. From Warm Springs to Greycliff, the river is easily accessible for drifters and wading.
Trips
$
550
/ Boat
Capacity:
2 anglers
Days:
Daily
Duration:
1 day
Destination:
We specialize in guiding on the Big Hole river. We cater to anglers of all skill levels, from beginner fly fishermen looking to catch that first trout on a fly, to the seasoned angler ... moreseeking a veteran Montana fishing guide who knows these waters like the back of their hand. Our experienced guides will work hard to help you have a first-rate Montana fly fishing experience.
$
300
-
$
495
/ Boat
Capacity:
1 - 2 anglers
Days:
Daily
Duration:
5 hours - 1 day
Destination:
Join us for a fun day of fishing on one the Madison River, one of the top rated trout rivers in the US, and a legend in southwest Montana.
$
550
/ Boat
Capacity:
1 - 2 anglers
Days:
Daily
Duration:
1 day
A full day float trip on Ennis Lake is a great experience. Ennis Lake offers very diverse opportunities for great trout fishing. Countless tactics and approaches work for wade and ... morefloat fishing Ennis Lake. Montana Fish Man can help unlock the Ennis Lake secrets and give you the angling tools for future success. This is a great summer season option for beginners and expert anglers alike. Fly fishing and light tackle spin fishing. For one or two people.
Outfitters
 (3)
Ennis Montana Premier Fly Fishing Outfitter and Fly Shop on the Madison River Trout Stalkers is a fly fishing outfitter that specializes in Montana and Madison River Fly Fishing Trips. ... moreWe are located in Downtown Ennis and just three blocks from some of the best fly fishing in Montana, on the Upper Madison River. Our fly shop is staffed with experienced and welcoming fly fishermen who enjoy sharing their knowledge.

Trout Stalkers fly shop and online store features a diverse collection of the finest fly fishing gear, clothing, fly fishing gifts, fly rods, reels, flies, rental gear, boats and accessories. Our carefully curated fly selection is focused on proven fly patterns for the Madison River and other major southwest Montana rivers.

We have a variety of watercrafts and rafts for rent and for sale, including inflatable rafts equipped with fishing frames, drift boats, kayaks and SUPs. We also have an ever-changing fleet of new and used rafts and drift boats for sale. Need a Madison River shuttle service? We can help with that too.

Our extensive knowledge of fly fishing the Madison River stems from many years and countless days spent “driftin’ and dreamin'" on this great river from top to bottom. We strive to make every visitor to Ennis, Montana feel comfortable and welcome in our fly shop. We want you to have a great Montana fly fishing experience and our top-notch, seasoned guide staff will work hard to make sure of it! Our motto at Trout Stalkers is simple: The first time you fish with us you're a client. The second time you're a friend!
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