There is no good argument for exclusively using split shot under an indicator. There’s also no good argument for exclusively using weighted flies on a tight line rig. I simply fish whatever weight suits the moment. Here's why . . .

Continue reading Q&A: How does weight choice change with tight line nymphing vs indicator? at Troutbitten.

I play the odds. I’ve seen what works best, so I repeat it the most. And I’d rather get two or three good casts against the next log for the next thirty seconds rather than just one cast to the log and twenty five seconds of stripping away from it. This is the mindset of having tight targets, of getting short and effective drifts . . .

Continue reading Q&A: Long Drifts or Short — What’s Better and Why? at Troutbitten.

I use euro nymphing often, but won’t be limited to it. And I don’t like the term because of the limitations associated with it.

That said, I don’t think we can change it. Just like the rest of language, we are stuck within a framework for communicating that precedes us. We can only do our best to define and work through this system accurately . . .

Continue reading Q&A: What Do You Have Against Euro Nymphing? at Troutbitten.

Barbless or barbed hooks? How does the barb help keep trout on the hook? And is there a higher mortality rate with barbed hooks?

Continue reading Q&A: Barbless Hooks or Barbed? Does It Matter? at Troutbitten.

Trout can’t hear your boot studs — not in a river with any movement to it. So stud-up those wading boots and love your life. Here's a video to prove it . . .

Continue reading Q&A: Can Trout Hear Your Boot Studs? (with VIDEO) at Troutbitten.

Knowing sizes, weights, diameters and distances improves our effectiveness dramatically. And ignoring these details is a little like a painter not knowing their colors or a photographer not knowing their shutter speeds. So how do we easily measure distance on the water?

Continue reading Q&A: How Do You Measure Your Fishing Distance? at Troutbitten.

Split shot doesn't create tangles. Bad casting and bad rigging does. Don't blame the shot. Have a plan and learn the system.

Continue reading Q&A: Split Shot Tangling Issues? at Troutbitten.

The sinking line does a few presentations very well. And a tight line streamer rig can do many things well. While the sinking line approach gains me more distance and longer retrieves, the tight line system is great for a targeted approach, with more casting and shorter retrieves.

Tight line systems provide direct contact and direct control, where sinking line systems put a weighted fly line in between me and the streamer. Two different styles.

There are many things to consider, but start with this: What is the water type? And what are your goals?

Continue reading Q&A: Streamers — Sinking Line or Tight Line? at Troutbitten.

Can we truly drift nymphs without any influence over them? No. And while I agree that too much contact or too much influence over the nymph can look unnatural, I disagree that being out of contact is the best approach . . .

Continue reading Q&A: Can I Dead Drift the Nymphs Without Contact? at Troutbitten.

Some anglers seem resigned to the notion that more flies, split shot or drop shot inevitably bring more tangles. But multiple nymphs on one rig won't tangle if the cast is right and the rigging is solid.

Continue reading Q&A: Why Do Multi-Nymph Rigs Tangle and How Can You Avoid It? at Troutbitten.