"That slowdown on the tag happens when the lower nymph — your point fly — reaches the strike zone," I said. And even though both nymphs are going slow, they like the position or the level of the upper one.” That can only happen with a two fly rig.

Continue reading One Nymph or Two? — Here’s a Particular Look That Can Only Happen With Two at Troutbitten.

Here’s the bottom line: You do not need an extra-soft rod tip to protect delicate tippets while nymphing. Skip past that selling point in the marketing jargon, and make your fly rod decision on the other factors that matter.

Continue reading Tippet Protection and Nymphing Rods at Troutbitten.

Casting around structure is one of the toughest things for any fly angler to learn, but what comes before the cast is most important. Don’t walk past the toughest spots. Get close and go get ‘em. Crowd the hazard . . .

Continue reading When Fishing Around Structure, Crowd the Hazard at Troutbitten.

Choosing the right indicator is the first step to setting up and effective system. Balance between indy and weight is the key.

Continue reading Your Indicator Is Too Big at Troutbitten.

How much can we feel the fly at the end of the line? And how well does the fly rod transmit the flex to the angler? These are two very different kinds of sensitivity.

Continue reading Sensitivity in a Fly Rod — Two Very Different Ways at Troutbitten.

Choosing a fly rod that's perfect for the Mono Rig and euro nymphing starts with knowing your goals. How versatile do you want to be?

From the best all-around fly rod that's ready to handle nymphs, streamers and more on a long leader, to specialized euro nymphing rods and dedicated streamer rods, here are my favorite tools for fishing the Mono Rig . . .

Continue reading The Best Fly Rods for the Mono Rig and Euro Nymphing — My Favorite Rods at Troutbitten.

The Troutbitten video series, Streamers on the Mono Rig continues with Episode Two, covering the unique possibilities and the demands of casting.

Fishing streamers on the Mono Rig offers anglers ultimate control over the direction and action of their flies -- all the way through the drift. And while small streamers may need nothing more than a nymphing-style cast, mid-sized and full-sized streamers require a few changes in casting to get the most from the technique . . .

Continue reading VIDEO | Streamers on the Mono Rig: Episode 2 — Casting at Troutbitten.

A friend of mine once described a truly slidable, easily movable, dry dropper as the Holy Grail of fly fishing. I suppose it depends on where your goals and interests lie, but if you like fishing nymphs under a dry, then you’ve surely wished the dry fly was easily re-positioned without tying more knots. There is a way . . .

Continue reading A Slidable Dry Dropper System at Troutbitten.

In collaboration with Wilds Media, the long-awaited Troutbitten video series featuring Streamers on the Mono Rig begins today.

Episode One is an overview of the tactics and an exploration of what is possible when fishing streamers with tight line tactics. The video also covers the Troutbitten Mono Rig and the functions of its three main components.

Continue reading VIDEO | Fly Fishing the Mono Rig: Streamers — Episode 1 at Troutbitten.

John crossed the bridge with his head down. He watched each wading boot meet a railroad tie before picking up his other foot for the next step. Cautiously, he walked the odd and narrow gait required when walking the tracks. And with nothing but air between each massive railroad tie, he could see the river below.

I’ve never known anyone to fall on a railroad bridge. I suppose you couldn’t fall through. But you’d surely break a leg or twist an ankle with one wrong step on that slick wood.

So I stood by the “No Trespassing” sign, next to the edge of the bridge, and watched my friend slowly make his way toward me. He looked disappointed. And when gravel filled in the gaps between ties, when John was back on solid ground, his head stayed down.

“Did you catch a Namer?” I asked with feigned enthusiasm.

“Ha! Nope, I surely didn’t do that,” John said, waving his hand and brushing off my next question.”

Continue reading Cover Water — Catch Trout at Troutbitten.