There may be nothing more misunderstood in the tight line game than floating the sighter. But it’s a great tactic that solves a lot of problems and offers some unique presentations that fool trout.

However, there’s a lot more to floating the sighter than simply laying line on the water. In fact, without a solid understanding of what's going on, laying the floating the sighter can hurt the presentation . . .

Continue reading VIDEO: Floating the Sighter at Troutbitten.

My friends and I don't go fishing with our mind set on a certain tactic. We let the trout make those decisions, and we're ready for anything. The Troutbitten Standard Mono Rig is the perfect tool for such an approach.

. . . It's a versatile tool. It's a hybrid system. And to maximize those options, simple adjustments are necessary. This video shows those adjustments in detail . . .

Continue reading VIDEO: Mono Rig Mods — All the Adjustment for a Versatile, Hybrid System at Troutbitten.

For over a decade, my Troutbitten friends and I have fished a small yarn indicator that weighs nothing, is extremely sensitive, versatile, cheap, doesn't affect the cast, and flat out catches more trout than any other indicator we've ever used. What we call "the Dorsey" is a daily-use tool that is integral to our nymphing system. We mount it on a tight line rig or a traditional leader with fly line. It floats like crazy. It signals takes and information about the drift like no other indy we've ever used, and it's an unstoppable fish catcher.

Continue reading VIDEO: The Dorsey Yarn Indicator — Our Best and Most Versatile Indy Choice — Building It and Fishing It at Troutbitten.

One rod length over and two rod lengths up. That’s the Golden Ratio. That’s the baseline, and it’s where trust in our drift begins. There are surely moments and situations that call for something different. But a good tight line style starts here, within the Golden Ratio of nymphing . . .

Continue reading VIDEO: The Golden Ratio of Nymphing at Troutbitten.

The Lift and Lead is a cornerstone concept for advanced tight line nymphing skills.

Lift to allow the fly to fall into place. Lead to stop it from falling and to keep it gliding through the strike zone.

For certain, the lift and lead is an advanced tactic. But if you’re having success on a tight line for a few seasons now, you’re probably already incorporating some of this without knowing it. And by considering both elements, by being deliberate with each part of the lift and lead, control over the course of your flies increases. Efficiency with weight improves.

The path is more predictable. And more trout eat the fly . . .

Continue reading VIDEO: Tight Line and Euro Nymphing — The Lift and Lead at Troutbitten.

It's not red anymore. It's burgundy, but it "might" be red again someday. I’ve been alive long enough to know that when something you love leaves, it’s best to start moving on. And yes, I'm a leader junkie . . .

Continue reading The Red Amnesia Problem at Troutbitten.

What I call the Pulley Retrieve is a smooth and efficient method of recovering line. It’s useful for both fly line tactics and with a Mono Rig in hand. It’s an ingrained habit for me, and I use it every day that I’m on the water. Recover more line, and recover it smoother. Why not, right? Sounds good . . .

Continue reading The Pulley Retrieve (with VIDEO) at Troutbitten.

A simple piece of Dacron, tied in a barrel, is a visible and sensitive addition to your tight line and euro nymphing rig. The versatile Backing Barrel serves as a stand-alone sighter, especially when tied with a one-inch tag. Better yet, it draws your eyes to the colored monofilament of any sighter and enhances visibility threefold. The Backing Barrel adds a third dimension of strike detection, with the Dacron flag just stiff enough to stand away from the line, but just soft enough to twitch upon even the most subtle takes . . .

Continue reading The Backing Barrel Might Be The Best Sighter Ever 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.

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.