How to Use Dropper Flies

Dropper rigs create an advantage for anglers because they allow multiple flies to be fished on one line. The flies are connected by sections of even diameter line called tippets. The flies offer several options to the fish and increase the chances of imitating the proper food source. Dropper rigs are created with double dry flies, a dry and dropper nymph fly, multiple nymphs or double streamer flies. These are all different types of flies used to imitate the various stages of aquatic insects and other common food sources. Fishing the dropper system requires advanced casting skills to prevent tangles. Poor casting with a dropper fly results messy tangles that decrease the amount of time spent fishing.

Things You'll Need

  • Leader
  • Tippet
  • Flies
  • Silicon floatant
  • Line clippers
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Instructions

  1. Dry Fly and Dropper

    • 1

      Tie the dry fly to the end of the leader with a clinch knot. Feed the leader through the eye of the hook and wrap the tag end around the main line six times. The tag end is the end of the line being used to tie the knot. Feed the tag end through the loop created at the hook eye and pull on the leader to tighten the knot. Clip the tag end flush against the knot.

    • 2

      Measure and cut a section of tippet from a tippet spool. Use 1 foot of tippet for a double dry fly rig or dry fly-emerger rig. Use a longer section of tippet for a dry fly-nymph rig with the exact length matching the depth of the water. Tie the tippet to the bend in the dry fly hook with a clinch knot and clip the tag end.

    • 3

      Tie the free end of the tippet to the dropper fly with a clinch knot. Add silicon fly floatant to the dry fly and the leader. The floatant is available in gel and spray forms and it adds buoyancy to the dry fly.

    • 4

      Measure your cast using the dropper fly as the final measuring point. Measuring the cast from the first fly will increase the chances of casting too far and snagging the dropper fly on an object.

    Nymph and Dropper

    • 5

      Tie the larger, heavier nymph to the end of the leader with a clinch knot and clip the tag end. The heavier nymph acts as a weight and helps sink the dropper fly. The leader is a clear, tapered section of line that attaches to the fly line.

    • 6

      Measure and cut a 10-inch section of tippet from a tippet spool. Tie one end of the tippet to the hook bend of the original nymph with a clinch knot and clip the tag end. The tippet may also be tied to the eye of the original nymph with a clinch knot.

    • 7

      Tie the free end of the tippet to the eye of the dropper fly with a clinch knot and clip the tag end.

    • 8

      Fish the double nymphs under a strike indicator for a dead drift presentation. Strike indicators are constructed from lightweight yarn and they help control the depth of the flies. Remove the strike indicator and swing the flies to imitate active insects, or drift the flies without a strike indicator to control and change the depth.

    Streamer and Dropper

    • 9

      Tie the smaller streamer to the end of the leader with a clinch knot and clip the tag end. You may also use a large nymph as the point fly in this rig. The smaller point fly will appear to be chased by the larger dropper fly.

    • 10

      Cut a 10-inch section of tippet from a tippet spool. Tie the tippet to the hook bend with a clinch knot and clip the tag end.

    • 11

      Tie the free end of the tippet to the larger streamer fly with a clinch knot and clip the tag end.

    • 12

      Fish the streamer combination in an active motion to imitate a chase. The activity is a natural occurrence and an effective method of targeting large, predatory fish. Fish the flies through deep runs and against log jams and other cover that predatory fish use as ambush points.