[Video] How-to Rig a 2-Fly Czech Nymphing Setup

November 10, 2009

A little intimidated by the thought of fishing 3 or 4 flies like the Czech’s do? So was I, and frankly it’s a bit of a pain in the butt. Not to worry though, a 2-fly Czech nymph setup works pretty darn well too.

2-Fly European Nymphing Rig

In this video tutorial Aaron Jasper of Trout Predator Online shows us how to rig a 2-fly European nymphing setup that can be used with a Czech nymphing leader or when fishing a Spanish or French style nymphing setup.

Contents

A Simple Dropper Fly Setup
Improved Surgeons Knot
Spanish / French Nymphing Techniques
More DIY Fly Fishing Articles on European Nymphing Techniques

A Simple Dropper Fly Setup

The setup as shown in the video is often used by the Spanish and French and consists of 5 feet of 5X fluorocarbon tippet material coming off a backing sighter or coiled-mono sighter to an anchor fly. A second, lighter fly, is tied off a dropper about 20-inches above the anchor fly. We will discuss how to make and use a backing sighter and coiled sighter in our next few articles on Spanish and French nymphing techniques.

The same 2-fly setup can be used to build a Czech nymphing leader, only we would not need the sighter using this short-line nymphing technique.

Improved Surgeons Knot

The dropper fly is tied in using a double or triple Surgeons Knot, as shown in the video (I know it is a little hard to see), or an Orvis Tippet Knot can be used. When using a Surgeons knot I take the dropper tag and throw a half-hitch above the Surgeons Knot. This makes the dropper come off the leader at more of a right angle and helps reduce tangles. The Surgeons and Orvis Tippet Knots are illustrated at Orvis Animated Knots.

Note: When tying in the dropper make sure to attach the fly to the lower tag end of the Surgeons Knot. If you use the upper tag (the one going back toward the fly line) the knot will come apart. I learned this the hard way, several times!

Spanish / French Nymphing Techniques

Spanish nymphing and French nymphing techniques; are they all that different? Find out in our next article on how to build a French/Spanish nymphing leader as our mini-series on European nymphing techniques continues.

Enjoy!