Here’s another great on-the-water tip from John Herzer of Blackfoot River Outfitters, in Missoula, Montana If you fish dry-dropper combinations, this may be a smack-your-forehead moment, as you ask, “Why didn’t I think of that?” As long as you’re not scared of knots, this is a great way to make your dry-dropper rigs cast better, avoid tangles, and keep the flies separate on the water.
By using a short piece of heavier tippet at the top of the dropper line and then attaching some lighter tippet, he creates a tapered dropper–which makes a heck of a lot of sense. Of course, you can adjust the tippet sizes of the tapered dropper in relation to the size of your main tippet. So, for instance, your system could look like this: 4X to the fly, 8 inches of 4X below the fly, attached to 18 inches of 5X. I can’t wait to give it a try.
Great tip! Will give it a try.
Why not skip the 3x section on the dropper and go right from 2x to 4x?
Fantastic tip! I will definitely be trying this. Hopefully I’ll spend more time fishing and less time untangling!
Good idea. Not too useful in shallow water. Farmington in CT has been very low due to drought. Success has come using 6-8″ dropper.
So, just curious, but do you notice fewer hookups on the attractor that now has two stiff pieces of mono coming off of either end?
Hi, I’m writing from Calgary Alberta, Canada and using anything with lead for fishing here is illegal like the split shots from the US that don’t slide on the line when you cast. Where about on the fly line would I put a split shot and how would I prevent it from sliding? Are there any videos out there that show you how to tie the leader to the fly line and put the tippit and split shot and fly on for trout fishing.
Mike Wallington
youngfrank2@hotmail.com
Great idea, thanks.