Drop-shot rig for deep nymphing?

[Stana Claus]

I was doing a little light reading last night before bedtime and came across a suggestion to leave a 4" - 6" tag end when tying on your bottom nymph then adding your split shot to that tag. The theory is to bounce the shot off the bottom, but leave the fly swinging just above that to reduce hangups on bottom dwelling debris.

Anyway, that works out to essentially be the same drop-shot rig that bass fishers have been using for soft plastics and saltwater folks have used for bottom fishing for forever, and it's a very effective technique in both of those applications. My question is, has anyone here every tried it for dredging nymphs along the bottom for trout and, if so, how did it work out for you? I may just have to give it a try the next time I go out.

[BigMax]

this could be genius if the added weight does not inhibit the natural drift of the nymph.

one of those "why didnt I think of that" moments.....

[Stana Claus]

If you are high-sticking and just letting the shot bounce along the bottom, I can't see where it would adversely affect your drift. Even with an indicator or dry/dropper rig, if you are set for the proper depth I would think it would work fine. The trick is, and what this rig may help achieve, is to get your fly all the way down to the bottom without hanging your fly up on snags as often. Oh, and I forgot to include in the original post that the author recommended tying a knot in the very end of the tag to keep the shot from sliding off.

[flyguys]

What is the shot size when fishing with this method?

[swamp]

Works like a charm,don`t tie a knot in the end of the tag end,you want the split shot to slip off instead of breaking the fly off.

[Stana Claus]

Good point, swamp. And I would think you would use the same amount of weight, or maybe even a little bit more, as you normally would to get the fly down to the bottom. Depends on the depth and speed of the water you're fishing.

[joe a]

Originally Posted by swamp

Works like a charm,don`t tie a knot in the end of the tag end,you want the split shot to slip off instead of breaking the fly off.

Use lighter tippet for the tag with the shot. It will break and the tags for the flies won't. I use this setup for multi fly rigs. I usually tie in two droppers using the bottom tag of a triple surgeon's as the tag to tie my fly to. The nice part about it is that you can change either fly without having to redo the whole rig.