The Tight Line Advantage for Nymphs, Indicators, Streamers and Dry Dropper | Fly Fishing | Mono Rig 

Thank you, Mark.

Thanks very much.

Cheers. Thanks for your support

Ha. It's a bad habit. Think I got that one from my Italian side.

Thanks very much

Right on. I agree completely. And that's my winter project. I plan to supplement these videos produced by Wilds Media with some of my own fish-along, GoPro videos. It'll be fun, and you'll see what you want to see.

If you keep the sighter up, you will see a tight line presentation WITHOUT the indicator as well. If you drop the sighter on the water, though, you will lose it, thinking that you can't see it. I encounter this all the time on guide trips. However, if you're sighter is thin and poorly designed, you may still not see it. Don't start with 3X or 4X sighters. It's an unnecessary handicap. And if you still can't see you're sighter, use a Backing Barrel with a tag. troutbitten.com/2021/10/08/the-backing-barrel-might-be-the-best-sighter-ever/ There is always a solution.

Right on. Thanks for being part of it too.

I agree. Although, at more than 25 to 30 feet with a nymph of about 50 cg, or with a dry fly at about 20 feet, trying to go full tight line hurts the drift more than it helps -- too much line sag/drag. Cheers.

Good stuff, Doug. Glad to hear it's your success. And it's impossible to run out of topics.

Thank you, Joe. Good to hear from you.

Love hearing that.

You nailed it. At longer distances you NEED a line hand. troutbitten.com/2022/07/27/video-fly-fishing-the-mono-rig-you-need-a-line-hand/ Pure tight lining is great to about thirty feet. Beyond that, you start to lose the tight line advantage. Then you can push 5-10 more feet by using an indy and taking tight line principles to the indy, as shown in the video. Good luck out there.

Thank you

Cheers.

Thank you.

Cheers.

Cheers.

in the wind maybe try to use a bobber style indy (thingamabobber or airlock)- helps you cast as opposed to the yarn dorsey indy and you can achieve tight line to the bobber. Dont need your sighter to be up in the wind catching it like a sail.

@@martinhodell8465 That's it.

Wind is not problem for a Mono Rig approach. Use the tight line to the indy style. Combine the best of both worlds, and love your life. Lots on the Troutbitten website about this: troutbitten.com/2017/02/14/tight-line-nymphing-with-an-indicator-a-mono-rig-variant/

@Troutbitten and @Martin Hodell . Tried it but not really for me. I feel like I have a mudeye under a float and I'm bait fishing. I've sort of developed a technique. I keep myself directly downstream of the drift and let almost all the line onto the water so the wind doesn't catch it, then just take up the slack. It works, but it's not quite the same. I guess when I think about it, it's still tight line, just not with line off the water.

HI Martin. Thanks. Glad you like the video. My answer is that it's already there for you. In each style, we showed what it looks like as the fly, indy or dry fly hits the water. The sighter stays up and is immediately in a leading position. But I think what you would like is a casting shot from further back. However, you can't have both shots in one. The hardest thing about filming a Mono Rig style is seeing the line. There's no way to see the cast AND sticking the landing in the same shot -- just can't happen. However, I did a casting vs lobbing video where I show what the cast to all of this looks like. It is here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Kcjvow4IfD4.html&ab_channel=Troutbitten It should be pretty easy for you to put the two videos to use and understand what to do, I think. Lastly, be sure to find ALL of the Mono Rig content on Troutbitten. Hundreds of articles are HERE: troutbitten.com/the-mono-rig/ Hope that helps. And thanks for watching.

Totally agree, and I make that point in the video. I'm not a Tenkara fan, because to me it's much too limiting. troutbitten.com/2018/05/30/the-trouble-with-tenkara-and-why-you-dont-need-it-2/ However, you are right -- the principle is very much the same. Cheers.

I’m not sure on the whole new level thing? Dry tight line is basically tenkara that’s hundred of years old. Subsurface nymph, streamer is basically old school wet fly fishing, sans the swing. Also hundreds of years old. OGs been doing this stuff for years, just with more primitive main lines and leaders. We worked with what we had available.

@@serpent6710 Hi there. I agree on all your points. Nothing is new. And I've made the same points through many, many of my articles. The next level comment in the video had nothing to do with tactics. It was all about me finally nailing the intro to a video instead of needing multiple takes to get it. Keep watching and reading and listening to Troutbitten stuff. You'll see that I don't take myself very seriously. Cheers.

For sure

Hi Ed, Windy days are EXACTLY one of the reasons I will switch to a suspender (indy or dry) on a tight line rig. The suspender provides an anchor point to the surface against the wind. Here are a few tricks: -- The cast must be powerful and must finish low. Underpowered rods (2 and 3 weights) are a poor choice for this -- likewise, underpowered and thin leaders are bad. Use a Troutbitten Standard Mono Rig build. troutbitten.com/2021/03/14/design-and-function-of-the-troutbitten-standard-mono-rig/ -- After the cast, just a bit of line may need to be laid in the water, to help anchor against strong wind. -- Approach angles may need to be adjusted to work with the wind and stop fighting it, but once the rig is on the water, the suspender will move very little or not at all, if the above tactics are followed. -- Keep the rod tip lower so there is less leader in the air (less sail for the wind). Use line hand recovery to pick up slack. -- Lastly, you can't beat a solid indy (bobber style) in heavy wind. It's very good. I did this yesterday at 35 feet in strong wind. There is ALWAYS a solution. Hope that helps. Cheers.

Thanks for your kind words. People have asked me about gear in the vest before. I guess I'll do it sometime. I just feel like gear and how you carry it is more of a personal choice/style thing. And what works for me may not be best for others. I can make that point in an article or video though. Thanks for the suggestion.

@@Troutbitten oh I get it. Definitely personal choice. Just thought it might be fun to see what you might find in there as well. Like, one of those pockets gotta be like the junk drawer at home. Lol. Like your buddy Bill. I got all the packs. But lately. I’ve gone back to the vest. Like you say. One vest is all you need to be a Versatile Angler. Thanks again sir.

Thanks for your compliment about the writing. Cheers. "One thing that would compromise the indy and dry tight lines you’re demonstrating is wind, however . . . I don’t get to fish nearly as often as I’d like but it seems like every time I do there is always at least some wind that would make those 2 styles nearly impossible to fish." Respectfully, I don't agree with this. In fact, windy days are EXACTLY one of the reasons I will switch to a suspender (indy or dry) on a tight line rig. The suspender provides an anchor point to the surface against the wind. Here are a few tricks: -- The cast must be powerful and must finish low. Underpowered rods (2 and 3 weights) are a poor choice for this -- likewise, underpowered and thin leaders are bad. Use a Troutbitten Standard Mono Rig build. troutbitten.com/2021/03/14/design-and-function-of-the-troutbitten-standard-mono-rig/ -- After the cast, just a bit of line may need to be laid in the water, to help anchor against strong wind. -- Approach angles may need to be adjusted to work with the wind and stop fighting it, but once the rig is on the water, the suspender will move very little or not at all, if the above tactics are followed. -- Lastly, you can't beat a solid indy (bobber style) in heavy wind. It's very good. I did this yesterday at 35 feet in strong wind. There is ALWAYS a solution. Hope that helps. Cheers.

@@Troutbitten I suppose I should have clarified my point a bit. The flies can certainly still be delivered to the target in windy conditions, I was more referencing the drift. I’ve often seen wind turn a leader into a sail which in turn starts dragging the indy across the water’s surface. Once that happens the nymphs are no longer where they were (or belong) and are certainly moving unnaturally.

@@FishFearMe Right on. I understand. But I will say, it can still be dealt with. Same way as I described above. Also keep the rod tip low and use lots of line hand recovery. Again, I did exactly this yesterday in big wind. That's the answer. Cheers.

Thank you. First Lite.

Good stuff. Agreed, all tight line systems are close range. And taking that range too far is a big mistake. The Fundamental Mistake of Tight Line and Euro Nymphing Anglers: troutbitten.com/2021/06/13/the-fundamental-mistake-of-tight-line-and-euro-nymphing-anglers/ That pure tight line range really ends around 30 feet. But truth be told, almost all good river angling happens withing that distance anyway, dry flies included. Sure we push it. I understand that. Especially with streamers and dries. When I want to push the range with streamers on a tight line, that is very easy -- you can fish streamers on a tight line easily to 40-45 feet -- even more on a boat: Fly Fishing With Streamers on the Mono Rig: troutbitten.com/2017/03/01/bill-dance-and-jimmy-houston-go-fly-fishing-the-mono-rig-for-streamers/ And when I want to take nymphs beyond that pure tight line range, I choose to an an indy to the system: Tight Line Nymphing With an Indicator: troutbitten.com/2017/02/14/tight-line-nymphing-with-an-indicator-a-mono-rig-variant/ If you dig into those articles and follow the contained links, you'll find hundreds of articles that sort all this out for you. Troutbitten contains book's worth of tactics for you. Hope that helps. Cheers.

Hi there. Inventory: yes, planning on January again. Attaching the Mono Rig: This is probably one of the most asked questions. It's just a leader, so treat it that way. Put it on a fly line that matches the rod. Do not limit yourself by attaching it just to backing. I like using a fly lines when it's the best tool, so I want it on my reel. troutbitten.com/2018/09/30/fly-fishing-the-mono-rig-q-a-lines-rigging-and-the-skeptics/ Also these . . . Get Me Back To My Fly Line troutbitten.com/2017/03/21/get-me-back-to-my-fly-connecting-and-disconnecting-the-mono-rig/ Loop to Loop is Bad. Try Attaching Your Leader This Way: troutbitten.com/2019/03/06/loop-to-loop-is-bad-try-attaching-your-leader-to-the-fly-line-this-way/ Lighting Fast Leader Changes, with VIDEO troutbitten.com/2022/05/05/lightning-fast-leader-changes-with-video/ Hope that helps.

@@Troutbitten thank you it does. I would also say that since I switched to a clinch knot to attach my leader I have become so much more efficient. Thank you, Stephen G.

@@PNWflyfishingsteve Nice. That does make a very big difference.

Ah, well that's easy. Here ya go: The Dorsey Yarn Indicator: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-kLgGPjXe_fA.html Be sure to find the link to the companion article in the description of that video. It will take you over to Troutbitten, where you can learn a lot more about the whole thing that you would every think is necessary -- and yet, it is.

@@Troutbitten Just watched and read. Perfect. Thanks for this. and all you do!!

@@patsheridan Right on.

@@Troutbitten You have one of the most generous, down-to-earth, informative, short-and-to-the-point fly fishing channels in existence. You are a bit of a treasure . . .

Ha. That's nice, man. Very kind.

Hi Kenny. A couple others have commented about wind as well. Wind does not take away your tight line advantage. You simply need to adjust some things . . . First, keep the rod low and use your line hand for recovery: Here's a video on that: troutbitten.com/2022/07/27/video-fly-fishing-the-mono-rig-you-need-a-line-hand/ Second, the cast must be powerful and must finish low. Underpowered rods (2 and 3 weights) are a poor choice for this -- likewise, underpowered and thin leaders are bad. Use a Troutbitten Standard Mono Rig build. troutbitten.com/2021/03/14/design-and-function-of-the-troutbitten-standard-mono-rig/ Third, after the cast, just a bit of line may need to be laid in the water, to help anchor against strong wind. Fourth, approach angles may need to be adjusted to work with the wind and stop fighting it, but once the rig is on the water, the suspender will move very little or not at all, if the above tactics are followed. And finally, you can't beat a solid indy (bobber style) in heavy wind. It's very good. I've fished out west and I've fished in a lot of big wind. One of our best Troutbitten lives and fishes in Montana. He knows about wind. He fishes a tight line rig almost all the time. Cheers.

@@Troutbitten During my October Trout Bum Month in CO, I decided to leave my lifetime of conventional indicator nymphing behind completely. 100%. I was determined to apply this long micro-line & leader and line-off-the-water approach. These CO / NM waters are well-known to me, and I had all month to work some things out before Mother Nature chased me away. The greatest decision I ever made was to abandon any notion of "competition rule restrictions." When I did that, everything fell into place. The Tuck Cast and sighter/line off the water doubled my hook-up rate (the habit of always setting the hook at pick-up and re-cast is productive too!) I only wish I had figured that out earlier. The new-to-me long light 2 & 3 wt rods took some serious getting used to as I'm used to a much quieter rod tip. The long light rods were easily up to the task of handling larger trout, and they did afford me and my 6'-6" frame even more distance from wary wild trout. I think the greatest change for me is learning to "see" the strike at the sighter rather than "feeling" the strike when fishing nymphs only and no indicator. Being able to change colors until you see your sighter is huge! I tried several combinations before I found a combo that worked in each set of conditions. I even decided to go for some brutes on the San Juan using my 10.5 ft 3 wt micro leader setup. I would never dream I'd be fishing 6x on the San Juan, but I lost only one pig, and it was entirely me being a bonehead. I sure did get some stares on the San Juan, but nobody dared to ask me why I was catching so many fish. I think most thought I was dry fly fishing. For next time: As you suggest, I will tie up some heavier leaders, bring my 4wt or 5wt shorter rods, and do as you suggest. Your site has been valuable for helping me break old habits and think to outside the box. The versatility of fishing results is fantastic, from spring creeks to big waters. I cannot say thank you enough for sharing your ideas and experience. TL, Kenny

@@kennymanchester I love all of that. Fantastic, Kenny. Good to hear it.

I think Dom mentioned earlier that he uses Chameleon 20lb as the Mono Rig standard- but OPST shows up better for the videos.

@@martinhodell8465 Exactly

@@martinhodell8465 Hi Martin. I only use the OPST for the butt section when filming, because we have a chance at showing the leader with the color. I much prefer Maxima Chameleon. Here's why . . . troutbitten.com/2021/03/14/design-and-function-of-the-troutbitten-standard-mono-rig/

Oh my, no. Definitely not. One of the troubles with an ultra light approach is that is has no power built in the leader. So you CAN throw a dry dropper with the micro leader, but you must reply on the weight of the fly for the cast. You therefore might need a heavier fly, because the leader can't do any of the work of PUSHING the fly out there. Or you can water haul it all the time, which is fine but limiting. (Nobody seems to mention these deficiencies.) Here a couple of links to help out with these concepts. troutbitten.com/2021/02/07/thin-and-micro-thin-leaders-for-euro-nymphing-and-the-mono-rig/ troutbitten.com/2023/03/15/mono-rigs-and-euro-leaders-micro-thin-or-standard-with-video/ Have fun out there.

Right on. At that point you are pretty much fishing a classic upstream nymphing approach. I've written about that here: troutbitten.com/2021/02/17/regarding-classic-upstream-nymphing/ It takes away the tight line advantage. But if it starts with a tuck cast, we have a chance. Cheers.

@@Troutbitten Just read the article. I had no idea the induced take was a book move. But, yes, that is exactly what i was driving at.

@@philipvankampen3394 Right on.

Hi Daniel. Good question. And I have some recommendations. First, sure, you can fish dries on the Standard Mono Rig build. (You can't fish them on a Thin or Micro Thin build.) The Standard build casts like a fly line and fishes small dries remarkably well -- with some limitations. I have a Troutbitten article detailing the specifics of all that here . . . Troutbitten -- Dry Flies on The Mono Rig. troutbitten.com/2019/09/25/dry-flies-on-the-mono-rig/ Second, I strongly recommend being versatile on the water. Don't decide that you will euro nymph today and fish streamers tomorrow. Keep your options open -- it's more fun. To do that, choose a setup that allows for quick and easy leader changes, and keep a real fly line on your spool -- not a euro line. Carrying an extra spool or an extra reel is WAY too much of a hassle and completely unnecessary. You can change leaders in about a minute. Here's a Troutbitten video for leader changes. Troutbitten: Lighting Fast Leader Changes: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-4xmgbTfyNsg.html Make sense?

@@Troutbitten Exactly the info I was hoping for - thanks for taking the time, its much appreciated man !

@@allkite Cheers

@@Troutbitten Last question - I DO use a micro-thin leader setup when Euro Nymphing with Euro line. In that case, would I just cut off my "euro leader' and then attach the Dry Fly Mono Rig to my micro loop at the end of my euro line ?

I don't mean to be difficult, but respectfully, there is no Dry Fly Mono Rig. There is what I call the Standard Mono Rig, and it can pull double duty and fish dry flies quite well, but with limitations. I think this article will help: Design and Function of the Troutbitten Standard Mono Rig troutbitten.com/2021/03/14/design-and-function-of-the-troutbitten-standard-mono-rig/ In that one, you can follow MANY other articles that will break down the whole system much better than I can here. Last thing: I think if you want to fish dry flies, then use a fly line and a dedicated dry fly leader. That's why I recommended the other article about keeping regular fly line on the reel spool, so you can USE it. Dry fly fishing, with a fly line, is unbeatable and it should not be missed. The transition between leaders and tactics is quite easy. I promise. Here's another applicable article: Get Me Back To My Fly Line troutbitten.com/2017/03/21/get-me-back-to-my-fly-connecting-and-disconnecting-the-mono-rig/

My friend, I promise that all of your answers are there for you at your fingertips. I don't leave you hanging. I included 5 important links within this video. Find those (upper right of the video). I also included the companion article in the description, and within that article, there are at least ten links to even more articles. The supporting information is here for you, on the Troutbitten RU-vid channel and on the website. As I mentioned in the article, there are 200+ articles on this Mono Rig style over at Troutbitten. Here is the link to the Mono Rig page: troutbitten.com/2021/10/08/the-backing-barrel-might-be-the-best-sighter-ever/ And this will directly answer your rod questions: The Best Fly Rods for the Mono Rig and Euro Nymphing troutbitten.com/2021/09/22/the-best-fly-rods-for-the-mono-rig-and-euro-nymphing-my-favorite-rods/ Cheers.

@@Troutbitten thanks a million, I will checkout all these other resources. Appreciate all your work and teachings!

PA. Visit troutbitten.com.

@@Troutbitten awesome... western Pa here

Nice