Applied copying

[Tom Butler]

I hadn't had too much luck fishing multiple flies on a lake without an indicator, one fly always seemed to work best. I don't think I ever had them more than about 20-24" apart. I fished my same type 6, a short 4' leader to a black bugger on a 6" double surgeons tag dropper, then 36" to a thin mint. Two to start casting practice, with no tangles.

The water is still up 7' and off-color but really nice for this time of year. I got out just as the last thunderstorm left.

The black fly originally set up as the dropper was better, but both worked, and I even got a double on the way in.

All the better fish preferred thin mints

 

[Tom Butler]

Since it's seldom I fish in the rain I took the same setup to the lake this morning to see what's up.

After an hour and all the fish coming to the black fly on the dropper I changed out the thin mint for one with a red tail like a zulu

The point fly then began getting the better fish again

 

[Tom Butler]

I loved @Dave Westburg 's post and was intrigued by the 3 fly setup. I like multiple flies for testing and just plain presentation and productivity in rivers for sure. Did a little searching and took Dave's leader setup. Tried it today. Clipped my 10# indicator leader at 6', put the ring back on, then 3' 8# to a blue zulu on the dropper, 3' 6# to a Kate McLaren on a dropper, then 3' 4# to a bugger, just to be sure. Not really the idea lake or day, but it's what I set out to do.
The dry line technique was not so hot, but I clipped it at the ring and rigged it to the full sink type 6. The blue zule was almost as good as the bugger.

 

[Dave Westburg]

I loved @Dave Westburg 's post and was intrigued by the 3 fly setup. I like multiple flies for testing and just plain presentation and productivity in rivers for sure. Did a little searching and took Dave's leader setup. Tried it today. Clipped my 10# indicator leader at 6', put the ring back on, then 3' 8# to a blue zulu on the dropper, 3' 6# to a Kate McLaren on a dropper, then 3' 4# to a bugger, just to be sure. Not really the idea lake or day, but it's what I set out to do.
View attachment 21546View attachment 21547The dry line technique was not so hot, but I clipped it at the ring and rigged it to the full sink type 6. The blue zule was almost as good as the bugger.
View attachment 21548

Just throw a nice slow easy casting loop to avoid tangles.

The scots tie their zulus with a short tail of wool (I use flourescent red antron) and their Kate McLaren's with golden pheasant crest tails but it looks like your streamy tails worked just as well.

I fished in Scotland with the fly fishing writer Neil Patterson and noticed that he used tippet rings as well to tie his droppers to. That way he didn't have to cut the leader and retie a blood knot when the dropper end got too short.

 

[Tom Butler]

Just throw a nice slow easy casting loop to avoid tangles.

The scots tie their zulus with a short tail of wool (I use flourescent red antron) and their Kate McLaren's with golden pheasant crest tails but it looks like your streamy tails worked just as well.

I fished in Scotland with the fly fishing writer Neil Patterson and noticed that he used tippet rings as well to tie his droppers to. That way he didn't have to cut the leader and retie a blood knot when the dropper end got too short.

Thanks Dave. I was short materials when I started looking at fly patterns. You post was inspiring. So many ways to practice the sport of fly fishing. Once I get a bit more practice I'll give it try with one of 8' bamboo rods instead of the 10'er.