Shot placement for Nymphing

[AFISHN]

Last night I came across an article written by the great Bob Clouser(6/2005 Fly Fishing Guide) where he indicates the following shot placement for nymph fishing:

1st 6-10" above fly
2nd --if needed :10" above the 1st
3rd ---if needed 10" above the 2nd.


I was franklly surprised by this info!

My question is:what is your pattern of shot placement?

Mine is:5" above the fly;1" above the 1st, and 1" above the second
Thanks
Tom

 

[emerger]

I rig similar to Clouser. I like to spread the shot out to sink the entire leader more uniformally. Putting all the weight in one spot will sink that one spot in the leader creating a "V" shape.

One other rig that I use is to tie a dropper of about 10-12" of tippet off the bend of your bottom fly. Tie a knot in the end and put a shot or two just above the knot.

 

[Pete]

Interesting....

I seldom use shot, I prefer weighted nymphs/wets/streamers. Usually two weighted flys.

When it's unavoidable, I've been placing it just above the tippet knot. Nothing scientific, just a way to prevent it from sliding down to the fly without crimping it so tight that it weakens the tippet.

I can't remember the last time I used more than one shot, but I suppose I would have placed it just above the second knot (knotted leader).

 

[emerger]

I use as much shot as necessary to get my bugs to the bottom.

 

[epuss]

When tying on a fly I leave approx. a 6" tag to which I add my shot(s).

 

[Ditchrat]

Im have been getting in the habit of placing no weight about my first fly. Now I am placing the shot halfway between the dropper and the top fly normally 8-10" of tippet on either side of the shot.

If I am using glo bugs made of mcfly foam I place the shot 4" below it(normally the top fly) and I end up with the egg rolling just above the bottom.

The added bonus is a lapse of attention normally results in the loss of shot and dropper fly and not both flies.

 

[Karel]

I typically use one of the tiny "green" shots that are environmentally ok about 3" above the attractor fly and add some sink putty to play with the required weight to get the flies down. The green shot helps that the putty is not sliding down to the fly. I then add the dropper on about 18" of tippet one size smaller to the hook eye of the first fly (that fly sticks out at an 90 degree from the tippet). This fly tipically get's the attention of the fish and I catch about 80% of the fish with this rig on the smaller point fly. The other day I had the weight more like 6" above the first fly and it worked very well, too. I guess you can play with it and find out what works best for you. By the way, I now tie all my nymphs without weight or beads - it gives me more flexibility how deep to fish them - from surface film to all the way down.

That's my 2c.