Burgie Loc: NE Iowa

Hey all! I have a question pertaining to euro nymphing vs. indicator nymphing vs. what I do. I listen to a podcast yesterday talking about indicator fishing with nymphs. I gathered from the podcast that nymph fishing is typically done with an indicator attached to your leader. The reason why I haven’t ever added an indicator is that I feel the casting is a little more challenging, and I worry that my flies are not getting down deep enough to the fish. I generally Fish in the Upper Iowa river (for those that have been around Decorah, ia) and depth can be hard to figure. I have had a lot of success fishing without an indicator, but as I said, the podcast I listened to made it see unusual to fish without one. I know virtually nothing about euro nymphing other than they use long leaders and no indicator (please correct me if I’m wrong). I typically nymph fish with a 4 weight, 9 ft leader, 5ft of tipit to the first fly, and about 18” to the second fly. Fly sizes are generally #12 to 14 BH. My question is- is my style odd? Is this more of a euro nymph in style with a short leader? Again, after listening yesterday I feel that I might be missing out on a better style of fishing. Don’t get me wrong, what I’m doing is working but I’m just looking for someone to clarify. I guess I could’ve shortened the question up by asking what is euro nymphing, and why is indicator fishing so great?? Lol. Any and all thoughts are appreciated! Tight lines!!

Slimshady Loc: Central Pennsylvania

Why change if it’s working. I don’t know anything about using an indicator but it may not work for you

Fish4fun Loc: Clinton, NJ & Venice, FL

My 2 cents-
Euro nymphing you have a relatively short, tight line down to your nymph so you can easily feel a soft hit. An indicator is useful to give an indication of a hit when you have more line out working a larger section of water. There’s all kinds of indicators. Some are more sensitive than others. Casting with a small one on isn’t really any harder than casting without one in my opinion. I use basically the same casting stroke with dry flies as I do when nymphing with an indicator.

bself2 Loc: va beach

tie a small piece of colored string or ribbon;no need for float

Mark V Loc: Colorado,now RV full time we winter in MesaAZ

Consult YouTube. Euro nymphing rods a set ups

Fish Bonzer Loc: Carlsbad Oceanside

Fish4fun is spot on, euro nymphing is basically a tight line to the bottom fly vs indactor (AKA a bobber) yep i said it a bobber. It’s great for casting and when you can’t or do not want a tight line for example when you need to mend in a stream, it’s rather easy to cast. Usually it is set up so the bottom fly is just clear of hitting the bottom a bit, with an occasional bump on a rock in a stream. If your doing fine without an indicator or multi-clolor line to see strikes your doing great! I think your technic would be great on a hot day when the fish might be 20ft down from a boat, you would need a long leader to reach the fish.

Cheers!

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

At 15.5' from end of fly line to beadhead terminal fly, and assuming a floating line being used, I would certainly anticipate some amount of snagging to occur in any water that is less than 10'-12', possibly a bit less in fast-moving current.
My nymphing experience has mostly been on lakes, casting towards shore or a slow-crawl "troll" along shoreline or across an inlet arm.
As for "indicator" use, nothing beats Canadian guide Brian Chan's nymphing indicator choice......a small water balloon from the Dollar Store (okay.... it's now $1.25....), SUCK don't blow (yes, there is more than one use of that phrase...lol !) to inflate to, at very most, end of thumb-size. Tie off with overhand knot, use another over hand knot around a tapered leader, voila'.... easily adjustable, highly visible, near nothingness while casting, readily available.....and not a single fly fishing gear supplier offers any comparable product at even FIFTY TIMES THE COST (unless they lowered the price of those (imo) worthless "foam-foldovers").....a bag of 100 brightly colored balloons for $1.25, and ZERO DAMAGE to your line. Can even be placed on a "sinking line", to emulate a "sink tip", if you truly need some depth.
I often use a "hopper-dropper" set-up, with a foam hopper (#8-#12?) as my "indicator", and drop a Copper John or beadhead Prince Nymph or even two.
Always fun and educational to try new-to-you rigs, but I also abide by the adage of "if it ain't broke, don't try to 'fix' it"...... but do make sure that the "fun" is still present.

Good luck and (so apropos for sure, since the subject actually WAS euro-nymphing... hehehe) Tight Lines, buddy !

Fish Bonzer Loc: Carlsbad Oceanside

Fixorfish I love hopper dropper combo, it works great and it’s the best of both worlds! Great suggestion on the ballon indicator.

Mark V Loc: Colorado,now RV full time we winter in MesaAZ

Check the YouTube channel Euronymphing with George Daniel. This explains euro nymphing very well. This is only one of many videos available on the subject.
Mark

Burgie Loc: NE Iowa

I’m liking the hopper/dropper idea! Thanks for you thoughts and ideas.

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

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