Nymphing for rainbow trout is not why we all got into this hobby. We wanted to watch trout take dries on the surface or feel or streamer come to a halt as a fish hits our fly. However, if you want to catch as many fish as possible then you need to be nymphing for rainbow trout.
What is Nymphing
Nymphing is when you use a fly that imitates an insect in its larval stage. 90% of a trout’s diet is going to be subsurface. Even though they’re not as much fun as throwing dries it just makes sense to throw something you know trout will be looking for.
Often you’ll fish a nymph beneath an indicator. This is going to you see if a trout has taken your fly. The indicator will either dart, stop, or go under. If it does anything besides float down the current you should set the hook just to be safe.
Different Types of Nymphing
We touched briefly on the nymphing for rainbow trout with an indicator in the paragraph above. That is the most popular way because of how easy it is. However, there are some other ways you can also try out.
Dry Dropper
A dry dropper is where you are throwing a dry fly and a nymph at the same time. The dry is usually a larger fly like a terrestrial, stimulator, or just a large dry fly. Then you tie a few feet of tippet to either the shank of the hook or to the eye of the hook. At the end of that tippet, you connect your nymph.
The dry fly works as your indicator. On top of that, you now have an extra fly in the water, giving you an extra chance at catching a fish. These are a personal favorite. However, the biggest problem is adjusting the nymph to meet the after depth.
You want the nymph to be hitting the bottom. So, if you move to a new spot with a different depth then you would need to re-tie in order to make sure you’re fishing the fly properly.
Bobber
If you’re new to fly fishing then you’ll soon find out that other anglers call bobbers, “indicators.” Don’t worry, these are the same thing just with a different name.
The bobber is attached to your leader and can easily slide up and down the line when you loosen it. Making it great for hopping from spot to spot without having to re-tie every time you do so. It is a real time saver and lets you keep your fly in the water longer.
Often, the strikes on your nymph will only cause a subtle reaction from the bobber. This could be a sudden stop or a slight jolt to the side. This is one of two things. Your fly hitting something or a trout eating your nymph. I cannot tell the difference and would be wary if someone said they could. No matter what you should set the hook to be safe.
Euro Nymphing
Depending on what excites you about fly fishing this could either be a boring way to fish or the best. Either way, it is definitely one of the most productive ways to catch trout.
Instead of using a fly, or an indicator/bobber you use what’s called a sighter. This is a piece of monofilament line attached to your tippet.
Typically you will be using a longer rod, around 10′, and a light tippet with heavy nymphs. The heavier nymphs sink in the water column quicker and get to where the trout are. You won’t be casting very far. Only flipping the fly as far as the rod tip. Keeping the line tight you watch the sighter for any sudden movements.
The light tippet keeps the fly looking as natural as possible and the lighter rod helps detect any strikes. Euro nymphing is most effective in water that is between 18″ and 6′. Any less or more and you begin to lose the effectiveness of the technique.
Double Nymph Rig
Throwing two nymphs at once is a great way to increase hookups and figure out what the trout are looking for. It can be difficult to cast so you need to be mindful that you keep a wide loop to ensure they don’t tangle in each other.
The lead fly will need to be bigger or the same size as your back fly. Tying a stonefly or wooly bugger on as the lead fly is a good way to start. Then drop a hares ear or pheasant tail off the back. Just keep in mind what type of forage the trout are going after that day and adapt accordingly.
Flies
If you’re going to be nymphing for rainbows then you need to have at least one of the files listed below in you’re fly box.
Pheasant Tail
Doesn’t matter what kind of trout you’re chasing, the pheasant tail should always be in your fly box. It imitates a wide variety of insects in their larval stage. Making it a great fly for year-round use. Have several different sizes on you as that can make all difference with this fly.
Zebra Midge
The zebra midge is one of the most effective flies in your fly box. Rainbow, brown, and brook trout snack on these guys year-round, and these will be your best bet during the winter when there’s not much insect activity. You may think that trout will have a hard time seeing these because of how small they are, but that just simply isn’t true.
Trout are looking for two things all day, predators and food. They don’t have bills, a mortgage, or even a car payment. Their focus will be on eating and staying alive so even throwing a size 22 midge will still be large enough for them to see.
Rainbow Warrior
Rainbow warrior nymphs are a great situational fly. They are brightly colored and when the trout aren’t actively feeding the colors on this fly can help induce a strike. If you know you’ve got the fly ticking bottom and getting a good drift but they’re still not eating you should try out the rainbow warrior.
The best use of this fly is to use it as the lead fly on a double nymph rig. Tie this fly on first and then drop a midge off of the shank or eye of the hook a few feet down. Fish will see the rainbow warrior coming a mile away and swim towards it. They may not take it, but directly following it will be the midge.
Final Thoughts
These flies and techniques are a great way to get started in nymphing for rainbow trout. Did I miss any? What’s your favorite way to nymph for rainbow trout? Comment below!
