On our largest trout streams many anglers believe they catch their largest trout with streamers which mimic minnows and rely on flies such as the Murray’s Sculpin and Shenk’s White Streamer. Other anglers insist they are more successful with nymphs and do well with the Mr. Rapidan Bead Head Nymph and the Murray’s Professor Nymph.
A very effective technique is to fish a two fly rig to cover both needs.
For example, you can use a 9′ 4X leader and attach a size 8 Shenk’s White Streamer to this. Attach a 36 inch piece of 5X mono to the streamer hook bend with an improved clinch knot. Attach your nymph to the mono dropper.
The most effective method to fish this two fly rig is across stream with a very slow stripping action. When you set the hook do it gently because if a big trout takes your nymph on 5X it is easy to break him off on the strike. In fact, set the hooks carefully on all of these strikes because you never know if the trout is taking the nymph or the streamer.
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