In our “On The Stream Schools” for both trout and smallmouth I find that even beginning anglers can quickly master the nymph fishing method the late Charlies Brooks taught me on the Madison River. Even though Brooks used a sinking head line I find that a floating line does a great job for me in the East.
I call this technique “Swing Nymphing”. Step 1- Position yourself directly to the side of where you suspect the fish will be holding. Step 2- Your first cast is 15 feet long up and across stream at a 45 degree angle. Step 3- Allow the nymph to sink on a slack line. Step 4- Once the nymph is deep remove all of the slack line with your line hand. Step 5- Swing the fly rod downstream at the rate the nymph is drifting, keeping a tight line on the nymph with your line hand. Step 6- Set the hook firmly with both the rod and the line hand when you feel the strike. Step 7- Successive casts are made two feet longer until you are covering all of the water out to 30 feet. Wade slowly downstream pausing every 10 feet to repeat this technique and you will have great success.
For more information on fishing nymphs deeply listen to Harry’s Podcast Smallmouth Bass Podcast Part VI-Smallmouth Nymph Tactics from April to mid May
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