Dry Dropper Tactics

Fly Fishing a Dry Dropper Rig 


Suspending a nymph under a dry fly is an extremely exciting and effective tactic when fly fishing for trout The visual aspect of focusing on the dry fly while also targeting trout that are feeding subsurface makes this a favorite of mine on both rivers and lakes throughout the season, but is most effective late spring through fall.  Let’s dig into some of  the finer details that will help you catch trout with a dry dropper rig. 

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There are a huge variety of situations where you can employ the dry dropper, and with each situation there are different leader set ups that should be used. If there is a chance fish will be eating a dry fly, giving the dry dropper rig a try is highly recommended. I’ll focus here on three main situations: small and midsized rivers, large rivers, and Stillwater’s. In all of these situations it is important to match the size of the dry fly to the weight of the nymph(s).  The dry needs to float, but also not be so buoyant that subtle takes on the nymph will not be noticed until it’s too late.


Small and Midsized streams are where you will find a dedicated dry dropper rod in my hand a majority of the time.  Shorter casts and drifts, small casting targets and varying currents create situations where achieving a perfect presentation are a challenge.  The solution in this situation is a European nymphing rod and leader. My set up is typically a 10’-11’ 2 or 3 weight rod, and a long level leader of 20-30 feet or more.  With this set up the weight of the nymph is used to cast the dry fly and leader at distances of 10-30 feet.  A long and light leader can be held off of the water with the long rod, and since little to no fly line is outside of the rod tip the dreaded sag from heavy fly line is eliminated. This allows the dry fly to suspend a nymph in tight pockets and runs and achieve a perfect dead drift that would not be possible with a traditional fly line laying on the water.  The results can be fantastic, and when fish are choosing to eat both the nymph and dry fly it can be one of the most fun ways to trout fish in my opinion.  The challenge and focus required to place both nymph and dry in small pockets is what makes this  tactic so fun. A mid sized stream suddenly becomes hundreds of small targets that may all hold trout.  It doesn’t get any better!


Larger rivers with deeper pools, long runs and wide riffles require long drifts and long casts. This situation creates a much different set of challenges for fishing a dry fly and dropper set up.  The need cast greater distances and fish a wider variety of depths calls for a different set of tools.  In this situation, a 4-5 weight fast action rod with a shorter tapered leader will allow the angler to turn over a dry and dropper. Most of the time, you will want a short 6-8’ butt section to your dry.  Often in this situation I will fish two nymphs under the dry to cover multiple water levels and imitate a wider variety of insects.  I frequently fish a bigger dry fly so that when I am forced to mend the fly line my dry fly does not sink.  


Stillwaters are another situation where I run a dry and dropper. Rods and leader are similar to that of a larger river, however sometimes I will run a longer 10’ rod up to 6 weight.  This is because a long rod is handy for keeping fly line off of the water when you are casting from a seated position such as a canoe or float tube.  I will also run longer distances from my dry fly to the nymphs to cover more water depths.  I like the dry dropper leading up to a hex hatch for instance, when the first bugs are starting to hatch but the majority of fish are still feeding on nymphs. I also suggest trying a dry dropper when trout appear to mostly be feeding subsurface, but stripping buggers and nymphs is not working.  There are times when trout want flies static under the surface.  


Whatever situation you find yourself in this fishing season don’t overlook the dry dropper rig. Every hour on the water is different, sometimes you’ll find the dry to be more effective than the nymph, and other times the dry is acting purely like an indicator, but if there’s a chance a trout will eat a dry fly, it’s best not to miss it.

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There are a huge variety of situations where you can employ the dry dropper, and with each situation there are different leader set ups that should be used. If there is a chance fish will be eating a dry fly, giving the dry dropper rig a try is highly recommended. I’ll focus here on three main situations: small and midsized rivers, large rivers, and Stillwater’s. In all of these situations it is important to match the size of the dry fly to the weight of the nymph(s).  The dry needs to float, but also not be so buoyant that subtle takes on the nymph will not be noticed until it’s too late.


Small and Midsized streams are where you will find a dedicated dry dropper rod in my hand a majority of the time.  Shorter casts and drifts, small casting targets and varying currents create situations where achieving a perfect presentation are a challenge.  The solution in this situation is a European nymphing rod and leader. My set up is typically a 10’-11’ 2 or 3 weight rod, and a long level leader of 20-30 feet or more.  With this set up the weight of the nymph is used to cast the dry fly and leader at distances of 10-30 feet.  A long and light leader can be held off of the water with the long rod, and since little to no fly line is outside of the rod tip the dreaded sag from heavy fly line is eliminated. This allows the dry fly to suspend a nymph in tight pockets and runs and achieve a perfect dead drift that would not be possible with a traditional fly line laying on the water.  The results can be fantastic, and when fish are choosing to eat both the nymph and dry fly it can be one of the most fun ways to trout fish in my opinion.  The challenge and focus required to place both nymph and dry in small pockets is what makes this  tactic so fun. A mid sized stream suddenly becomes hundreds of small targets that may all hold trout.  It doesn’t get any better!


Larger rivers with deeper pools, long runs and wide riffles require long drifts and long casts. This situation creates a much different set of challenges for fishing a dry fly and dropper set up.  The need cast greater distances and fish a wider variety of depths calls for a different set of tools.  In this situation, a 4-5 weight fast action rod with a shorter tapered leader will allow the angler to turn over a dry and dropper. Most of the time, you will want a short 6-8’ butt section to your dry.  Often in this situation I will fish two nymphs under the dry to cover multiple water levels and imitate a wider variety of insects.  I frequently fish a bigger dry fly so that when I am forced to mend the fly line my dry fly does not sink.  


Stillwaters are another situation where I run a dry and dropper. Rods and leader are similar to that of a larger river, however sometimes I will run a longer 10’ rod up to 6 weight.  This is because a long rod is handy for keeping fly line off of the water when you are casting from a seated position such as a canoe or float tube.  I will also run longer distances from my dry fly to the nymphs to cover more water depths.  I like the dry dropper leading up to a hex hatch for instance, when the first bugs are starting to hatch but the majority of fish are still feeding on nymphs. I also suggest trying a dry dropper when trout appear to mostly be feeding subsurface, but stripping buggers and nymphs is not working.  There are times when trout want flies static under the surface.  


Whatever situation you find yourself in this fishing season don’t overlook the dry dropper rig. Every hour on the water is different, sometimes you’ll find the dry to be more effective than the nymph, and other times the dry is acting purely like an indicator, but if there’s a chance a trout will eat a dry fly, it’s best not to miss it.

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