Washing line method

[HappyHunter]

Gents,

Still very new to fly fishing with less than a handful of lessons under my belt. One of which I was introduced to the washing line style.

Hitting a reservoir soon and going to give this a try.

Have the components but a little stumped at how the buzzers are attached.

My attempts to Google have failed.

Any advice on this?

Cheers

HH

 

[splash]

Three turn water knot

 

[splash]

But don’t go mad one dropper and point fly is maximum to start

 

[Robin]

I normally tie mine about 6ft from the leader, as splash has said three turn water knot with 18" of line for ease, then cut back one end of spare line to knot.

 

[Outback]

Pegs ..................

 

[Woodsmoke]

I used to use this method many, many years ago before epoxy buzzers were actually a thing I generally used a G&H sedge or a Muddler as the point fly, and a very sparsely-dressed Black & Peacock, Ginger Quill, Harelug, Blae & Black or the likes. As a matter of fact, I suspect I actually invented the Diawl Bach before it was actually, erm, invented I had plenty of sparse flies as I fished the Clyde & this was the general fashion at the time . . . . .

Anyhoo! I always used a blood knot to tie them to the droppers, and the fish never seemed to criticise

 

[HappyHunter]

The 3 turn water knot looks simple enough which is fortunate as I can be described as "knot blind".

I'm guessing the dropper is a lesser breaking strain?

Have some FAB's and blobs for point and a mix of epoxy buzzers.

The only time I've fished this style before was with the above and a floating line but my understanding was that rather than it all being suspended the whole lot very slowly dropped through the water collum.

Still alot to learn but enjoying this far beyond any other method.

HH

 

[Woodsmoke]

I'm guessing the dropper is a lesser breaking strain?

I always just used to use my leader nylon to form droppers by first making a loop where I wanted my dropper, then basically doing a double overhand knot and biting one end free close to the knot. Wet the knot with saliva before tightening and it'll be fine. I've taken double-figure fish on a dropper tied this way. There's an awful lot of guff talked about fly-fishing, but the truth is most of it can be simplified enormously

(2) How To Tie A Double Overhand Loop - Knot - YouTube

 

[Dunwaters]

The 3 turn water knot looks simple enough which is fortunate as I can be described as "knot blind".

I'm guessing the dropper is a lesser breaking strain?

Have some FAB's and blobs for point and a mix of epoxy buzzers.

The only time I've fished this style before was with the above and a floating line but my understanding was that rather than it all being suspended the whole lot very slowly dropped through the water collum.

Still alot to learn but enjoying this far beyond any other method.

HH

Might be no harm to just fish a single fly initially, one thing less to worry about getting caught in the landing net...

 

[kripton]

I always just used to use my leader nylon to form droppers by first making a loop where I wanted my dropper, then basically doing a double overhand knot and biting one end free close to the knot. Wet the knot with saliva before tightening and it'll be fine. I've taken double-figure fish on a dropper tied this way. There's an awful lot of guff talked about fly-fishing, but the truth is most of it can be simplified enormously

(2) How To Tie A Double Overhand Loop - Knot - YouTube

Is it essential to use standard droppers with this style of leader? - Can you use the "New Zealand" dropper style where the next part of the leader is tied directly to the bend of the hook above it. I prefer the New Zealand style as if there is a fish on the tail fly, the intermediate line/droppers are taught and less likely to flap around and get caught up - If a fish is on the top or an intermediate dropper and one of the remaining flies gets caught up there is a better chance of landing the fish as any break in the leader should come below the one on which the fish is hooked.

 

[TomT3]

As stated three turn water knot. Another still water favourite of mine is mentioned above the ‘Klink and dink’ variation -a klinkhammer with a small buzzer tied directly underneath. The klinkhammer has to be big enough to support the buzzer beneath it. You can set the depth to where ever the fish are within reason and then just sit back a watch the klinkhammer. The gentleman’s version of the bung! an exciting way to fish though although not best suited to a reservoir. I’m on Hanningfield next week-cannot wait to get on a boat and chuck some fluff!

 

[HappyHunter]

As stated three turn water knot. Another still water favourite of mine is mentioned above the ‘Klink and dink’ variation -a klinkhammer with a small buzzer tied directly underneath. The klinkhammer has to be big enough to support the buzzer beneath it. You can set the depth to where ever the fish are within reason and then just sit back a watch the klinkhammer. The gentleman’s version of the bung! an exciting way to fish though although not best suited to a reservoir. I’m on Hanningfield next week-cannot wait to get on a boat and chuck some fluff!

I'll check this out. I've had a bung out a few times with an apps worm underneath so no gentleman!

Let me know how you get on.

HH

 

[Ade8mm]

The problem with a water knot is that the dropper often twists round the leader on retrieve, especially if the dropper is long. A double blood-knot, though harder to tie, helps the dropper stay away from the leader as it comes out at a right-angle to the leader.
Also make sure you cut off the tag that comes from the point end of the leader and use the other one for your dropper. Much more secure.

 

[Sonicdmb73]

Is it essential to use standard droppers with this style of leader? - Can you use the "New Zealand" dropper style where the next part of the leader is tied directly to the bend of the hook above it. I prefer the New Zealand style as if there is a fish on the tail fly, the intermediate line/droppers are taught and less likely to flap around and get caught up - If a fish is on the top or an intermediate dropper and one of the remaining flies gets caught up there is a better chance of landing the fish as any break in the leader should come below the one on which the fish is hooked.

The problem I found with tying in in that way. Was I found it harder to catch on the “drop” flies. The line at right angles is far better. I seem to recall something that you could buy to do it easier, but learning the knots is worth the effort in the end.

 

[Tim.243]

Red worms and a pike float....

 

[FrenchieBoy]

Red worms and a pike float....

Ever tried casting a Pike Float with a weight 6 fly rod and line?

 

[Mr. Gain]

A really interesting thread... Not because of all the information so helpfully offered, but because it gives a glimpse to this non-fisherman of how our shooting chats may sound to others, i.e. total gobbledegook! (No offence meant to those who have posted on the thread or to the noble brotherhood of fishermen at large.)
On reflection, it also appears rather less angry and adversarial than much of the discourse on here. Are fishermen generally a happier and more courteous fraternity? (And what's the equivalent of calling a bullet a "head"?)

 

[FrenchieBoy]

I'm not sure that there is much difference between shooters and fishermen. Yes shooters have their own lingo/terminology and banter but quite often so do fishermen, and when all is said and done we are all "sportsmen" and fighting to keep our sport alive and safe from the antis!
I say that as both an ex shooter and an ex fisherman - Coarse, Sea and Fly!

 

[arron]

I have a mate who fishes for England and a lot still water comps ,, he says dont go less than 6lb BS or you will keep getting smashed/ loosing fish ti knot breakage

 

[limulus]

Aaron is correct. 6,8 or even 10lb leader with droppers. The stiffer lines turn the flies over better too especially if you’ve a couple of droppers on.
Fishing/shooting go hand in hand as hunting sports but the stocked waters don’t really do it for me, a bit like shooting at a deer farm, you know they’re there whereas a river....now that’s a whole new ball game. Match the hatch, find a taking fish then try and present the fly to it in a natural way...can’t beat that.