"The Gorge"
Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977
Showing posts with label European nymphing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label European nymphing. Show all posts
Apr 23, 2024
Rio's New Revised Euro Leaders
Feb 28, 2024
Updates to Galvan G.E.N.
Sometime around February 2024 Galvan Fly Reels rolled out changes to the G.E.N., a very popular Euro style of fly reel. Once a full cage frame, now has been reduced back to a semi-closed frame.
"The Gorge"
Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977
"Fly Fish the World with Us"
Jun 30, 2022
Sage Sense Euro Nymph Rod
SAGE | SENSE (Euro Nymph Rod):
With the explosion of Euro Nymphing techniques in the USA in recent years, there have been a number of rods created to accommodate this specific technique. Fly fishers are discovering the amazingly effective technique and are enjoying the benefits of it, including some amazing options on rods and reels.
If you are in the market for a new rod specifically designed for Euro Nymph fishing, take a hard look at the Sage Sense Rods, which is a great mid-priced rod. The SENSE is also a medium action rod ranging in models from the traditional 3100-4 and versatile 3106-4, to the big rig 4100-4. The SENSE offers specialized treatment for dialed execution. Performance in mind for the technical game of tight line fly fishing.
The most popular size being the 10;6” 3wt version. If you are only going to get one, get the 10’6” 3 wt for greatest versatility. Another important feature is the down locking reel set which brings the weight towards the but of the rod, keeping the tip light and sensitive which is a must for a quality Euro rod.
Features:
Euro Nymphing specific action and components
Greater control of fine Euro Nymphing leaders, tippet, and flies
Tonal low glare cosmetics for stealthy approaches
Generation 5 Technology
Stealth Gray blank color
Black primary thread wraps
Lightweight Fuji stripper guide optimally positioned for tight line nymphing
Hard chromed snake guides and tip-top
Snub nosed half-wells cork handle
Matte Black anodized aluminum down-locking reel seat
Rugged black nylon rod tube with divided liner
Reel matches (All have a full cage fame):
Sage ESN Reel
Galvan G.E.N. Reel
Bauer RVR Euro Reel
Fly line pairing recommendations:
RIO FIPS Euro Nymph Line
RIO Technical Euro Nymph Line
Again, if you’re in the market for a Euro Nymphing rod, and want to expand and improve your arsenal while increasing your hooking ratio, give the Sage Sense a good long look. You can thank me later…
See you out on the water.
GFS Team
JG
"The Gorge"
Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977
"Fly Fish the World with Us"
May 5, 2021
Bauer RVR Euro Nymph Fly Reel
These beautifully crafted reels push the limits of conventional machining to provide superior performance in defined trout angling situations. They are not just resized versions of a single design, but, depending on intended use, are optimized for specific applications through differing arbor diameters and capacities, proper torques, as well as weight that offers a perfectly balanced system. All reels feature our incredibly smooth, fully-sealed carbon fiber drag system.
Feb 26, 2021
European Style Nymphing (ESN), Why Do It
Why nymph fish at all?
The truth is the overwhelming majority of trout feeding behavior happens below the water’s surface. In fact most feeding activity happens around twelve inches off the river bottom. The answer is to catch fish when they are not feeding on the surface, i.e., most of the time. Let’s be honest, if you fish western rivers for trout you nymph fish a lot. Now I know nymph fishing isn’t for everyone, this article is for everyone else. Recently the European style of nymphing has gained in popularity and here’s why.
The Old Standard
Before we step into the whole “euro” nymph deal, let’s just back-up a bit and talk about standard nymph rigs. This is the standard western nymph rig; it’s worked for a long time. This system is out of date, and if you are still using it, you are losing too many flies, spending too much time re-rigging, and most importantly, not making good drift and not seeing most strikes. I know this is offensive, I though the same thing…at first.
The first problem with this set up is the strike indicator, often large and cumbersome, designed to float heavy flies and split shots. Here’s the problem; this thing is a mess from the get-go. The bobber is big – it creates drag because water on the surface is faster than water near the bottom (where we want our flies). So, even though we are now fishing heavy rods and heavy lines so we can chuck massive payloads in order to get our flies down on bottom, the strike indicator is pulling our flies off the bottom.
How do we fix this? For starters we cast faster upstream, stack mend the bobber above the flies and and continue mending. The weight sinks fast and creates a hinge point and hopefully the flies follow the flies to the bottom, but mostly we create slack.
There is no doubt our flies get eaten and we catch some fish doing this but it’s inefficient. The flies are rarely in the strike zone and on a tight line, that is why this is the least effective style of nymph fishing. This style of fishing is best suited to boat fishing and it sucks at that as well.
Drop shot nymphing
Simply put, drop shot nymphing is just that. See the diagram below, “standard”. Typically the spilt shot are placed above the flies in a standard nymph rig. In a drop shot rig the weight is dropped below the flies. Often times anglers will high stick drift a drop shot rig with out a bobber type strike indicator.
This is very similar to European nymphing but not quite. This is a very effective style of nymph fishing for trout. The current on the surface even when using a strike indicator is negated by the lead dragging and bouncing off the bottom, creating the angle needed to put the flies in the strike zone.
Frankly speaking, short line high sticking with this method is effective but I like it best for fishing indicators at distance and for extended drifts. Anglers lose very few flies fishing this technique due to the drop shot being on the bottom and the flies above.
Euro Nymphing
European Nymphing is a catch all term for Czech Nymphing, every European country has basically adapted their own style to the Czech style, it’s easier to just call it all “euro nymphing”. Euro nymphing is done with a longer lighter rod and a very long leader, a sighter, and up to three weighted flies and no split shot. For people familiar with “drift fishing” terminal tackle, this technique is similar.
The Euro Rig is extremely simple and effective for catching trout. Typically the fly line is very thin. The leaders are long and thin in diameter. Flies are weighted in accordance to the water the angler is fishing. Fly patterns are simple, very simple, presentation always trumps the pattern. The ideas is that the flies tumble along the bottom on a thigh line where the trout live. Strike detection is via a “sighter”, usually chartreuse and fluorescent orange in color with a blood knot at the junction and the knot tags in tact. Straight 5x for the length of the leader is typical so 10 to 10.5′ 3 weights is the norm. The only weakness to this technique is at distance. The farther away this rig is from the rod tip the more “sag” is created between the leader and the rod tip, thereby dragging the flies. Sag can be defeated with lighter lines and tippets two things which make casting harder and harder.
So lets talk about casting. Traditional nymphing rods lend themselves the best to overhead casting as well as roll casting. Typically 5-7 weight rods, way weight forward nymphing lines and flies in line heavier ones up top make this the go to set up for casting at distance. Drop shot its are built to fish not to cast but the way weight forward fly lines and the heavier rods can still be you friend and if you’re careful you can still cast this rig. Heavy emphasis on mending this without moving the strike indicator it needs to drag the flies. The “Euro Nymph” rig does not cast, it’s not built to cast it’s built to cut the resistance of the upper current speed. Fishing the Euro Rig is best done from 20-30′ max, the closer the better. The flies are extremely heavy and the tippet is extremely thin so tension casting is best. The flies can be cast further by shooting some line, the weight of the flies can carry the cast a long ways but remember with the rod tip up at distance you create sag, reducing your effectiveness dramatically.
Tackle
There are several European Style Nymphing rods available today, typically 10-11′, 2-4 weight rods. A soft tip is required to protect light tippets and to cast light rigs. Fly lines are very thin with very small to no loops at the end. The ends go through the guides while fighting fish and remember we are typically fishing 5x. Very small 3 or 4 turn nail knots are recommended. 20,15,12# Maxima Chameleon, a sighter material too tone, or amnesia if you have it or can find it, tippet rings or micro swivels. The reel needs to be heavy. Holding a rod tip up all day is hard on the shoulder muscles, the easier to keep that rod tip up the better. The flies make this style of fishing so you will need to tie your own or go to a shop than carries them.
Flies
The bottom fly is the “point” fly or the anchor fly. The point fly is normally the heaviest fly. The dropper fly is 16-20″above the point fly (see diagram). I like a variety of sizes of tungsten beachhead flies wrapped with lead for this style of fishing. Like I said before, presentation trumps pattern. Anglers need a variety of weighted flies to fish a variety of water speeds ad depths.
Dirty Euro Nymphing
In some instances, say you’ve lost all you’re heavy flies on the bottom but fishing is good and you wanna keep going. Don’t be afraid to rig your euro nymph rod with a drop shot rig. That’s right, try a drop shot rig on your ESN rod.
I started nymph fishing in 1992, and have been fishing a long time since. Playing with straight leaders, heavier flies, better strike indicators, etc. can’t fix the real problem, fighting two speeds of current and keeping a tight line. Euro nymphing, or modern nymphing techniques are becoming mainstream and for good reason, they minimize current speeds and keep the flies in the bite zone on a tight line making strikes not only easy to detect…you can actually feel them most of the time. If you enjoy catching fish and you enjoy nymphing, it’s time to modernize.
If you would like to learn more we offer on the water modern nymphing instruction as well as guided trips for trout on the lower Deschutes year round.
To book a trip or schedule instruction please contact me;
Sam Sickles | Steelhead Outfitters
I started nymph fishing in 1992, and have been fishing a long time since. Playing with straight leaders, heavier flies, better strike indicators, etc. can’t fix the real problem, fighting two speeds of current and keeping a tight line. Euro nymphing, or modern nymphing techniques are becoming mainstream and for good reason, they minimize current speeds and keep the flies in the bite zone on a tight line making strikes not only easy to detect…you can actually feel them most of the time. If you enjoy catching fish and you enjoy nymphing, it’s time to modernize.
If you would like to learn more we offer on the water modern nymphing instruction as well as guided trips for trout on the lower Deschutes year round.
To book a trip or schedule instruction please contact me;
Sam Sickles | Steelhead Outfitters
samsickles@gmail.com
541-400-0855
541-400-0855
Jan 24, 2021
Galvan Euro Nymph Fly Reels - In Stock!
Update: New G.E.N. Weight Kits are now available and In Stock!
Based on the popular and successful Torque Fly Reel the Galvan Euro Nymph features full caged frame for thin diameter line management.
Specialized techniques bring out the need for specialized gear. Long, euro nymph rods benefit from a large arbor reel that has some extra weight beyond your average trout reel.
 |
| GEN Weight Kit Sold Separately |
Meet the new Galvan G.E.N. or Simply put Galvan Euro Nymph. Based off the popular and proven design of the Galvan Torque.
Reel Specs -
| Model | Line | Capacity | Weight | Width |
| G.E.N. 3.5 | 2-5 | Comp Nymph Line + 100yds/20# | 4.96 oz | 0.90" |
| G.E.N. 3.7 | 2-5 | Comp Nymph Line + 100yds/20# | 5.40 oz | 0.95" |
"The Gorge"
Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977
"Fly Fish the World with Us"
May 28, 2020
Sage ESN Fly Reels
New for 2020, Sage ESN Fly Reel
An advanced, precision, fully machined aerospace grade aluminum fly reel designed specifically for European style nymph fishing
Dial in your ideal balance point with included interchangeable weights
Weights are index-able for further balance tuning
Every feature carefully thought out to match technique
Sage ESN
Do you carry at least two colors of sighter material in your pack? Know how much each of your flies weigh in grains? Take every opportunity to bend your buddies' ear on silver vs copper bead colors or the latest version of a squirmy wormy fly? If these things sound familiar, then you're probably hooked on European Style Nymphing. And if you are, you know a reel is much more than just a line holder.In steps the Sage ESN reel. Packed with a suite of specialty features, this reel is designed specifically with the Euro-Nymph angler in mind and is fine tuned to the nuances of the application. Built around a super thin and large diameter arbor, this design now makes it easier to get fish on the reel quickly, minimizing the need to guide line onto the spool with your finger, all while providing consistent drag output. A unique balance system allows anglers to assemble and fine tune a set of weights, so the ESN reel can perfectly balance any Euro Nymphing (or standard) rod. Add in a full frame that prevents fine leaders and lines from sneaking through the frame and sealed carbon drag system that provides a smooth uptake - leaving you with the ultimate fish-catching machine.
The ESN reel comes in one size, containing 3 interchangeable accessory weights (1/2oz, 1oz, and 1 1/2oz), and is appropriate for dialing in any Euro Nymphing setup on the market.
BENEFITS
- Dial-in Balance Point With 3 "Indexable" Accessory Weights
- Ultra-Large Arbor For Faster More Immediate Retrieval
- Full-Frame Line Security
- Full Frame - SCS Drag
- One Revolution Drag Knob with numbered and detented setting
- Ultra-Large arbor for fast line pick-up
- Narrower spool for small volume ESN lines
- Concave arbor for greater strength and capacity
- Fully machined 6061-T6 aerospace grade aluminum
- Cold forged and tempered for superior strength and rigidity
- Hard anodized for surface protection and corrosion resistance
- Ergonomic handle
- Easy conversion from left- to right-hand retrieve
- Neoprene and embroidered ballistic nylon reel case & spare weight case
- SIZE One Size (FIPS Line + 75yds/20lb)
Specifications -
| MODEL | Weight (oz) | Capacity | Diameter (in) | Width (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESN | 4 15/16 | RIO FIPS Line+75yds/20lb | 3 7/8 | 1 1/16 |
Shop Sage Fly Reels
"The Gorge"
Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977
"Fly Fish the World with Us"
May 16, 2020
Redington Strike Euro Style Nymph Rod - New for 2020
Built for tight-line and Euro-style nymphing techniques
The medium-fast action of the STRIKE is finished with an extra-sensitive tip section for superior presentation control and strike sensitivity. With an ultralight, skeletonized reel seat and single-foot snake guides, we’ve reduced the overall weight of the STRIKE to help you stay out on the water longer with less fatigue. And to help you create your ideal set-up, the STRIKE features an extended handle so you can pair it with your reel of choice and still find the perfect balance point. So, whether you’re trying to qualify for the world championships or just enjoying being the top rod amongst your buddies, the STRIKE rod is designed to give you the unfair advantage.
Features
- Medium-fast action, with extra-sensitive tip section allows detection of the subtlest of strikes
- Extended handle allowing the angler to find the perfect balance point regardless of reel choice without increasing weight to the rod
- Skeletonized, CNC machined, anodized aluminum reel seat with Micro-fighting butt
- Black single-foot guides to reduce overall weight
- Unpainted blank for stealth appearance, reduced weight and to prevent rod flash
- Epoxy-coated section tips to prevent sticking
- Includes durable cordura rod tube with built-in rod dividers
- Lifetime warranty
Rod Specs -
| Model | Handle | Length | Line | Weight (oz) |
| 3100-4 | A | 10' | 3 | 3.1 |
| 3106-4 | A | 10'6" | 3 | 3.2 |
| 3110-4 | A | 11' | 3 | 3.3 |
| 4100-4 | A | 10' | 4 | 3.5 |
| 4110-4 | A | 11' | 4 | 3.6 |
"The Gorge"
Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977
"Fly Fish the World with Us"
May 14, 2020
Sage ESN Fly Reel - New for 2020
Meet the New Sage ESN Fly Reel.
All the technology had to come out to develop a reel to meet these demands.- Large arbor, narrow spool for better line management and quicker retrieves.
- Full cage frame for line management.
- Index-able weight system for rod balance.
- Index-able sealed drag system
ESN comes in two colors. Chipotle to match the Sage ESN Fly Rod or Stealth, for all out no flash setup.
"The Gorge"
Gorge Fly Shop Team - 541.386.6977
"Fly Fish the World with Us"
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