Setting The Hook While Nymphing

All about trout fishing in the great Garden State!
Post Reply
User avatar
BiggerThomas
Posts: 469
Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2018 1:44 pm
Location: Whenever somebody's looking to be free...look in their eyes--you'll see me.

Setting The Hook While Nymphing

Post by BiggerThomas » Fri Jan 08, 2021 4:18 pm

Now that I've been fly fishing for almost 20 years, I'm beginning to reflect on how some basics were taught to me when I first started out. It's also come time for me to begin teaching my sons those basics. Setting the hook while nymphing is one of them.

I had learned to lift the rod tip straight up during a strike--that was the general rule of thumb no matter where in the drift the trout struck. However, my approach now is: If the fish hits upstream of where you're standing, pull the rod downstream. If the fish hits even or downstream of where you're standing, pull the rod in a direction that's halfway between downstream and the bank behind you.

What's your approach to this basic mechanic?
"Most anglers spend their lives in making rules for trout, and trout spend theirs in breaking them."

-From Letters to Young Fly-Fishers, (1926) Sir George Aston,

Vance
Posts: 104
Joined: Thu Apr 19, 2018 5:56 pm

Re: Setting The Hook While Nymphing

Post by Vance » Sat Jan 09, 2021 7:46 am

Hello, If the trout is down stream from where I am standing and if it to my left then I strike at about 45 degree angle to my right. If trout is to my right then 45 degree angle to my left. Trout left strike right, trout right strike left. This is no matter if fish is up stream or down stream. This is just the way I have been doing it forever. Nobody ever taught me how to do it. Bill the mailman

User avatar
BiggerThomas
Posts: 469
Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2018 1:44 pm
Location: Whenever somebody's looking to be free...look in their eyes--you'll see me.

Re: Setting The Hook While Nymphing

Post by BiggerThomas » Sat Jan 09, 2021 8:29 am

Good advice, Bill/Vance. I would also add that once the fish has been hooked, rod angle becomes important. I try to keep the rod around 45 degrees from the surface water plane.
"Most anglers spend their lives in making rules for trout, and trout spend theirs in breaking them."

-From Letters to Young Fly-Fishers, (1926) Sir George Aston,

Vance
Posts: 104
Joined: Thu Apr 19, 2018 5:56 pm

Re: Setting The Hook While Nymphing

Post by Vance » Sat Jan 09, 2021 8:10 pm

Hello Bigger, What you wrote is what I do also. Bill

MickyFinn
Posts: 69
Joined: Mon Jul 06, 2020 4:25 pm

Re: Setting The Hook While Nymphing

Post by MickyFinn » Mon Jan 11, 2021 1:51 pm

I had to admit it, but I may have lost some fish lately by playing them with a too-flat (horizontal) arched rod. Or the small fly's hook pulled out? :?:

User avatar
lightenup
Posts: 684
Joined: Thu Apr 19, 2018 12:35 pm

Re: Setting The Hook While Nymphing

Post by lightenup » Mon Jan 11, 2021 3:28 pm

Ya'll think too much!!!;)

Fishybig
Posts: 326
Joined: Fri Dec 13, 2019 6:43 am

Re: Setting The Hook While Nymphing

Post by Fishybig » Mon Jan 11, 2021 3:32 pm

lightenup wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 11, 2021 3:28 pm
Ya'll think too much!!!;)
Ya think? 😜

User avatar
BiggerThomas
Posts: 469
Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2018 1:44 pm
Location: Whenever somebody's looking to be free...look in their eyes--you'll see me.

Re: Setting The Hook While Nymphing

Post by BiggerThomas » Mon Jan 11, 2021 4:49 pm

lightenup wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 11, 2021 3:28 pm
Ya'll think too much!!!;)
Why am I not surprised a guy who goes by "lightenup" wrote that? :lol:
"Most anglers spend their lives in making rules for trout, and trout spend theirs in breaking them."

-From Letters to Young Fly-Fishers, (1926) Sir George Aston,

User avatar
lightenup
Posts: 684
Joined: Thu Apr 19, 2018 12:35 pm

Re: Setting The Hook While Nymphing

Post by lightenup » Mon Jan 11, 2021 8:27 pm

BiggerThomas wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 11, 2021 4:49 pm
lightenup wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 11, 2021 3:28 pm
Ya'll think too much!!!;)
Why am I not surprised a guy who goes by "lightenup" wrote that? :lol:
There are several ways to take my screen name..lightenup, or lightenup...or perhaps, lightenup


I find I catch more fish when I lightenup

Boy, my fish catching is lightenup like a pinball machine today..

What are you lightenup over there? Can I have some?

Holy crap bro, lightenup
...πŸ˜›πŸ˜πŸ˜‹πŸ˜³πŸ˜˜

User avatar
BiggerThomas
Posts: 469
Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2018 1:44 pm
Location: Whenever somebody's looking to be free...look in their eyes--you'll see me.

Re: Setting The Hook While Nymphing

Post by BiggerThomas » Tue Jan 12, 2021 11:29 am

lightenup wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 11, 2021 8:27 pm
BiggerThomas wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 11, 2021 4:49 pm
lightenup wrote: ↑
Mon Jan 11, 2021 3:28 pm
Ya'll think too much!!!;)
Why am I not surprised a guy who goes by "lightenup" wrote that? :lol:
There are several ways to take my screen name..lightenup, or lightenup...or perhaps, lightenup


I find I catch more fish when I lightenup

Boy, my fish catching is lightenup like a pinball machine today..

What are you lightenup over there? Can I have some?

Holy crap bro, lightenup
...πŸ˜›πŸ˜πŸ˜‹πŸ˜³πŸ˜˜
Impressive. :ugeek:
"Most anglers spend their lives in making rules for trout, and trout spend theirs in breaking them."

-From Letters to Young Fly-Fishers, (1926) Sir George Aston,

User avatar
Rusty Spinner
Posts: 1225
Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2018 6:35 pm
Location: Flanders, NJ
Contact:

Re: Setting The Hook While Nymphing

Post by Rusty Spinner » Wed Jan 13, 2021 10:32 am

The easiest way to remember setting the hook regardless of what method of fishing and for what species is to set towards the fish's tail. If you think like that, you will set the hook more often although it will never work out you can do that 100% of the time. But that should be the goal. Now for circle hooks..........
"A sinking fly is closer to Hell" - Unknown

Post Reply