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Setting The Hook While Nymphing

Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2021 4:18 pm
by BiggerThomas
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?

Re: Setting The Hook While Nymphing

Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2021 7:46 am
by Vance
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

Re: Setting The Hook While Nymphing

Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2021 8:29 am
by BiggerThomas
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.

Re: Setting The Hook While Nymphing

Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2021 8:10 pm
by Vance
Hello Bigger, What you wrote is what I do also. Bill

Re: Setting The Hook While Nymphing

Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2021 1:51 pm
by MickyFinn
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? :?:

Re: Setting The Hook While Nymphing

Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2021 3:28 pm
by lightenup
Ya'll think too much!!!;)

Re: Setting The Hook While Nymphing

Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2021 3:32 pm
by Fishybig
lightenup wrote:
Mon Jan 11, 2021 3:28 pm
Ya'll think too much!!!;)
Ya think? 😜

Re: Setting The Hook While Nymphing

Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2021 4:49 pm
by BiggerThomas
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:

Re: Setting The Hook While Nymphing

Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2021 8:27 pm
by lightenup
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
...😛😝😋😳😘

Re: Setting The Hook While Nymphing

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2021 11:29 am
by BiggerThomas
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
...😛😝😋😳😘
Impressive. :ugeek:

Re: Setting The Hook While Nymphing

Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2021 10:32 am
by Rusty Spinner
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..........