The Dry Dropper Rig is my favorite ways to have my clients fish here on the Cache La Poudre River, Big Thompson River and in the Rocky Mountain National Park. The number one reason is you will be fishing the surface and a sub-surface zones simultaneously. You can cast and fish as if you were working a dry fly but it also allows you to fish as you would with an indicator nymph rig. Seriously why can’t your indicator hook fish as well. When casting this rig with a back and forth cast makes sure to open your casting arc sightly. Depending on the size and weight of your dropper you could get a nasty knot with those tight loops.
- Start by attaching tippet to your 9 ft or 7.5 ft. leader. I usually attached about 10 to 12 inches to my clients leader. Just a personal preference here. Clinch knot use here.
- Select your dry fly. Attractor patterns are what most people think here. Its up to you. Depending on the time of year I might have a Mayfly Pattern on top and my dropper will be an Mayfly Emerger.
- At the bend of the Dry Fly hook attach another piece of Tippet. Length depends on the depth you want to get your dropper to. I use a clinch knot here. I have found that attaching to the bend is the most effective way of not getting a tangled mess.
- Finally attach your dropper. I prefer droppers with a bead. I want the fly to get down and ride about 45 degrees behind my top fly. Clinch knot used here.
Its a simple yet every effective way to fish. The flies below are our most effective two flies for the dry dropper rig June to September.
