The Secret to Nymph Fishing // Drop Mend for Strike Indicator Fishing

This might be the best tip ever for nymph fishing. Often called a "drop mend" "pivot mend" or "anchor mend" - this trick will allow you to drop that nymph down fast and get your indicator to float right over the top and you can control the speed of the indicator. Surface currents are about 4X faster than the currents your nymph should be in, so this overhand style mending gives you the control you need to slowly drive the indicator where it needs to go.

0:00 Intro
1:25 The Problem With Indicators
2:15 TWO Solutions
3:12 The Correct Solution
4:14 Typical Mends
4:50 Overhand Mending... LIFE Changing.
6:40 Bonus Tip. Steering the Indicator.

Connect with Red's :

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[DUBV]

Paradigm shifting for a (so he thought) decent fly fisherman.

Thank you very much.

[FlyFishDan]

That is a GREAT tip - it’s going to take some practice, but I am absolutely going to give this a try!

[juanbenavides]

When you demonstrated the typical mends my jaw dropped because that’s exactly what I did for 5 hours straight earlier today with no bites. Glad I found this video

[pmdun]

Love the way you set up your camera in front of you to demonstrate suspension nymphing. Well done Joe.👍

[devinshook]

I have been doing this lately. Didnt know it was an actual technique lol. I just always try to put my flies in front of my indicator through mending.

[joeg]

I love seeing these kind of tip videos and realizing I figured it out on my own and have been doing it that way for years😃

[carsondyle]

I’ve been the worst nymph fisherman for 40 years. My confidence is shot before I even tie on a fly. Your videos will keep me trying to improve

[ojchart]

Enjoyed the video. Excellent tip on controlling the flow of your indicator. I've been using what I call "Indicator Mends" for many years. You are so right about keeping your nymph at fish feed levels (which most times is near bottom). The varying speeds of current (Top vs Bottom) is not understood by many a flyfisher. Fishing from a moving drift boat changes things.

[trout-and-steelhead-university]

I've been doing this for over 20 years, you are correct, it takes all the pull off the fly so it sinks fast, just be careful about doing this overtop of weary browns and steelhead because flipping that fly line and indicator over their heads can spook them. The key is to do it immediately when the fly lands and set the fly up deep prior to the fly running through the area where the fish are.

[leighowen]

Nice one Joe. With regards to mending I like to think of it as pushing line, not pulling line.

[lonewizzard]

Thank you. My best indicator days have been short casts, a mend and a high stick. I'd rather strip and/or swing but there's no reason to be a hard head.

[MScottyW]

I'll say this might be the second-best tip you've ever given. Your right angle, "California", setup was a game-changer for me and you're using it in this video I see. Combining that tackle setup with this mending style, yes, best nymphing tip ever!

[drmjruff]

Welcome to understanding non laminar flow. I tend to use a very bright very small piece of something so fairly close to the top fly 18"-24". Then with the very small indicator I am not fighting the drag of the indicator. Often my indicator will sink, however, as it is that close to the fly, I will actually see the fish flash on the fly. I use this in heavy spring run off. I like your ideas for different conditions.

[bumpsandriffles]

I think too many people are afraid to move the indy when they mend. I have always done this because it just made sense in my head, cool to know its an actual technique!

[Riverbugger]

Great info Joe. Hitting the river today and will explore this technique for sure since I will be strike indicator fishing!! Always a great day fly fishing eh!! Stay safe!!

[bradynlyon]

Really great info, I always learn great real world tips from your videos, and love your podcast
Thank you

[wvlongshooter]

Great content!! That’s some slick mending!!! I just bought a Sage r8 10’ 4 wt, Sage arbor xl and a Sage Trout LL 9’ 4 wt from Reds fly shop. The r8 10’ 4 wt is an awesome smaller Stillwater rod. The trout LL is unreal for throwing small bwo’s on my small streams. I just received this gear within the last week or so and Im catching fish on both. Thank you for your quick shipping I trust you folks when I want to purchase expensive items…..

[emilleum]

😊that is so good, I have never even seeing that secret in any trout book, videos, or ever heard before, thank you so much, Mil. Ret., Disabled vet., MSG Leum

[classiclobbyz]

Thank you for the tip, definitely will be trying this on the water next time

[robertdenully]

Thanks Joe, I love the New Zealand indicator. Great info as always.. Thanks…..